The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-21
Diphtheria is Spreading
Rapidly in Johnston.
investigation Reveals a HOr-
rible State of Affairs.
Town COuncilmen Made a Tour of
Inspection Today.

The Johnston Town Council met last even
ng TO consider a revision Of the town ordin-
pnces, but after the allowance Of a number OF
bills, the sanitary condition Of the town was
considered for upward Of Two hours and
action on ordinances doferred
The discussion Of the question Of health was
OF n very emphatic kind: oesspools and vaults
were referred TO In plain language, officials
were criticized sharply. and a general ven
tilation OF the subject in which the people OF
this section have became deeply Interested
was INDUCED in.
1t was the determination OF the Council to
act in the matter, and their ultimate vote to
make themselves a committee OF the whole
TO give their time TO viewing places com
planned OF. showed a desire TO do all In their
power to care for the health Of the town they
were chosen 20 represent.
IL was voted TO view the premises today,
and TO meet at 8 o'clock this afternoon at the
Council chamber. TO hear from John W.
Waters. who has been censured for neglect Of
duty. but who contends he has done all in his
power to prevent the spread Of disease by
the abatement Of nuisances. The meeting
tonight promises to be extremely interesting.
The Johnston Town Council health officer.
John W. Waters. accompanied by two re-
porters, started out this morning on a tour of
inspection OF the reported disease-breeding
localities in the town.
Thornton was first visited. and 1t was IL
o'clock before the round OF this hamlet was
finished. A thorough inspection Of the prem
Uses occupied by the several manufacturing
concerns in this place revealed IA condition of
affairs that indicated reason for alarm for the
health OF the community.
Directly north OF this village runs a small
stream that empties into the Pawtuxet River.
From this stream a channel has been built To
convey a portion OF the water 20 the mill OF
the Pocasset Warp Company near "Gallows
Bridge"
This artificial stream. as described in The
NEWS som weeks since. is the dumping
ground for the occupants OF a number OF
houses along its banks.
The fall in this stream Is so slight that the
water Is stagnant and. although fresbened by
the rains OF the past few days, IL was any
thing but cleanly this morning. IL was reek-
ing with filth, and the water, when stirred,
showed that ON the bottom Of the stream a
mass of Shiny matter had collected. The
channel Is used by the Pocasset Warp Com
pany To retain water for their use, and on
this account, considering the small supply OF
water. and the use that Is made Of the stream
for dumping purposes. 1t becomes a source OF
annoyance TO the residents, and IL a germ
breeding pot hole, a menace to the health OF
the community where &c exists.
II was not apparent that either Peck
hams or the British Hosiery Works
farther no on thi stream were responsible
for the fifth in this stream from their
works direct except as far as tenants em-
ployed by them might dump their re-
fuse matter. This was the view express
ed by the Councuilmen at the premises.
On Bottom avenue at ten cottages on
the premises of the British Hosiery Com
.oAv Tho nNI IN ufk.fl1fr1 q
found filled to their entire capacity.
This street has cases OF diphtheria as
shown by cards placed there by the
health officer.
These cottages were built for one fam
lily, but, in nearly every instance were
occupied by two families, although but
one sink Is to be found in any of tEem,
the extra family pouring the water that
should go into the cess pools upon the
street. This street runs from Plainield
to the stagnant stream referred to-, into
which the tenants throw their garbage
and while the Council were viewing the
premises a man started with a barrel of
refuse to the stream, but was ordered to
burn it by a member OF the Board.
All the vaults of the premises OF the
British HoiserysCompany were found in
a wretched condition and 100 feet south
of the mill office an open cess pool was
in view, reeking with bad odors.
On Inc pTeiuiSeS VI the O0dW eSthte an
even worse condition of affairs was dis
covered. Peckham's premises, farther
along on the stream..were in good condi-
ton.
Mr.. Cooper was waited upon and he
signified his intention OF using every
means in his power to rectify snything
that might be OF an ~unsanitary nature
on hi~is-premiises. He invited an inspec-
ton of his plant which was accepted and
here a mode arrangement for ventilation,
light and health was noticeable. Mr..
Cooper stated that Ii yeas to his interest
TO care for the health or his help. III
there were cases where matters had been
they would be r~ectified at once.
A member OF the Shaw family agreed
TO see that the premises of that estate
were looked after without delay.
TIL tour OF inspection here being COM
pleted the body adjournd for dinner
to resume their labors again this alter
noon.
r~.-a Euy-.l.- Co. L-aI.-