Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-05
WILLHELP CLEAN UP.
THE STREET COMMITTEE OFFERS TO
ASSIST THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
A Special Meeting Of this Bodv-Penitcn-
tiary Bottom Needs Attention
and VIII Get II.

A called meeting of the Committee of
Streets was held in the Office Of the City
Engineer last evening. Major Capers. the
chairman. and Messrs Bahen. Brauer.
II. l.. and J. w. Carter. Curtis. Turpin,
Thomas, and White, were present. Tho
chairman stated that he had called the
body together for the purpose of laying
before the committee a proposition to
offer to tho Board Of Health the hands
and carts of the Street Department during
the present condition Of the city's health.
lie said that an ordinance governing this
department allowed such action when 1t
was asked in case of an emergency, but
that he thought it would be both proper
and courteous in the body to proffer such
aid even without the asking.
Mr.. j. w. Carter stated that the Chair
mans views exactly conceded with his
own, and he moved that the City Engineer
be instructed to render any and every "a
sistance possible 10 the board during the
present state of affairs.
Mr.. Curtis said he thought the Board of
Health could get the funds necessary for
cleaning the city without taking the hands
and carts from their present work.
THE CITY ENGINEEB UPos THE QUESTION.
Colonel Cutshaw was called upon for his
views, and said be saw no more reason for
rendering the board the street depart
ment's teams than for the fire department
to offer its horses and trucks.
We found the condition Of things in
the penitentIary bottom TO be very bad"
said the City. Engineer. "These arc
things that should have been remedied
years ago. We could go and work in those
private lots for six months. As l under
stand it, the Board of Health wants our
teams to haul lime. Now | think the
Board had better get the Council to make
q small appropriation and allow it to hire
carts outside the department"
WILL HIRE TEAMS ENOUGH.
DR.. Oppenhimer, who was present,
stated that he thought it due to himself
that he should state he did not ask of the
committee that they should contribute the
mules and carts for the use of the Health
Department. but that if it were done he
would be very thankful, though if it we're
found impracticable he would hire more
teams. anyway for this purpose.
He said he bad recommended certain
measures for the improvement of the con-
dition of certain sections in penitentiary
bottom a year ago, and he wanted here to
impress forcibly upon the committee the
necessity of onsideration-matured con-
sideration of the Board of Health.
WILLING TO GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE.
Mr.. II. L. Carter thought that in the pre-
sent state of affairs the Street Department
ought to be put on record az willing to do
ANYTHING to remedy matters, especially
such draining and cleaning as is necessary I;
that the committee should lend helping
hand.
Il see," said Mr.. Carter, THAT there is
dereliction either ON the part of the Com
mittee or the Board of Health. and we
20 ~ hu nf ba frn a
and remedy it."'
HASN'T SUFFICIENT BELP.
"I want TO say" said DR.. Oppenhimer,
"that the dereliction is on my own part.
but for the simple reason that l have not
sufficient help. / only have seven carts
and about fifteen hands to clean from First
street out to Richmond College"
Mr.. Turpin: Mr.. Chairman. / would
like to ask DR.. OppenhImer if he deems 1t
absolutely necessary to put these city
carts upon this work."
NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
II do not" said the President Of the
Board of Health. and would like to say
that | am deeply appreciatiye OF your
prompt consideration of this question.
and while intend TO put on all carts
deem necessary / should have been very
| thankful had you rendered Inc the Street
Department teams to do this cleaning at
once"
1t was stated by Mr.. Thomas that in the
present dull season outside carts could be
obtained at a very cheap rate. and 1t was
policy on the part of this committee not
| to tender the carts to the Board OF Health.
| Mr.. j. W. Carter then withdrew his mo-
| ton.
ASSISTANCE PLEDGED.
Mr.. Turpin moved that the committee
pledro itself TO assist heartily tho Board OF
| Health in any manner or at any time that
| the Health Department may deem aid ne
| cessary, go >.
The motion was adopted without dis
| cussion, whereupon Colonel Cutshaw told
| the President of the Board Of Health TO
communicate with him by telephone
whenever he should want any special
work done. DR.. Oppenhlmer stated that
he had already employed extra carts but
! would add still more TO his force and do
| all in his power TO put the street III q
| cleanly condition Immediately.
| THE ALLEY TO DE OPENED.
IIChairman Capers then read communi.
cation from the President of the Board OF
\ Health recommending the opening of the
| alley between Marshall and Clay and Han
| cock and Harrison streets, urging the mat
| ter as a health measure and in order to re-
| leye himself of any responsibility for SICK.
| ness if the work was not done. The CON-
| mittee referred the paper TO the Council
| for action, placing the responsibility upon
| the Council If it does not pass the measure
! The meeting then adjourned.