Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-02
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.

George II. Thurston Advocates the Forma-
tion cf Block Commit.ees-Hs Tells o.
the Former Efforts of Such an organiza-
tion--An Interesting Lister.
George H. Thurston, of Pittsburg, has de.
| cided views on the cholera question He
writes suggesting the organization of block
committees, and makes other suggestions of
value and interest The letter is appended.
1t is evident from the way in which the
quarantine regulations on the seaboard are
being enforced, that in all probability the
cholera germs will obtain entrance into tine
United States. 1t is evident that the old
adage, "an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure" is the lnitatorv step in
the protection OF Pittsburg from the disease.
1t is evident that "ounce of pre-
vention" is making the city clean, not
only on the highways, but on each premise
authorities are preparing to do this work
that it will take so much time under official
action, and want of force or money, that the
cholera germs, which travel quicker than
official action, will get here before we have
clean city. l, therefore, am bold to make
the suggestion that in all parts of the city
there should be at once organized block
committees, who will take charge of
that they are clean. In connection
Herewith L suggest that those
block committees should be women. Women
are the most interested in preserving the
city from disease, Tor it is upon the health
and lives OF their breadwiners-men-tha
80 out of 100 women and their families de-
pend The organization of these block COM
mittees of women need not, nor should not
be matter of public meeting or of official
appointments. There is not block in the
city, or very lew, in which there are not two
or three women capable of not only taking
charge of this sanitary work, but with eNecu-
tive ability to see it properly done. If
those women in each block will call in their
neighbors and organize their own block
committee and go to work. the city would
in a week be as clean as the best appointed
house after the spring cleaning. Men could,
of course, do it, but they could not or would
not spare from day to day time, and any
way a woman knows more in an hour what
is clean premise, than man would in a
week.
character or Ignorance OF the duellers the
city officials could be called on, and would
promptly enforce the sanitary laws.
This is only suggestion, but those who
this city did during the war, how in all
charitable work they not only do it
promptly, but efficiently, will see that if the
women will take hold personally of the city
only more promptly, but thoroughly done,
then by the city authorities alone.
AS before said, there is not a block in
which there are not women capable of the
work, and all that is needed is that in every
block the women shall determine that their
block at least shall have no cholera breed
ers in it.
Let the city authorities take charge of the
rivers and the streets and the business
blocks, giving official recognition and sup
port to the voluntary block committees and
refrain from impeding them by official red
taDe.
Personally 1 have no fear of the disease.
1t is evidently the offspring OF filth, im-
proper living and fear. 1 was, during the
cholera visitation of 1854. active in business
in the city, and felt no .ear nor experienced
the least intimation of an attack. L do not
now, il the disease is not suffered to become
a pestilence from neglect of sanitary pre-
cautions and prudential living.
1 donot wish to be understood as suggest
ing the organization of a general committee
of women, with all the impediinenta of
officers, subcommittee, reports, etc., but
simply an independent committee in each
block acting under such leader or leaders as
the dwellers i'll each block may give charge
of the work. 1t simply means that every
woman takes charge of her own premises,
without waiting for police protection, and
does her work cheerfully under the advice
of the block committee, and the block COM
mittee do theirs courteously and neigh
borly, without unneighborly comment or
gossip.