Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-24
For the Public Health.

To the Editor Of The Evening star.
While the garbage question" and others Of
no less importance are subjects Of daily discus
sion in the papers of the District will cite a
case Of an aggravating character-one OF many
existing in the suburban sections of the CITY,
which are q menace to the health of the near
nelghborhoOds. causing Offense and discomfort
to citizens For the removal or abatement of
these disgusting nuisances it is said no lawful
provision exists of which either the health de-
partment or Commissioners OF the District can
avail themselves
Passing on Saturday last across an omen
space near 18th street northeast and less than a
square distant from MARYLAND avenue, now so
handsomely paved and rapidly improving by
the erection Of neat, substantial brick dwellings,
two eoIored iaborers were observed digging
ditch some four rods In length, the lower ed
al the location of public sewer, the other aim
ing for large sinking pool of putrid water
occupying a large depression in or near the
center OF an open tract A gentleman, over
seeing the Job, stood near the wOrkmen The
situation and the nOlsOme smell emanatinp
from the cesspool, nearly as large as an aver,
age city lot, revealed the purpose Of the
trench without any special inquiry But a
casual remark from me commencing the object
oil The little private enterprise of top draining
caused the gentle man TO ask me If L WAS CON.
neeted with the department of public health
mo" i replied. but feel a citizen interest
IN any WORK, public OF private, that il for the
betterment of health Conditions" / learned
that this disgusting pool, which could be
sn4eAed rods away, was just behind the resi-
dence OF the gentleman who, had voluntarily
a. lis own expense, undertaken the abatement
OF this nuisance to goodly number of families
In the vicinity.
why are you obliged to do this work?'' I
asked- '-BeeaUs," SAID he, Il found there was
no provision IN the law for the authorities to
do anything for the removal Of the miserable
sinking pond; at least was 80 informed after
applying to the District Commissioners. The
doctors tell ME that We are in danger of having
typhoid fever or diphtheria, and 1 would not
endue II any longer. but concluded to take the
business into my own hands"
do you own this lot.' l inquired
NO, was the reply. Il suppose il belongs
TO some syndicate or Spectator, some ground
hog who would not lift a finger nor spend a
cent to improve the situation Tor the people in
this part Of the city"
but have you any authority to go digging up a
man land in this way! Are you not committing
stre.psss in performing this act Of mercy and
keneyolence!'
Yes; have no doubt i am a trespasser. -
said the predetermined citizen, and NAV he
prosecuted under the statutes for the punish.
ment Of trespass, but, il am, don't believe
the damage would be very much. At any rate
I am bound 70 have a little better atmosphere
around here than has been prevailing for some
time past"
The circumstances and conversation here de-
tailed are evidence of q shameful aud mex
cus@ble lack Of legal precautionary measure,
Tor the prevention of disease during the mos
trying season of the year. One can hardl,
help thinking Of the saying concerning the
needle eye and the camel when he observe,
how severely the utterance OF Just one little
damn IL punished by the police authorities
when whole lakes OF putrescence and larg,
areas of foul water are kept from surface
drainage by great big dams Of
solid earth, because there is no law
for its remedy Ii would seem q fitting meas
ure for the removal Of such causes Of public
onense a. / have described IL the Law should
require every person owning a tract Of lanC
upon which such a rank-smeihng pool existed
to cause its removal. or be liable TO prosecu
ton for maintaining n nuisance. The absence
II any authority vested in the District govern
nent for the immediate removal of notorious
causes Of disease and public ofense is deseryins
~ attention Of the Av-makins power.
q. r.