Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-20

| more
years the entire garbage from . house has
been allowed to accumulate in tho back yard,
the only thing done to suppress the nuisance
being to occasionally throw on IL the ashes
from the house.
1--WE further learn that the inspectors we're
informed by the residents within the city
proper that they had never seen q garbage
gatherer and did not know that such a service
existed. During the heated term the health
once has been overwhelmed with complaints
OF the failure Of the contractor to remove the
garbage, even in the most thickly settled por-
tons Of the city. 1t is almost beyond belief
that such state of affairs could exist here in
the national capital, but the proof is over
whelming."
VARIOUS MATTERS CONSIDERED.
The committee urge .he importance Of a
prompt service and incorporation Of citizens
in rendering the service effective as possible,
and call attention to the difficulty here. owing
to the great territorial area and the suburban
settlements covered by the present municipal
government Tho suggestion that hotels,
markets and commission houses should be re-
CURED to remove their own. garbage is con-
sldered, and the committee conclude that aside
from the incorporated market companies, 1.-The
service should include all such establishments
as well as private families, and that the whole
service should be under the supervision of the
health office, to the end that it shall be eff
ciently and promptly executed"
The committee think to that the frequent
removal OF ashes should be included. either in
the garbage, street cleaning the alley clean
ing service. They argue also that an increase
OF the force of the health office is necessary to
enable tina: Office to properly perform its
duties. I'VE were surprised to learn" says
the report, 'that that office is not pro-
vided with means for analysing milk,
water or food products, to determine
their fitness or unfitness for consumption,
and that there is no provision for inspecting
the milk sold and which it is universally agreed
IL the most prolific source of sickness among
infants and children of any article used as
human food. We are aware that there is o
provision by which an analy sis can be obtained
at the internal revenue bureau but the obsta-
cles are such that it is not available to the mass
OF citizens and therefore does not supply this
urgent need"
PLANS CONSIDERED.
Tie report gives the result of the commit
tees consideration of various plans for the dis
posal of garbage. The plan OF cremation the
report says. is believed to be the most efficient
and healthful. as it would destroy absolutely
all decaying and offensive matter.
Another plan is the chemical destruction of
the matter. but which the committee are in
formed has not been successful as yet. From
such evidence as the committee has been able
to obtain they are not prepared to recommend
the adoption OF any Of these plans here at the
picSeAt tiue.
AN INVESTIGATION RECOMMENDED.
1.-THE absence Of definite information in re-
gard to the various methods and plans for
gathering and disposing Of garbage" says the
| report, ''has impressed the committee with the
propriety and necessity of providing for a
thorough investigation of the subject at an
| early day, looking to the adoption as soon as
may be hereafter of the best plan available as
a permanent solution of the question:
The national capital certainly ought to have
the very best, and inasmuch as Congress from
1878 to date has authorized the expenditure of
some $40 600 for investigating the sewerage
question and the preparation of plans for the
District, it is reasonable to suppose that
there should be but little difficulty in securing
n small amount for this purpose. more
especially as it is a matter that Affects not only
| the health of Members and Senators with such
members Of their families as spend their seasons
here, but still more that of the President and
other officials and employees of the government.
who, with their families, reside here the entire
season.
THE CONTRACT SYSTEM PREFERRED AT PRESENT.
The committee discuss at some length the
question whether it would not be better for
the District to perform the service itself and
concluded not to recommend that the District
undertake the service at this time. ''Some time
in the future" the report says "when some
other plan shall have been definitely
| agreed upon, after proper investiga-
ton, and adopted as a permanent plan.
it may be best for the District to undertake
the service itself, but in the present condition
OF affairs we are Of the opinion that the only
feasible plan is to have it done by contract A
contractor can do it cheaper than the District
because he can find other service for his
surplus teams and men when not needed in
the service, while under the present system the
District cannot.
The committee urge as just and proper that
the District should have entire control of dead
| animals, and suggest that Congress should
give the District officials the necessary author
LARGE APPROPRIATION URGED.
The committee think the work cannot be
properly done for the amount formerly appro-
priated. the annual average received by The
contractor during the last four years being
SIG, SIS. 1t is suggested that the cost of the
service can be reduced by the use BY house
holders Of proper vessels for garbage, 80 placed
that they can be emptied at once by the gar
bage collectors.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In view Of the foregoing facts, the report
says in conclusion, the committee would re-
| commend as follows:
1. That regulations should be adopted and
enforced, requiring all garbage to be stored in
metallic vessels, not to exceed one bushel
| fitting covers, to be kept on at all times except
| when depositins or removing the contents Of
the vessel.
Our reasons for this are that wooden vessels
soon become saturated and are of themselves
offensive. They frequently leak, thus saturat-
| ing the soil where they stand with the offensive
and disease-producing matter. By this limita-
ton in size (Which is the same as adopted in
Baltimore) they can be picked up and instantly
emptied.
Two styles Of receptacles were shown us at
the health Office. either of which is well adapted
to the purpose, provided they are made
Of metal. The ore made Of galvanized
sheet metal and arranged to tip through
| an opening in the back fence or wall
seems to be admirably adapted to the purpose
as it can be emptied instantly without entering
| the premises and avoids the necessity or pos
sibility Of any delay in waiting for the servant
to open gates, &c.
2. That all persons be required to place their
garbage receptacles where they can be got at
and emptied without delay, either ty hanging
| them as above stated SO that they can be
emptied from the alley side of the fence o. wall
or by placing them in the alley adjoining their
premises.
In cases where there is no alley, that the re-
ceptacle shall be placed in the area or set out
| near the curb on the sidewalk at specified
hour, and which, Of course, would have to be
varied in different sections according to the
time OF day which the section would be reached
by the team In making the round in its district
or route.
On the business streets and in the more
densely settled portions, and especially where
1t has TO be gathered from the areas or aide-