The San Francisco call., 1895-12-31
Inspector J. ]. Sullivan's Report
on the State Univer.
sity.
CALLED A MENACE TO HEALTH.
A Complete New Sanitary System Is
Declared to Be Absolutely
Necessary.

j. j. Sullivan, Plumbing Inspector OF
the Board OF Health, has rendered report
OF his investigations into the sanitary con-
ditlon OF the buildings of the State Univer-
sity, and his statement is far from fiatter-
ing to one Of the States leading educa-
tional institutions.
The report will be considered at the next
meeting of the board of regents. and in
time ago for better plumbing and ventila-
ton the findings of the inspector are
expected to bear great weight.
The students at the university were the
first to make objection to the state Of
affairs and their protests were long and
loud. Failing to gain their end by.
informally calling the attention of the
regents to the matter they addressed
com m unication to q member of the board,
which resulted in Mr.. Sullivan being sent
on tour of investigation.
The inspector is unqualified in his con-
demnatipn of the sanitary system, term
ing it an absolute menace to the health OF
the students and attaches of the Instltu-
ton, and he suggests that complete
reconstruction is the only remedy. The
main portion of the report is as follows:
Herewith and at your request submit a
port of my Investigations of the plumbing and
sanitary conditions OF the buildings OF the
State University al Berkeley. Generally speak
ing, the plu umbing is old and has none OF tho
features demanded by modern methods and
effective sanitation. When the systems in the
different buildings, were introduced no atten-
ton paid 10 the requirements OF ventlla.
ton and fresh-air circulation, both OF which
are necessary in modern system.
The system itself is detective and dangerous.
The fixtures are imperfectly constructed ana
in some instances are in violation of all laws OF
plumbing. They are old style in pattern, and
there is much in their arrangements that
should be changed. Objectionable in them
selves, they are offensive and dangerous to
health in their location. With one exception,
the system OF plumbing in each of the build
ings should be reconstructed, attention being
given to new and sanitary fixtures and the ar.
rangement of the plum oing itself.
The only exception to this condition of af.
fairs is the Mechanics building, in which the
plumbing is defective in some minor particu-
lars.
Each building should connect directly with
some main line OF sewer, with proper trap
and fresh-air inlet combined, each structure
having a separate connection to this main line
and an independentifresh- air circulation.
1t is imperative, If those who occupy the
buildings be considered, that the fixtures be OF
standard and sanitary pattern. These changes
will remove what is now positive menace to
the health and decidedly disagreeable feature
OF different buildings particularly in North
and South halls. The Importance of the mat.
ter warrants an exhaustive report, which !
have made, giving in detail the condition OF
the plumbing in each building.
J. J. SULLIVAN,
Plumbing INSPECTOR of the Board of Health.
Each building is taken up separately,
and the points where tie defective or out
of-date plumbing appears are called atten-
ton TO with recommendations as to the
methods to be employed in remedying the
matter.
Mr.. Sullivan estimates that the expense
of placing the university in good sanitary
condition will be about $3.50, divided as
follows: North Hall $3.50, South Hall $3.50,
gymnasium $3.50. chemistry building $500,
agricultural building $400, library $3.50,
mining and civil engineering quarters $3.50.
| These figures include the entire cost of
| the Improvements, but it is anticipated
that the board will be able to do the work
for much less money, as many OF the stu
dents have agreed to assist in digging
| trenches and performing other duties
where their efforts can be utilized.