Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-12

About this time in each succeeding
year the city health authorities take up
the subject Of new crematory and dis
cuss the matter for an interval irregu-
lar in it's length.
Nothing tangible is ever done-but
that is not the fault of the health au-
thorities. They would build rev Gre
matory quick enough, if they knew just
what sort to erect, had the necessary
money, and proper location. With
out any of these essentials, however,
progress is necessarily slow, and in the
past few years the advance made is
scarcely perceptible to the unaided Wis
ion.
At a recent session of the Board OF
Health the matter of the inadequacy of
the present furnace was talked over,
and preliminary survey was ordered
made. Last evening the Board met,
with Health Officer Jepson, City Engln-
eer White and Contractor Hamilton,
and details were entered into.
1t is plain preliminary proposition
that, while the present furnace has done
tremendous amount of good work in
its time, it is, and has been for years,
over-worked in the summer season, and
1t is equally apparent that there should
be better location. Many attempts
have been made, in various forms, to
provide more accessible site, but with
out tangible results, and as to the fur
mace itself, many repairs have been
made, but they simply kept the affair
running and added nothing to its ca
pacity
The present proposition is dual one:
either to build an addition to the plant,
practically doubling it's capacity, at a
cost of say $500, and continue the
present mode of operation; or, erect a
separate and improved furnace, at cost
of about s5,000 and so arranged as to
permit the saving and sale of bi-pro-
ducts, using one furnace for night-soil
and the other for garbage and dead an
finals.
Since the present furnace was erect
ed there has been distinct advance
In cremation and reduction methods,
and the keynote of last evenings meet
ing was to secure information as to
the relative value of furnaces and
plants, and then recommend the best
to Council. Messrs Hamilton, Jepson
and White all made statements to the
A1O1i u last CfCplHS, dlu lOHS us
cussion followed, which covered a prop
osition to send the City Engineer to At
lantic City, Baltimore, Philadelphia,
New York, Brooklyn, and other East
ern cities where the best furnaces are
in active operation, there to procure
data from actual observation. During
the discussion of this proposition
Health Officer Jepson stated that it was
practically certain that at the coming
session Of the American Public Health
Association an elaborate report upon
the subject would be made by Rudolph
Herring, who was charged with an
elaborate investigation two years ago,
who had extended his observations to
Europe and who submitted a prelimi-
nary report at the last meeting.
AS result of the discussion, and as
q purely preliminary measure, DR.. Jep-
son moved that the City Engineer be
authorized to investigate some present
plants by correspondence, and make a
report at the next session of the Board.
This was adopted
At the next meeting this infoi nation
will be available, and it will then be
determined whether or not Mr.. White
shall make a short tour of the cities
named for the purpose indicated, his
information to be embodied In a report
to Council.