Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-17
A NEW SANITARY MOVEMENT.

The Health Officer to Enforce the Law
About OutilOuses.
Health Officer uammett has declared war On
the privies In the city and also in the thickly
populated suburbs which are not established in
accordance with the health regulations or which
by reason OF neglect have become foul and
filthy SO as to become nuisance, move
is also to be mado against the residents Of
the thicklv populated suburbs, where
prives are scarce, and where it is reported some
Of the residents still adhere 10 the old plan Of
burying the offal. With these objects In view
the inspectors have been notified to make
thorough inspection Of premises in their re-
spective districts and report all cases coming
under the provisions OF the act.
Speaking of the matter Of enforcing the reg
ulations in such cases Chief Clerk Tracy re-
ferred to the law on the subject, which is found
in the repor. Of the health officer two years
ago.
WHAT THE LAW PROVIDES.
Section 43 of the act provides that any privy
within the cities Of Washington or Georgetown,
or the more densely populated suburbs Of said
cities, including Uniontowu or Anacostia and
Mount Pleasant in the District of Columbia, con.
structed OF other material than brick, cement or
wood. or which Is not provided with sufficient
III.
and the inside Of which IL not at least five feet
distant from the line Of any adjoining lot aud
at least two feet distant from any street lane,
alley. camp. square or public place, or public
or private passageway; aud any privy 30 con-
structed that 1t cannot be conveniently APP
each and every vault, box, bucket or vessel
close, 90 that the contents thereof
cannot escape therefrom, except as may be
permitted by means OF passageway or con-
duit under ground, for the purpose OF carrying
away the contents of such vault, box or vessel
into any common sewer or drain, Is hereby
declared nuisance injurious to health; and
any person who shall create, maintain or con-
time such nuisance. and shall fail. after due
notice from this board to abate or remedy tho
same, shall, upon conviction, be fred not less
offense.
The three following sections are as follows:
That focal matter, not thoroughly deodorized
and disinfected. remaining in privies In the
District OF Columbia. Ia hereby declared q
nuisance injurious to health; and tho board
OF health shall, upon the receipt of COM
plant, in writing. cause any privy to be In
spected, and, If necessary, cleaned by the
persons authorized for said purpose; and any
persons owning or occupying premises on
which any privy is situated, who shall refuse to
permit the same to BIO inspected and cleaned at
the times designated by the said board or when
ever necessary, shall. upon conviction. be fined
not less than % for every such offense.
That it shall be unlawful for any person
other than such as shall be authorized BY this
board to clean any privy in the cities of Wash
ington or Georgetown, or tho more densely
populated suburbs Of said cities, for hire, or
for any person TO employ any other than reg
ular appointee or contractor OF this board for
such purpose. Any person so offending shall,
upon conviction, be fined not less than $40 for
every offense.
That it shall be unlawful for any person to
deposit the contents Of any priyy in any place
other than such as may be approved by this
board; and any person so offending shall, upon
conviction, be fined not less than 80 nor more
than $50 for every such offcnse.
TO FORCE THEM OUT OF EXISTENCE.
Mr. Tracy said that it was the object Of the
health officer to force out Of existence all the
privies in the city where there is . sewer and
water connection convenient In the thickly
populated suburbs the residents will be re-
quired to put in the proper boxes, and an effort
will be made to prosecute persons who violate
the law and endanger the lives Of hundreds Of
residents.