The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-30
THE Garbage TROUBLE
Rights Of Board Of Health SCaVengers Are
Inlrinsed Upon.
They have entered A PROTEST
Board of Health Held a Special Meet
ing to Consider the Question-May-
or Council Appealed ito for Assis-
lance in Protecting the Rights of
Scavengers Holding Contracts
Charges Against M. keenahan.

Trouble has for some time been
brewing between the licensed city
scavengers who have contracts for re-
moving garbage to the cremator, and
collectors who havS no contracts for
removing the refuse, but infringe on
the rights of the former. 4 special
meeting of the board of health was
held yesterday to take action on the
matter.
1t was decided to appeal to the mayor
for police assistance in enforcing the
boards regulations. Michael Keena.
han will DO called before a special ses-
SION of the board and inquiry made
into a charge of his having infripged
on the rights and territory Of Robert
Harlan in the central portion OF the
city.
Contracts were awarded recently by
councils to the following persons for
collecting garbage: Robert s. Harlan,
central city. 10 cents per month, per
family; James Stevens. Seventh and
Thirteenth wards. 20 cents per month
per family; NJ. f. Pendergast. balance
Of the city. 25 cents per month per
family. Ashes and metal are about the
only articles these men are not sup
posed to remove unless paid extra.
WHAT THE RULES SAY.
The rules and regulations Of the
health department make it compulsory
on every family to pay the contract
price to one Of the three men mention
ed above for moving garbage. The
term garbage includes. parings. shoes.
old rags and all perishable matter
whatsoever.
In tine case of hotels. stores and mar
kets, those who desire to do so may + c.
move their own refuse, providing the
departments regulation. n and other
appliances are used, and that a permit
Is secured.
The rules of the board make it a mis-.
1emeanor to keep for moro than
twenty-four hours any putrid or decay
ing animal or vegetable matter about
u house or grounds. A practice EN-
ployed by many families OF burning
refuse, is also contrary to the health
regulations.
A resolution was presented by Colo.
mel Ripple and adopted by tho board
at yesterdays meeting as follows:
Whereas, Complaints having come tc
the board that unauthorized persons
are collecting garbage, etc, and carrying
1t through the streets without providing
themselves with the appliances required
by the rules and regulations of the board
Of health, and as the forces at the com
mand OF the board are insufficient to COM
pell obedience to the rules aud regulations
aforesaid, be it
Resolved, That the board of health ap
peal to his honor, the mayor, to afford
such assistance by the regular police force
rs may BIO necessary to enforce the rules
and regulations of the board of health.
MUST HAVE A PERMIT.
A motion was adopted to the effec'
that all store keepers and market mer
who desire to carry their own garbage
to the cremator shall be allowed Il
secure a permit for such purpose, the
permit to be delivered by the sanitary
policeman when he has approved OF
their appliances.
The three contract garbage collectors
were present AC tue meeting ana al
stated that the health regulations were
generally violated by private families
that non contract collectors persisted
in removing garbage, and that many
families were in ignorance of the garb
age collecting system and hired variou:
scavengers to remove refuse.
Mr.. Harlan stated that Michae
Keenahan, who will be called before the
board for an examination, persists In
soliciting garbage collections in the
central city aside from the four no
tells for which he has a permit. The
other contractors present did not make
specific charges.
The board adjourned to meet Friday
evening in special session at Z 81
o'clock.