The age-herald., 1898-05-24
CITY PRISONERS
 ARE PUT TO WORK Giving the Stree.S and Alleys a Much Needed Cleaning. HEALTH OFFICER BARCLEY And Dr.. E. P. ShoII, President of the Board oJ Health, Express Views on the San
 itary Condition of the City
 Need of Crematory.
HEALTH OFFICER BARCLEY

The streets and alleys of the city are receiving a much-needed cleaning up. The work is being done by a gang of city pris- oners under the supervision of Sanitary Officer Thomas. There has been much complaint recently as to the condition of some of the streets and alleys.
 Some of these complaints have reached Dr. J. w. Barclay, county health officer, who interests himself in the sanitary con- alton of the city, although he is not em- ployed by the city officials Dr. Barclay took rather somber view of the situation and at the annual meeting of the Conner cial club last Tuesday night when called upon by President Steiner to make few remarks upon the health of the city gave rather an unfavorable report of sanitary conditions, stating that the city officials pleaded the poverty of the city treasury as an excuse for not giving the proper atten- tion. His remarks received the serious consideration of the club, and on motion a committee was appointed to look into the matter.
 Dr. Barclay was seen at his office by an Age-Herald reporter and stated that his remarks at the Commercial club on the occasion of the annual meeting were merely informal, nor did he desire to un- duly excite the people of the city as to existing sanitary conditions which he pro- nOunced bad.
 Something must be done" he said, Ito avert an unhealthy summer. = The condi- tions unless speedily remedied will breed disease and the city authorities should exert every means to give this department needed attention.
 ''If the garbage contractors are not doing their duty they should be made to do so. Complaints have been made to me that the garbage is dumped just outside of the city limits, in settled neighborhoods, and I find that it is correct. I took Mayor Evans and Chairman Pearce, of the sanitary com- mittete of the city council, to the garbage dump near the Standard Oli company's plant in the southwestern portion of the city few days ago to see what could be done. The people claim that the odors arising from the garbage is unbearable and threaten to sue out an injunction.
 Complaints are also made of the condi- tion of dry closets. There are many such closets in the city proper, that should be connected with the sanitary sewers as re- quired by city ordinance. The sanitary officer tells me that the people residing on these premises are too poor to put in cons nections, which is a poor excuse, and should not be tolerated.
 ''The city needs a crematory badly, but the authorities say that the financial condi- tion of the city will not justify its pur- chase. Some years ago the city bought crematory plant, which, in the hands of garbage contractors, was allowed to go to ruin. This is the month that cleaning up should be done and the good health of the city demands that 1t receive attention"
 Alderman Pearce, of the sanitary com mittee, was seen and referred the reporter to Dr. D. P. Sholl, president of the board of health. pr. Sholl was found in his office conversing with Dr. Moody president of the state board of health, who was in the city on business connected with his depart rnent When the subject of sanitation was preached both physicians manifested great interest and expressed themselves freely. Dr. Sholl said:
 'T have been assured by the mayor that some of the city prisoners will be placed at the disposal of the sanitary officer, and the board of health who is cooperating with the city in the work of sanitation.
 'I have personally inspected some of the alleys with General Thomas, and with a little work they can be cleaned up.
 'What the city needs Is a good crema- tory but a good plant will cost in the neighborhood of $25 900, which, with the present financial condition of the city is almost impossible. The health of the ely is good, and with the assistance from the prisoners the city can be put in good shape"
 Dr. Moody expressed some pertinent views on sanitation, and made several in- uuiries concerning the city. When told