Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-01

there Is little garbage being collected, but
the continuance of this warm weather will
bring hundreds of complaints.
The great question Of the hour is what
are the Commissioners going to do with the
garbage now that the reduction plant has
been destroyed.
Auditor Petty was seen by a reporter OF
The Star this afternoon about the matter
He said that he did not anticipate any
trouble. The emergency fund of the Dis
trict could not be called upon to remove the
garbage. The Commissioners, he thought
would look to the sureties of the Sanitary
Company to do the work and hold them re-
sponsible for the completion of the contract
While IL has not been definitely settled, ii
is understood that the Sanitary Company
will transport the garbage down the river
as was done before il commenced TO treat
1t by approved methods, and after the in
surance matters have been settled, will ap-
ply for a permit to erect new plant in
Maryland, outside of the limits of the Dis
trict.
Holding sureties.
The Commissioners decided not to for
mally discuss the garbage situation until
tomorrow morning, when they will meet in
special board session. They can do nothing
however. except decide upon a place or de-
pot where the garbage is to be transported
1t is generally expected that the foot Of
South Capitol street will be the point Of
shipment. The Commissioners deprecate
they will hold the Sureties responsible for
the performance of the contract.
Against Rebuilding.
Health officer Hammett was not in his
office when a Star reporter called this
afternoon. but it was stated that some
arrangements would be made for the i'm
mediate removal of the garbage.
viii the plant be rebuilt?" was the
question asked of one of the officials. and
y, latrI h.e
been much complaint about it that
think the Commissioners will not permit
the company to rebuild the plant in the
city.
The Buildings.
The buildings occupied by the National
Sanitary Company were erected October
IA. 1s92. and had a frontage of thirty-seven
feet on South Capitol street. running back
to a depth of 1a5 feet six inches.
The main building was of frame, one
story high. In this was placed the boilers
where the garbage was treated. while be-
low was situated the mechanism for convey
ing the oil and tankage to the back build
ing where the former was strained and
placed in barrels. while the tankage was
heavily pressed to extract all of the oil
After this was done the tankage was al
most thoroughly dry. and then conveyed to
an out building, known the mill, where
it was ground into fertilizer after being
dried out
The plant cost. irrespective Of machinery.
$500, and was built by John Henderson &
Son from plans prepared by Paul ]. Pelz
This is not the first fire that has occurred
at the works. On several previous occa-
sions small fires have been discovered, but
luckily were put out before any damage
was done.
Inadequate Force.
The inadeQuacy of the fire department of
the District was amply illustrated by this
mornings events. Previous to the alarm
sent out for the fire in South Washington
engine companies l, and { and truck b
had been called out by an alarm sent in
from box 1876. 18th and y streets north
west. Before they got back to their re-
spective houses the second and third
alarms had been sent in from the fire at the
sanitary plant, which took the South Wash
ington engine company, No. u. and truck
b when they returned from responding to
have been called out by the third alarm had
II returned In time from the northwest box,
No. q the Georgetown company, was or
dered to South Washington. All companies
but Nos. I and Z and the chemical engine
were called out by the third alarm, thereby
leaving those three companies to cover the
rest of the District, truck G being unable to
20 out because of the injury to their horses.
In. this emergency No. ! was transferred to
No. = house. and the chemical engine to
the house of No. on Capitol Hill. the lat
ter company being directed to cover the city
east Of 9Th street west. Before the South
Washington fire was reported out, how
ever, truck reported that IL was again
ready for service but was directed to re-
main. But for a time the only companies
available for the whole District outside of
South Washington was Nos. 1 and q, the
chemical company and truck c.
south Warrington COmplacent.
A large crowd gathered about the burn
ing building and discussed the situation.
Some were inclined to the belief that 1t
had been set afire. but investigation proved
there was no ground for such a conclusion.
A number of the members of the South
Washington Citizens Association were
present and smiled complacently at the
them SO much worry. One OF them met
a reporter OF The Star and said:
We'll, there is the solution of the whole
question. 1t is not pleasant to rejoice at
another mans downfall, but II you could
read the hearts of the citizens hereabouts
you would see great thankfulness. Thanks
giving came a day late, yet it is near
enough to celebrate, and the removal of
that intolerable nuisance is indeed a matter
Of thanksgiving"
This fire illustrates one thing" said an
other member of the association. There is
a greater power than the head of municipal
tiles competent to settle all matters"
We'll, gentlemen" put in another men,
ber of the association, "the sanitary COM
pany is now living up to its contract for the
first time. 1t is burning the garbage"