Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-24

THE EXECUTIVE MASsIoS-soUTHwEsT WINDS
WAIT POISON TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
To The fHitor Of TIE Evening star:
Medical and other scientific authorities tell
that the disease called Asiatic cholera spreads
from certain East Indian provinces, where it
reigns permanently, owing to the filthy habits
of the inhabitants, who use the water infiltrated
with the poison of sinks. located in the imme-
date neighborhood OF their wells, for cooking
and drinking purposes, &c.
1t would not seem possible. in this age of
progress knowledge and science, that a some
what similar condition Of things could exist
anywhere in this enlightened land Of ours at
least not where the bright search light of such
humane efforts those made by our own
praisworthy Sanitary League could penetrate.
And yet they exist, and under our very noses.
just half dozen blocks from the Executive
Mansion. where precious lives, given into the
sacred keeping OF the capital of the nation by
the whole people of these United States, al Q
menaced and endangered. just half a dozen
blocks from the biggest of our government de-
partments, where the health of thousands.
from the cabinet member down to the huHblest
laborer; is exposed like forlorn hope. there
exists a condition of affairs that would indeed
be disgrace to a community sunk in bar
barism,
THE DOG POUND AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
Let me take you to street where it is inter-
sected by 22d. Take a parting look at that
point toward the east along F, for it il your
last chance to rest your contented eyes upon
smooth pavement. easy sidewalks, pretty shade
trees and other evidences of n well-Soverned
modern city. Walking down 22d you pass the
last gas lamp at the corner Of E, and the last
patrol box on the opposite corner mutely an
nounces that, municipality, at least. the world
ends right here. The rough cobble pavement
iaIt int off
ends here also. The Briggs School building,
erected here some time ago, only makes you
wonder why it isn't put right across the street
itself in order to give it something of finish.
You are now in the country. with oil lamps to
guide us at night, aad in the daytime
dependent on the local residents for
the names of streets and avenues. A few
steps take you to the intersection of New York
avenue. Attempt to follow the supposed line
of that prospective thoroughfare and you will
find your progress barred, just where you
should have entered 23d street, by high white
washed fence. That is the dog pound. and
right in front Of it, where you see the remnants
OF ash heaps, wire springs. &c. is the place
where all the infected and soiled bedding upon
which patients in the hospitals have died is
burned. A little below the dog pound is the
place where these hapless creatures are
slaughtered. and the blood is allowed to run
down little ditch. serving as drainage until it
reaches place where it is covered up with
quick lime.
Within fifty feet of this dangerous, disease
breeding spot you will find a spring. That
spring is the only water supply this Darkest
Washington" has for you must know there is
no more water furnished this truly forsaken
portion of the beautiful national capital than
there is gas, or sidewalk, or pavement, or shade
tree, or police protection. or anything. That
spring. therefore, must furnish all the drinking
aud cooking water used by about fifty families,
ia n wa q
being pump in the swamp at the foot Of 21st
street.
DIsEAsE-BREEDINa POND.
Nor is that all Almost along that entire por-
ton of the city, from the Monument lot to the
mouth of Rock creek. extends the reeking
remainder of what was once part of the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal, now but stag
nan, disease breeding pond, a danger and a
menace, not only for this particular locality
for who would care if 'twere but that?-but for
the entire city, and particularly the Executive
Mansion, the Departments of State War. Navy.
Justice, Treasury and the various hotels in close
proximity to the same.
Can you conceive of a reason compatible
with law, common sense or the dictates of
humanity which could be advanced by the
canal company as tenable ground for MAIN
tanning such q terrible nuisance when others
equally amenable to our municipal regulations
can be ordered by the health authorities to
abate lar less slgnlhcant dangers at moments
notice?
That tired feeling which so often suddenly
taks possession of the most industrious and
painstaking among the employees Of the govern
ment in those departments. that sudden loss of
appetite during midday. even aftera mornings
hard work. that unexplained headache so often
believed by the terrified lady clerk to be the
precursor of an approaching illness-they
the silent but effective work of that immense
disease breeder, augmented not a little by that
other public menace of this delightful locality.
the mouth of the city's great sewer at the foot
of 18th street where it is permitted to come to
the surface and scatter pestilential smell, poi
soning the air for fully a mile around it.
If you will take the trouble your return to
consult your map you will find that starting
from that remarkable spring YOU need only run
your finger along the line of New York avenue,
past the blocks numbered 81 and L.
81 12i. little parking and block 10,
to find yourself right at the door of the War
Department building and in q straigh: line
toward the White House.
Every breeze from the south and southwest
carries hourly into the city the germs of poison
and disease from this too long neglected. for
saken locality, endangering the health of old
and young, rich and poor, the strong and weak,
the pious and the scoffer.
In the name of justice and humanity l ask
your powerful aid to bring about ameliora-
ton of this terrible state of things.
JOHN X. PEEL, FAMILY AND NEIGHBoRs