Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-03
WELLSAND DRAINAGE
Many Subjects Discussed by the
Sanitary League.
VIII ERE WORK IS NEEDED,
The Result of Preliminary Surveys Made of
Several Districts-Active Work Going on
to Produce Sanitary decentralization
Versus ProsecutiOn-The Mortality From
Typhoid Fever.

the general sanitary condition Of several dis
tricts, giving idea of work to be accom-
plished before the city can be considered as
approaching the state of being a model of
cleanliness and healthfulness. Between 200 and
800 new members were chosen and evidence
given in other ways of interest in the work of
the league
Mr.. r. Ross Perry, president of the league,
was in the chair with Mr. John Joy Edison Sec
rotary. The other members of the council pres
ent were Z. Francis Riggs, b. II. Warner, DR..
]. S. Billings, I. W. Moves, B. +. Leighton,
John F. Cook. Geo. F. Hardin. F. L. Moore,
W. H. Baum, J. Harrison johnson, George
Truesdell, Judge T. F. Miller and H. P. God
win. Maj L. ?. Williams of the Brightwood
Association and Messrs VIM. NJ. King and r.
P. Buckley of the Anacostia Citizens Asso-
citation were present by invitation.
communication from the East Washing
ton 8 Citizens Association. inclosing copies OF
amendments to building regulations proposed
by that association, making compulsory the
provision for suitable garbage receptacles about
hotels and other places where large accumula-
lions OF refuse are apt to be found, was re-
ferred to the sanitary committee.
THE SANITARY COMMITTEE.
DR.. ]. S. Billings, chairman of the sanitary
committee. reported list Of books recon-
mended in response to a request Of the promo
ton committee.
He reported also that his committee recon-
mended to the committee on cooperation to
confer with the physicians of the CITY for the
purpose Of obtaining from them circulars for
distribution on the following subjects:
l. On the precautions to be taken in the
event OF the appearance Of a case of genuine
Asiatic cholera i'll the city, and.
tha o,If &C,
during hot weather.
1t has requested Miss Isabel Hampton, SUPER
intendent of Johns Hopkins Training School
for Nurses, to deliver lecture to the ladies of
the league. 1t has appointed DR.. S. s. Adams
to deliver a lecture TO teachers on the care of
children 1t has appointed Messrs. W. ii.
Hoeke and c. NJ. Matthews as additional men,
beers OF the committee on the care and disposal
of the dead
The committee also reported that the sub
committee on water supply. of which Prof. I.
{. Iendenhall is chairman had had a meeting
and organized and drawn up a report, which
had been submitted to the sanitary committee.
This report recommended a very thorough in
yestigation of the water supply. He stated
that certain members of the committee on
water supply had been selected as experts in
certain matters, and it was hoped that they
would make personally an Investigation of more
suspicious samples of water that might be sub
mitted to them. The committee on water sup
ply had, he aid, laid out more work than
was originally intended, but if they car
red 1t out the work would be Of great
value to the District.
report was made from the committee on
promotion. stating that since the last meeting
in the neighborhood of 1000 of the circulars
on disinfection hud been supplied to the police
for distribution. The course of lectures ar
ranged for by the ladies' committee on sanitary
housekeeping before the public school teachers
had been inaugurated by addresses delivered
by Dr. Billings. report was submitted from
Mrs. \. l.. Woodbury., chairman of the ladies'
committee. announcing the differe mt branches
of the work undertaken by her mmittee.
INSPECTIONS IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS.
Reports were submitte ed by the charmen Of
several of the District sanitary committee
Mr.. b. H. Warner, from the third district, sub
mitted an elaborate report of the results of an
inspection made under his direction Of the
alleys and open spaces i'll his district. He
recommended that the subject of the inspec-
ton of the interior of houses be taken up, with
the view of remedying. so far possible. the
defects in plumbing and draining He said he
found that the yards in large portion of his
district were in bad condition.
MIR. George +. Harbin chairman Of the fifth
district committee. reported that a survey of
his district showed that the section between
South Capitol and 18th strset east and East
Capitol street and Virginia avenue in fairly
good condition. The section east of 18th street
and south Of East Capitol street. containing 1888
houses, was almost entirely without sewer
facilities or water supply. The section south
of Virginia avenue. containing 1913 houses. was
likewise III bad condition, having practically no
sewer or water connections. The great source
of trouble in these sections. he said, was sur
face drainage. He thought the public dumping
grounds might be kept IN better condition.
When a dumping ground is full the owner
should be required to place 1t In good sani-
tary condition. All out beyond 18th street
east. he said, wells were depended for the
water supply. He knew of several places where
people had to go several squares for their
water.
Mr.. +. L. Moore of the seventh division,
Georgetown. reported that he found the sec
ton north of NJ street generally in good condi-
ton. South of NJ street they had neither
sewers nor water, and as there were many
tenement houses in this section it needed at
tention. He suggested the need of abandon
ing the old colored burying ground. which had
been IN Use for upward OF seventy-ive years,
and which, Mr.. Hyde had stated, had been
buried over four or five times and having the
remains inferred there removed. Mr. Moore
thought that a form of postal cards making
complaint of rulsances should be adopted.
Judge Miller. who has a section of the county
under his care chairman. stated that he had
been able only to make an examination of the
section around Takomn. He had called a
talked over the work necessary to place the
locality in good sanitary condition. One
thing decided upon was that it was necessary
to have uniform system of closets and it had
been agreed that they should use only the dry
closets.
Gen. Ellis Spear who has charge of the work
of the league in the county west of 18th street,
was not present. but submitted written report
stating that between 7th street and Rock creek
north of Binney street there was practically
only single sewer IN use. This, he said. made
the use of ordinary privies and cesspools I'M
perative and created great danger to the well
water in the neighborhood
AN OPEN SEWER.
1.-THE branch or creek emptying in the Piney
branch. at the intersection of that branch with
14th street extended" Gen. Spears report
said, FLOWS down the valley of the Spring
road. 1t drains. in fact the territory extending
along that road and its connections nearly to
It'll street. There many houses of colored
people near this stream. and in some places
(notably near Spring street, thickly located.
The contents of innumerabe wash tubs find
their way into this branch, and all the other
filth that these shanties generate after their
kind contribute their substance or essence to
make solution of filth. The water is abso-
lutely shiny and Piney branch ia assuming the
same character, except when foody by heavy
rains No amount of moral suasion will per-
suade the people in that quarter to cleanliness
or care, and perhaps the league may find it
necessary or desirable on this point also to ap-