Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-15
A SCENE IN SHOWS ALLEY

SCENE N SHOWS ALLEY.
mission Church in Snow alley. showing n
large oper space filed with stagnaut water and
numerous dumps of ashes and other refuse
Crowds of children frequent this alley.l
illustrate his lecture several tables and charts
and number of lantern slides were shown.
come being reproductions of mans on which
were exhibited graphically the differences in
he death rates in various parts o; the city
anong the whites AMI the coloTed and the infant
death rate. Several views we're shown of
photographs taken recently in different locah-
ties of Washington Cf &ilev scenes. vacant lots
ard osner places not IN the best of order. Some
Of these Reproduced in TIE STAR today.
The lecturer Was introduced by Mr.. Il. Ross
Perry, who spoke OF his eIninence in sanitary
science. and sad Washing onians were proud TO
SPEAK OF him as fellow citizen. DR.. Billings
spOke rs follows:
What Is tine Sanitary League?
VIVA; are iis objects? Is there any need o: it?
How is it going to begin its operations!
DO YOU really think II viii do any good?
Had better join il;
81 DO join AZ. what shall have to do?
These are some of the questions which a
number OF people in the District have been
asking during the last two or three weeks. They
have been partially answered by The EVENING
sTAz. but l am going to try to answer some Of
them a little more 1gily tonight.
First. VIVA; Is the Sanitary League? 1t Is an
organization which commenced several
weeks ago by the meeting of about a dozen
prominent business men of this city to talk
over the subject o. the health of the city.
They concluded THAT there was no evidence thai
there IS ANYTHING specially wrong At present.
but that the sanitary conditions might possibly
be improved. ard that In view OF the cholera
possibilities next Summer il would be well TO be
prepared at all points. The Commissioners OF
the District were represented at this meeting
and II was learned from them thai they thought
II desirable that the citizens OF the District
should take more interest IL the sanitary con-
oition OF the city than they we're doing. They
said that they woald be glad to have some as
rlstaEce IN the Esr OF obtaining information
as 10 the existence of dangerous nUisGnees
which should BE abated since. they mad
not the means to EMPLOY sufficient force of
inspectors to examine the city thoroughly be-
fore hot weather sets in. They also said that
they would gladly cooperate with the citizens
In all WAYS. and that tnev believed that they
might do much good wO-k.
These gentlemen then proceeded, American
fashion. TO draw M a constitution and bylaws
FOR tine organization of a society, to- elect off,
GERS and 10 sc; ready for work. They named
This society The Sanitary League Of the Dis
trict os Columbia" and decided that il should
be composed of those men and women in the
District who sufficiently interested in the
sanitary condition and healthfulEess Of their
own premises and of their surroundings to be
willing 10 become members and to take part in
the work.
THE OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE
what are the objects OF the league?'' The
constitution states them in a general way as
follows:
The objects of the league shall be the i'm
provement of the health of the citizens Of the
District Oy the collection OF da.a with regard
To existing or threatened dangers 10 the pub
lie heath. bv the diffusion OF information with
regard TO the best means OF re-
novIaS or preventing such causes
Of danger. and by aiding as far az possible the
proper authorities in their efforts 10 lrlpro, G
the sanitary condition OF the District and to
prevent the introduction spread of disease
Perhaps YOU think this is little vague So
II Is The founders were not clear in their OWE
minds as ~ precisely what is needed or what is