The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-02
Plan to Organize Citizens League
Heartily Endorsed.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION fAvoRS IT
Views Of City Health Officer Massie in the
Premises.
IDEA IS TO ASSIST HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Force Doing Good Work. hut Not
Large Enough to Cover the CITY.
Necessity of Immediate Action.

The editorial In yesterdays POST IN
which was embodied a suggestion to the
effect that the citizens OF Houston organ
ize a sanitary league for the purpose OF
assisting the health department in IT'S
work OF keeping the city clean and main
tanning proper sanitary conditions, has
met with enthusiastic and unanimous
approval. Out of a large number of per-
sons with whom representatives OF The
Post discussed the matter yesterday; not
one was found who was not In hearty
accord with the plan and who did not
express the opinion that great good to
the city at large would result from an
organized. unanimous effort on the part
OF the people to keep the city clean.
As was pointed out In the editorial pub
lished yesterday, the idea is for the pro-
posed organization to work in perfect
accord with City Health Officer Massies
department, and TO assist 1t In every pos
sible way.
Several OF the physicians interviewed
yesterday made the statement that the
local sanitary conditions we're better than
ever before. but all thought that there
was still room for vast Improvement.
DR.. Massie has been doing some good
work since he assumed the duties OF his
present position, but his force is limited
and as natural result the scope of his
labors Is restricted with the situation
as 1t is at present II takes two much time
for the department to cover the city
thoroughly, and Just now the matter Of
time is very important one. 1t is for
the purpose of assisting the department
In every way that the proposed organiza-
tion Of citizens is suggested.
"A stitch in time saves nine" according
to the old adage. and a comparatively
small amount of labor and money. judic-
iously expended just at present, may save
thousands OF dollars which would be lost
should the yellow fever scares of 1897
and 1898 repeat themselves. Even with
the subject Of yellow fever eliminated
from the matter under consideration. II
may be readily seen that the proper eff
forts put forth now will do an enormous
amount of good.
One or two of the gentlemen seen yes
terday hesitated to at once give their
full Endorsement OF the plan for the
reason that, according to their Views. an
undue agitation OF the matter would
tend to unnecessarily alarm the people of
the city and might cause some OF them to
leave in anticipation of the results OF
neglect OF sanitary matters. This view,
however. is by no means conceded in
by the majority OF citizens, The general
belief is that ii Will be best to apprise
the public OF the situation as it really
exists, pointing out at the snme time the
incontrovertible fact that no danger is
TO be apprehended II the proper precau-
lions are taken.
DR.. S. c. Red, when approached by a
Post reporter regarding the matter in
hand, said that he was most heartily in
favor of any plan that would tend to i'm
prove the sanitary condition of the city,
organization of citizens would prove a
very efficient means of arriving at the
desired end, provided there was an alb
solute unanlmity of action.
II am in hearty accord with such a
PLAN said City Health Officer Massic,
when the matter was preached to him
Il have been doing all in my power to
keep the city clean. but my force Ia not
as large as 1t might be and 1t takes time
10 cover the city completely and thorough
ly. ] am sure that an immense amount
OF benefit is to be derived from citizens
sanitary organization such as The Post
proposes 10 form. i will be more than
glad to receive any assistance that may
be rendered my department"
Tho plan Is a good one" said DR.. ]. w
Scott president Of the board OF health.
The health department is doing all in
Its power. but under the present condl-
lions concerted move on the part of the
citizens, looking to the maintenance OF
proper sanitation on their own individual
premises. will no doubt do great deal OF
good
Everything which will tend to keep
our city clean and our people In good
health meets with my most hearty APP
prevail and Endorsement" said DR.. d. F..
Stuart. II can't make this statement too
se'NAb' AhV. pcoPit VI Diner ieAhS Cities
have greatly improved general sanitary
conditions by unanimous and properly
directed effort and the organization of a
Cleaner Houston league at the present
time would no doubt he productive of
much good. fail TO see how any one
could consistently oppose such move
ment"
THE city is cleaner now than II has ever
been before during my residence here
said Dr. r. t. Morris, "but that is by no
means good reason why every effort
should not be made to put II In oven bet
tor condition. The health department ia
doing good work. but It can not do every
thing all at once. and tho assistance to be
derived from properly organized league
% citixenA would undoubtedly be Of great
bsnsnt, Then. too, full and complete
discussion Of sanitary matters at the pro-
posed mass meeting would be very hem
snciai In bringing out the true facts and
conditions ~ they exist. as well as an In
terehapge Of ideas on various subjects
Tho plan u . good one and the people Of