St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-08
STONE0. KID DTHEW
HEALTH COMMISSIONERS SIGNED
THE GARBAGE BILLS UNDER
PROTEST.
He HAS BEEN CONVINCED
THAT THE REPORT OF THE CON-
TRACTOR HAS NOT BEEN
ACCURATE.
THE PARKER coMMITTEn FINDS
What Is Regarded as a Weak Spot
in the City Govern
ment.

The Parker Investigating commit
tee brought to, light yesterday the
loose system under which the con-
the city's garbage is carried out; or,
rather, not carried out. The teSti-
mony on this point was received from
Health Commissioner Stone and AS
Semblyman Johnson, chairman of the
joint committee on garbage. Their
testimony revealed the fact that the
monthly bills of the garbage con-
tractor are approved and allowed,
in spite of the knowledge of the
health commissioner and certain
members of the council that the
work has not been done according to
contract.
Health Commissioner Stone, at his
own request, was called upon first
yesterday afternoon. DR.. Stone be-
gan by explaining the duties of his
assistants. The duties of the as
sistant commissioner of health We're
to take charge of the records, make
the meteorological examinations, in
spect contagious disease, where
there is a question as to it's nature.
The assistant commissioner also at
tends to his private practice.
Questioned concerning his own
duties, Dr. Stone detailed them in
full, and explained to the committee
how he was obliged to drive around
and inspect the work of the garbage
contractor. Asked if the police could
not do this work, DR.. Stone said a
policeman might be detailed on such
work, and that when he first took
charge of the health department, the
police rendered some assistance, but
he was afterwards obliged to dis
pense with their help because they
were attempting to encroach upon
the work of his department.
DR.. Stone explained the duties of
the inspector of contagious diseases.
Scarcely a day passed that reports
of diphtheria and scarlet fever were
not received. In case any doubt eX-
listed as to the nature of an alleged
duty of the assistant commissioner
of health to inspect the case and
diagnose it.
The duties of the live stock inspect
or were detailed by DR.. Stone. His
official work occupied about six hours
a day. There are two health in
spectors in the department and a
meat Inspector, who give all their
time from a. m. to p. m. to their
official work.
Questioned concerning the power of
the health department to compel chill
dren to be vaccinated, DR.. Stone said
that he could compel all children who
attend the public schools to be vac
cinated or else, remain away from
school. During period Of three
months, the health department had
vaccinated 5000 people.
DR.. Stone said that he needed an
other meat inspector and more health
inspectors. In describing the duties
of the bookkeeper, Dr. Stone said that
the health department had never
been supplied with an indeXed record
of births, deaths and marriages.
Such a record was sorely needed, and
to provide it would require the as
sistance of another clerk. 1t would
the past records. After that the in
dex could easily be kept up with the
present force The whole work of
preparing an index, including the
cost of the index books, could be
done for $400.
DIR. Stone dwelt upon the necessity
for a laboratory. The analysis made
at the state university for the de-
paItment had been unsatisfactory.
Mr.. Lewis suggested that, inasmuch
is allowed to attend to his private
practice, he would find it an advan-
tage ITO make the eXamina atoms and
analyses ait his own office.
DR.. Stone said that he would not
find it an advantage to do so. Other
work in the health department would
consume too much time. DR.. Stone
estimated that laboratory such as
is desired could be furnished and
fitted up for about $1,000, and that
thereafter it would cost about 81, 200
a year for assistants to run it. The
doctor also urged that the depart
ment needed a disinfecting plant,
which could be furnished at a cost
of $500.
DR.. Stone called attention to the
necessity for, an ambulance to con-
vey patients afflicted with contagious
diseases to the city hospital. These
diseases were being spread abroad
owing to the fact that they are often
carried in upholstered carriages.
That practice, DIR. Stone said, was
to be discontinued at once.
Judge Lusk inquired whether the
health department and that of the
coroner could be combined.
mo, SIR" answered DR.. Stone. mo
man on earth could look after both
these departments. The coroner's
duties are very severe and exact
ing"
In response to Mr.. Lewis, DR.. Stone
explained his duties with reference
to approving the monthly bills of the
garbage contractor. He had signed
these bills under protest and with
the understanding that his signature
must not be construed to mean that
he believed the work had been done
He simply signed the bills by request
! of the council. He was morally GER
! tain that all the work had not been
| performed.
| Mr., Lewis remarked that he die
| not think that the health commits.
sioner was obliged to sign the gar.
bage bills perfunctorily.
! Further questioning on this point
! by Col. Clough revealed the fact thai
the garbage committee advised DIR
Stone 10 sign the garbage contrac.
! tors bills, and that he did so
! though morally Convinced that the
report of the garbage contractor was
| inaccurate.
''1f that is the case," remarked Co: