Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-26
DESTROYING GARBAGE.
The Result Of Health Omcer Wood.
wards Investigations.

The Result Of Health Omcer Wood
wards Investigations.
Health Officer Woodward has submitted
to the Commissioners a report Of his re-
cent trip north, embodying the results Of
his Investigation Of different systems Of
disposing Of garbage. He has now made a
study Of six styles Of crematories and four
reduction plants. In his report he gives a
detailed account OF the working Of the
systems he inspected on his latest trip,
and then summarizes bis work up to the
present time as follows:
THE following reduction processes have
been examined: American reduction-Merz.
improved Merz, Simonin and Arnold. Each
Of these has for its object the extraction
Of grease and the preparation of the resi-
due. known as tankage, to be used for
mixing with phosphates for purposes Of
making marketable fertilizers.
"All of these processes involve a certain
amount Of handling of the garbage, grease
and tankage, with the odors incident there
to. The method by which these odors may
be cared for has been indicated in pre-
vious report, namely, their destruction by
fire. This is an expensive procedure, re-
quiring the construction of a special VEN
tilating apparatus and the maintenance of
ventilation by mechanical means. In a
properly constructed building with suitable
apparatus of this kind, and under rigid su-
pervision, 1t might be possible to maintain
a reduction process with as little nuisance
as it is possible to maintain crematory.
1.-THE following crematories have been in
spected: The Rider, Engle, Brown, Smith,
Dixon and Brownlee. Their action has al
ready been set forth.
I'm the selection of method for the dis
posal of garbage and in considering the
methods which have been examined. 1t IS
necessary to separate the nuisance which
may arise from the improper management
of a properly constructed crematory or re-
duction plant and that which must neces-
sarily arise owing to the method itself.
Any one of the reduction processes which
I have examined is in itself a nuisance
Any of item may. in my judgment. be
maintained in this city in a tightly con-
structed building with perfect system Of
artificial ventilation, and decomposition of
noxious gases by means of fire. This, it
will be observed, is not a part of the re-
duction process. but method especially
provided for preventing nuisance arising
from that process. and is equally applica-
BILE to all. The Rider crematory has not
been examined while burning pure gar
bage, such as is collected in this city. 1t
differs so in principle from all others that
l do not feel warranted In expressing an
opinion as to its merits.
1.-THE Smith crematory will successfully
destroy garbage, and it's only defect. the
leakage of water, has been referred to be-
fore. The Engle and Brown crematories
have both been employed to destroy such
garbage as is collected here and have done
so successfully.
Neither the Brownlee nor the Dixon have
been examined while employed for this
purpose, but from their resemblance to tho
Engle and Brown crematories I think they
might probably. with a few slight modifica-
tons. be so employed.
"As the result of my investigations am
of the opinion that the Engle, Brown,
Brownlee and Dixon furnaces might be
used in this city for the destruction of gar
bage without creating a nuisance.
1T will be noted that the odor arising
from the garbage while being handled in
crematories is drawn by the draft in any
properly constructed furnace. into the fire
and there destroyed. thus accomplishing,
naturally and without material expense,
what in the reduction process has TO be
done artificially and at some cost"