Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-06
COLLECTION OF GARBAGE.
The Health Onicer's Report of Complaints
some Important Suggestions Made.

The Health Oncer's Report of Complaints
Some Important Suggestions Made.
Health Officer Townshend transmitted to the
Commissioners on Friday letter accompany
ing the first report giving all data in relation
10 complaints regarding the collection Of gar
bage.
IL lie a somewhat remarkable showing for a
city Of 250, 600 population to have during the
month of June an average Of only two COM
plants day. The doctors suggestions will
commend themselves to thoughtful citizens.
The letter is as follows:
Referring TO the order Of the Commission
ers Of June 2, 1891, directing the health officer
to keep q correct account of each complaint
of dereliction on the part Of the contractor for
collection Of garbage and transmit copy of the
same to this office at the end of each month.
and the further requirement contained in in
dorsement on NV letter Of June 8. to the effect
that the report should show from the record
how may DAYS the garbage collector was dere-
hct In each case, i have the honor to present
the accompanying report.
The report shows during the month Of June
sixty-six complaints made by citizens. being a
fraction over an average Of two per day.
This being the first report transmitted in
connection with this subject would call atten-
ton To the fact that previous to June the adj
ditional data required not in all cases col
lectsd- IL IL very hard matter to secure in
formation Of character which will enable US
10 arrive at an exact conclusion as to the regu-
larity of the collector, taking the statement of
the complainant and that Of the collector to-
gether. They are usually at wide variance, and
the inspection service Is not sufficient to do
other than ascertain the facts presented
from the two sides of the question
In connection with this report / would call
attention to my letter of June IS, together with
What sail the subject of garbage cOllec-
tion in my annual report OF last year.
IL is unfortunate that everything should be
required of the collectors in the garbage service
and nothing of the citizen here. In most other
cities the householder is required to place
the garbage that IL NAV be readily taken by
the collector on his rounds without having to
wait upon the time of the housekeeper or the
servant on the premises. Long delays inevita-
bly, occur from waiting at the gates in this city
of alleys, and the failure to respond 20 calls is
the principal cause of neglect so often COM
planned Of
IL is difficult TO secure and retain the services
Of responsible collectors in this service and
there appears to be a continual warfare between
the collector and the kitchen help Of dwell
ings-
The itinerant gatherers, to whom permission
Is given 10 collect garbage from certain dwell
Jngs. number today 166 and they interfere to a
considerable extent with the regular collectors
by reason of failure. for one cause or another
to collect Many of them countrymen of
the poorer classes who possess either a COW or
two or hog or two and any little mishap
which prevents their coming to the city calls
forth from the householder a complaint, not
against them. but against the regular collector.
Some regulation providing for the proper
disposition Of garbage by the householder SO
that il may be readily taken by the col
the Commissioners will give this matter their
early consideration.