The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-03
INTEREST IN TIE MASS MEETING.
Indications Point to Large and Enthusiastic
Attendance.
OPINIONS OF THE LOCAL PHYSICIANS
All Approve the Movement and Point
out How Necessary 1t Is-Their
Interviews.

The cleaner Houston movement Is
meeting with the unanimous and unquai-
flied Endorsement of the people of the
city.
Up to the present time not single dis
senting voice has been raised against Inc
Posts suggestion to hold mass meeting
for the purpose OF discussing sanitary az
fairs and, II deemed necessary. forming an
organization of citizens, the duty OF when
shall be to assist In every possible way
the local health department in its efforts
to maintain perfect sanitary conditions AS
has been pointed out several times since
the matter was first agitated, there is no
desire 10 ID any way belittle the work
which has been and is being done by Dr.
Massie and his assistants, or to antag-
onize the department in the slightest de-
gree. On the other hand, 1t is the inten-
tion of those interested in the movement
to do all In their power to further the
work OF the department. which is re-
stricted on account of the comparatively
small force which the city is able TO en-
ploy.
AS will be seen from his interview in
yesterdays Post DR.. Massie Endorses the
proposed plan thoroughly and states that
he will be more than glad to have the as
sistance of the people of the city In pre-
serving proper sanitary conditions.
The mass meeting will take place at s
o'clock this afternoon In the Business
League rooms. on Franklin avenue, and,
judging from the interest manifested IN
the matter on all sides, the attendance
will be large and enthusiastic.
A number Of the local physicians In ad-
dition to those whose interviews appeared
In yesterdays paper. were seen by repre-
sentatives of The Post yesterday and all
OF them unhesitatingly Endorsed the pro-
posed plan for the betterment OF the citys
sanitary affairs. The expressions OF the
medical men seen yesterday are given be-
low:
DR.. ]. H. Sampson said: Il consider that
the present time is tho most important In
which not only TO agitate but also to
take action. in order that our city may
be put in most advantageous sanitary
condition to combat the contagious dis
eases which are undoubtedly becoming
more prevalent in our community. ! think
every citizen of Houston should willingly
lend his aid in promoting this important
movement"
DR.. f. B. Hogg-I approve OF the meet
ing and think sanitary measures should be
taken.
DR.. J. J. Burton--rt will be a step in the
right direction undoubtedly.
DR.. G. H. Swall--I think a public meet
ing will do good, because there will be
physicians there and they will tell the
people that cleanliness is matter of the
utmost Importance TO public health: that
cleanliness is another word for hygiene
Not only personal cleanliness, but clean
homes, clean streets, pure water TO drink
and pure food to eat. There are several
things very much at fault in the sanitary
condition of this city. First and most i'm
portant is the water supply. The water
which We have for drinking purposes is
not pure. / have 1t on reliable authority
that So per cent Of the city water Is
obtained from the bayou. Then our drain
age is bad, AS is obvious to everybody.
the surface water OF the streets is not
carried off completely by the cutters
Some of the streets have been so con-
structed that the water can not pass off
by the cutters, Take Fannin street for en-
ample. The result is that after rain
water stands In the streets and cutters
until 1t is removed after days by evapora-
ton. This country, owing % It's close
connection with the West Indies, is more
liable than II has been for many years to
invasions OF epidemic diseases. The stag
nant water OF which we have so much
for these diseases / approve tho meet
ing. Public health Is next in importance
to public peace.
DR.. r. G. Turner-I am fully In accord
with the movement and think such a step
Is necessary.
II indorse the movement" said DR.. z.
N. Gray. although l think that nothing
essarily alarm the people of the city. Pro-
per sanitation is highly important for,
while 1t may not always prevent the entry
OF diseases. 1t is highly beneficial in keep
ing them from spreading"
You can not make my Endorsement of
The Posts plan too strong" said DR.. V. S.
MacNider when approached on the subject.
Il am most thoroughly in favor OF 1t. I
would even venture the suggestion that
the organization OF citizens such as is
proposed should be made permanent one,
as its. works, II properly applied. would
do no end Of good next summer ana every
succeeding year as we'll as during the pres
ent season. 1t Is very important matter
and ] am more than glad to see that DR..
Massie is In accord with 1t. The ease with
which yellow fever was slipped into the
Soldiers home at Hampton shows conclu-
sively that too many precautions can not
be taken In the way Of maintaining proper
sanitary conditions.
"Of course, indorse sucL movement. .
said pr. d. L. Fox, when seen, regarding
the matter In hand. The completion Of
the new sewage system will work a decid-
- Improvement In the health OF the city.
but II will be some months yet before