Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-07-11

THIS IS BUSINESS.
TIE HEALTH COMMITTEES AFTER THE GARB-
AGE MAN.
Chairman George J. Caddls Makes Charges EVl-
dsncs is Heard, and the Committee Recon-
msnds the Contrac. be Declared Forfeited.

fulfill his contract, or walk the plank!
The Council Committee on Health
spent several hours in taking evidence
and examining into the matter general
ly, last night, and as a result, resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted recon-
mending that Council abrogate the con-
tract and proceed upon the contractors
bonds.
This is business, and is tardy justice
to the long-suffering taxpayers Of this
city.
This matter Of the gross negligence
of the garbage collector, Mr.. Clark, was
brought rather suddenly and violently
TO the attention Of Councilmen, Satur-
day and Sunday mornings, by the REG
ISTER.
Scores and hundreds Of citizens were
ready and willing to testify to the utter
inefiiciency of the service permitted to
90 on by Council, and there was an uni
versal demand for reform.
DIR. Geo. j. Caddle, chairman OF the
Committee on Health. recognized the
situation, and at once called his Com
mittee for last night. He also summon
ed the Health Office, the Mayor, the
City Solicitor, the Superintendent OF the
Crematory, the contractor himself, and
81
knowledge OF the situation.
The result was an inquiry which, al
though it not 60 to the bottom OF the
matter, by any means, was sufficient to
show the farcical nature of the duty
pretended TO be performed by Mr..
Clark, and the abrogation Of his con-
tract was recommended.
Council should act with promptness
and decision in this matter tonight and
by so doing serve notice on all con-
cerned that contract with the city OF
Wheeling for the removal OF garbage
means Just what 1t says and must be
carried out.
At last nights meeting, Chairman
Caddle called Mr.. Farrell to the chair,
as he desired to be free TO push his
charges. DR.. Caddle then made a state
ment to the Committee, saying the mat
ter before the Committee had been
brought TO his attention b. the press,
and he thought prompt action was nee
essary. He stood ready to make formal
charges of inefliciency again 81 Contrac-
.or Clark as soon as a proper course was
decided upon.
The contract being produced, the So
licitor asked the exact nature OF the
charges, and narrated the chief require
ments OF the ordinance as to removal OF
garbage.
DR.. Caddle then said he desired to
make a general charge that the con-
tract had not been fulfilled, and desired
to offer evidence in support OF the
charge. He then cited number OF
instances where garbage had been re
moved but once in two weeks, all the
cases being on the Island. He followed
this with a statement Of the fact that
the REGISTER had called the attention
OF the Committee to the neglect Of the
contractor, and because OF that he
thought it time for the Commit
tee to take some action looking to
the enforcement OF the terms OF
the contract. The thing had gone on
long enough, and it was time reform
was brought about. 1t was patent that
the contract had not been fulfilled, and
he wanted such action taken as would
abrogate the contract, by authority OF
Council. If the matter could be referred
to the Committee on Contracts, which
made the contract, he would go before
that Committee prepared to secure the
removal of the contractor.
Mr. Richards called for the reading
OF the contract, and the Solicitor said
there were really two contracts, be-
tween the city ani Mr.. Clark, read the
documents and said that II Council was
satisfied the contract had not been car
ried out, it had the right TO annul It,.
He pointed out the course which should
be taken, saying the Committee had
power to make any enquiry 1t saw fit,
and make recommendation in keeping
with the circumstances. II the con-
tract had not been fulfilled, the city
could bring suit upon 1t, and enforce 1t.
Mr.. Richards then asked that the
charges be formally presented and EVIL
dence taken in support OF them, as well
as give Mr.. Clark an opportunity to be
heard in his own defense. be made a
motion, as formal verbal charges had
been made, that evidence be taken.
DR.. Cadds called upon Mayor Cald-
well for information, and in reply TO
questions he said Mr.. Clark bad been
before him for not carrying out his con-
tract, and had been fined. Many
people had waited upon him with
complaints about non-removal
of garbage. The Mayor added that he
fined the contractor Saturday on his own
evidence for non-fulfillment OF contract.
Health Officer Mccoy was then ques-
toned, and said the collector had been
frequently charged with non-fultillmen
OF the contract. The contractor had
five carts at work, but had prom
ised to put on three more. This
has not been done up TO
the present time. The Health Officer
made q full statement OF the situation
regarding the non-removal Of garbage,
saying he had conference with the
Contractor as early as April LIST, and
frequently thereafter. On all occasions,
the Contractor agreed to adopt his sug'
cushions. During May, when but two
removals week were required, CON-
Llaints were very numerous at the
Health Officers Office, that garbage was
not being removed. he insisted that at
least eight carts be put on from the first
of June, but although Clark promised to
do so, he failed to perform the service.
In some parts Of the city there is col
lection but once q week, in other parts
twice week, and in still others three
times week, but nowhere was there q
collection six times week, as the con-