The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-05
TO CLEAN THE CITY STREETS.
The Question Discussed by the Committee
and The Board Of Health.
BOTH BODIES WILL WORK TOGETHER.
A Number Of improvements to be Made ut
Once Lookingto the Health of the Town
Carts and How 10 Secure Them.

special meeting of the Committee on
Streets of the City Council was held last
evening in the Office of the City Engineer.
Chairman Capers and Messrs. Bahen, Brauer,
II. H. Carter. j. W. Carter. Turpin and
Thomas were present
The Chair stated that city ordinance now
in existence empowered the Board of Health
to call on the Street Committee at any time
when they deemed it necessary for the tenn
porary transfer Of the hands and carts under
the jurisdiction Of tho committee to do work
in the interest of the public health Of the city.
Major Capers explained that while no such
request had been made by the Board of
Health as yet he had considered the advis-
ability Of Offering the hands and carts at the
disposal of the committee TO assist the health
officials in cleaning the streets of the city.
However, he did not want to take it upon
himself 10 issue any order to that effect unless
the majority OF the members Of the
committee should share his views.
Colonel Cutshsw had that day thor
Oughly inspected tho city, and from what he
had learned about the condition Of the streets,
he thought il might be expedient TO tendere
the services of the hands and carts to assist
III Ile cleaning OI lIe CITY.
Captain Curtis thought that any action on
the part Of the committee TO that effect
might create a bad precedent. The Board of
Health had ample funds on hand TO hire all
the help needed.
Mr. j. w. Carter moved that the matter be
left to the City Engineer, who should lie
authorized to transfer all the help the Board
OF Health might need, provided they could be
spared.
OPPOSED IT.
Captain Curtis was opposed TO the motion
for the reason that the committee had a great
deal of necessary work on hand which would
permit no delay.
Alr. Baken also spoke against the motion
and Colonel Cutsbaw was requested to give
his Vows.
Colonel Cutshaw did not see any more rea-
son for the Street Committee 10 volunteer the
services OF the hands and carts at their dis
posal than il would be TO ask for tho horses
of the Fire Department. The Board of
Health had a large appropriation on hand.
which was four times larger than IL had been
ten years ago. They had permanent
force which they could use. and they
had in addition hired six carts and hands
10 haul lime. They could lust as well have Il
dozen carts OF more if necessary. He had
inspected the district in this city where diph-
liberia and other diseases were said 10 prevail
and had found the condition in what was
known as Penitentlary bottom 10 be very
bad. In some places the drainage was en-
tirely missing but most OF the defects should
have been remedled a year ago. In some
places the proper sewer connections were
wanting and elsewhere the property should
have been filled in II the force of the Street
Committee was used for that purpose il might
take six months 10 fill in all the private lots
where II was necessary.
HIRE THE CARTS.
He thought the better way would be for the
Board of Health 10 hire the necessary number
of carts and hands. If the Street Committee
was IN need of extra help they would GER
tainly not 60 10 the Board of Health for it.
DR.. Oppenhimer wanted il understood that
Major Capers had not taken this step at his
solicitation II the committee should Of
their own accord choose 70 give him
the use Of their hands and carts.
he would Of course accept it. but other
wise he would hire more carts on account
Of the Board Of Health. and he thought that
he would be able 10 cope with the difficulties.
II the work bad not been done which Colonel
Cutshaw spoke of il was the fault Of the
Street Committee. for he had recommended
it during the past three years.
Mr.. Turpln said that be had never heard of
any such recommendations as coming from
the Board of Health.
Dr. Oppenhimer explained that he had often
recommended that certain work be done to
alleys and culverts. and he mad no doubt that
it would have been carried out if the necessary
funds had been available.
THE DRAINAGE.
Mr. H. /. Carter complained that in certain
sections Of the city there was no drainage
and he thought that the Street Committee
might combine their efforts with the Board
OF Health to remedy such evils. In his opin-
ion tie whole trouble came from a conflict of
authority be tween the two bodies
Colonel Cutshaw thought that there was no
conflict of authority, and DR.. Oppenhimer
admitted that il was his duty 10 look after
these things. but he had been unable 10 do
SO because he hadn't sufficient force at his
disposal.
Mir. II. l.. Carter insisted that the commit
tee should transfer their force rather than
make the Board of Health go to en- extra ex-
penditure of money.
Dr. Oppenhimer stated that he could hire
hands and carts cheaper than the Street Com
mittee could furnish them. and that he was
perfectly willing TO hire them. He added
that it was not absolutely necessary for him
to hire the hands and carts of tho Street Com
mittee
Mr.. Thomas stated that the excavatofs had
very little work 10 do at present. and that
therefore hands and carts could De hired at
present much cheaper than at other times II
il was absolutely necessary. he would give his
consent that the Board of Health use the
hands and carts Of the Street Committee. but
under existing circumstances il would be
cheaper for them 10 hire additional carts.
Mr.. j. w. Carter withdrew his motion at
this point.
TO ASSIST THE BOARD.
Colonel Cutshaw said that if DR.. Open
himer would indicate where proper draining
should be done the force OF the Street Com
mittee could be put at work within all hours
notice.
Mr. Turpin moved that the Street Commit
tee pledge their hearty support and co-opera-
ton with the health department 10 advance
the health Of the city III every way when the
occasion should require it. The motion was
carried.
A communication from the Board Of Health
was then read which recommended the fol-
lowing important Improvements:
LIST. That the alley between Marshall and
Clay and Hancock and Harrison streets be run
through.
I'd. That a culvert be run in the alley be-
tween First and Foushee and Canal and Byrd
streets.
30. That cuivert be run on Canal street
between FIRST and Foushee streets.
18th That a culvert be run on Foushee street
between Canal and Byrd streets.
Mr. Turpin offered a resolution to tho effect
that the committee recommend TO the City
Council TO have the work in question done
at once inasmuch as, unless the work WAS