The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-21

At a meeting OF Municipal Ownership Club l,
held at 80 Clipper street Thursday evening,
Novem Der Ia, the question OF the water supply
OF San Francisco being under discussion, II
was brought out from the testimony OF mem
bers prese Mt from different parts of Noe Valley
that the water furnished this portion OF the
City had, from some unknown cause, become
very disagreeable both in taste and smell, and
was causing much dissa tisfactiou. The under
signed were thereupon appointed a committee
10 inquire into the sourc OF supply ana ascer-
tain if possible the cause OF the deterioration,
and TO take any steps possible toward the i'm
provement of the water. We have found upon
Gated near Bernal Heights, and said to
be the source OF supply for Noe Val
ley, is not in such condition as TO
reassure lis of the purity an healthfulness of
our drinking water. On the contrary we found
the water stagnant, and the bed OF the reservoir
as far as could be observed from the edges con-
tains large amount OF filth. We therefore
beg leave to call your attention 10 the matter,
with the suggestion that your honorable body
has the power 10 compel any person or persons
supplying water to the people OF the City and
County of San Francisco 10 at all times keep
their reservoirs, tanks, screens and pipes prop
erly cleaned and in good repair and 10 see that
water is supplied in sufficient quantities TO
prevent stagnation; in :act, to exercs e such
inspection and supervision over the wat er sup
ply es Will insure the best possible results with
the means at hand.
report stating that he had examined the
sanitary condition of the City and County
Hospital, the TWenty-sixth Street Hospital,
Receiving Hospital, City and County Aims
house, County Jail, Branch Jail 2, formerly
known as the House of Correction. and
Branch Jail 3, formerly known as the
Industrial School.
The report further stated that in a gen.
eral way, with one or two minor exceptions,
the scheme of sanitation in the various
buildings is inadequate, dangerous tC
health, offensive and in violation of the
laws which the Board of Health have es-
tabllshed. Numerous recommendations
looking to the improvement of the sanitary
conditions OF the various institutions were
made. The report was placed on file.
Dr. Frederick A. Stable, the recently
appointed Superintendent of the City and
County Hospital, presented his first
monthly report, in which he spoke in
severe terms of the condition in which he
found the hospital particularly in relation
TO the sanitary arrangements. He asked
the board to take particular notice of the
plumbing, and TO make such alterations
aud repairs as will place the institution in
at least safe condition for inmates and
attaches. He also asked the board to
create the office OF expert plumber for the
hospital, make an appointment to fill it
and provide funds for the payment of the
salary.
The protest of property Owners against
the chemical tannery" at Fourteenth and
Dolores Streets which was ordered moved
by the last board without result was re-
ferred to DIR. Williamson and Health Off.
Ger Lovelace, with instructions to investi-
gate and abate the alleged nuisance if
necessary.
Property-owners on Grove street near
Ivy avenue, sent In a communication ask
ing that a nuisance at 706 Ivy avenue be
abated. They stated that Charles Alpers,
who was recently granted the contract for
49, Il L, L.
limits, had begun to carry carcaSSeS to the
address mentioned, to the great annoyance
of residents in the district The board
agreed to investigate the matter.
A communication was received from Y.
Marshall Law, rector of the Church of the
Advent, Oakland, calling attention to
what he termed the danger from contagion
through the communion cup in churches.
He claimed that because the cup was not
cleansed after each communicate used it
and because the wine was not changed
after each time it was used, great
danger of the spread of disease existed.
The board decided that the matter did not
come under its jurisdiction and therefore
declined to take action.
Sewer Inspector A. b. Kline called at
tention to the danger to the public health
arising from the sewers discharging into
the inlet at Channel street. He classed the
flow of the Channel-street sewer under the
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh street
bridges as a menace and recommended
that the matter be remedied al once An
investigation will be made.
DR.. Williamson stated that he under
stood that large number of cases OF ty-
phoid fever had been found in the City
within the past few months and moved
that in future physicians be required to
report the presence of the disease as soon
as it came under their observation.
The board thought fayorably OF the mat
ter and also decided to have its inspectors
investigate all cases reported and ascertain
If possible how the disease had been con-
tracted.
A special meeting of the board will be
held within few days to consider the
milk question and other matters.
More Time for the Fairs.