The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-26
Street Cleaning.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journals
Most of the day STRENGTHENING of this city
is now being done in complete ignorance of
the first principles of the correct conduct Of
that work. The paramount object to be at
tanned should not be the removal of dirt.
but the subduing of the dust. and to this
end we do not make free enough use of
water, though, we have two streams and a
complete water-works source to draw from.
Whatever else is done, the disgraceful
clouds of dust that continually swirl through
some of our streets should be kept down.
Our streets are intended to be travelled upon.
and not to furnish respiratory stimulants or
depressants. but over great areas of the city
it is. as Macbeth says:
Tomorrow. and tomorrow. and to-mor-
Creep. in this petty farce. from day t. day,
The way TO dusty DEATH"
The few peripatetic sprinkling carts that
make sporadic. weary trips stir up about as
much dust as they quiet. because of their
numbering long hauls with heavy-footed ami
mails but not in actual action. and when the
water flies IL is only from one nozzle, for
fear of wasting the precious fluid. If the
city is so fortunate as to be visited by
shower the benefit is only short-lived, for
just as soon as the rain begins every men,
Der of the STRENGTHENING force goes fishing.
this is just the time for their kndest Of
fees TO be performed, and the time of all
others when the most good can be done
with the least labor. 1t Is an indisputable
fact that. under the present regime, the
harder the rain the dirtier will most Of the
streets be left The street.car tracks are full
of dust and dry filth all the time, blown
hither and thither in clouds by every car
or breeze, and when the tracks filled
filthy dust out on the pavements (soon TO
become fine dust again.) This conglomerated
liquid and solid filth pastes the street and
drain only the improved streets, and large
quantities of earth, and filth. and liquid
dead rat and rot are washed out of them.
The unpaved street-car tracks are all the
time being filled with fresh dirt hauled in
and dumped into the middle Of the streets,
only to be soon ground out as dust, while
humble tradesman dare not so much as
sweep off his sidewalk without fear of ar
rest Many cutters are fat rough and so
nearly dead level that water will not run in
them unless there is young freshet, and
as result. the downtown ones usually
look and smell both diabolical and am
moniacal
But the dust is the worst evil Of all. 1t is
the despair of the housekeeper and the sani-
tartan, for II compels the closing of houses
should be wide open. though. after all. this
closure keeps out only the heaviest particles.
It INJURIES goods. clothes, furnishings and
ems foliage. grass and vegetation. causes
sore eyes, gets in our food and our lungs,
produces Ill health and shortenS life, because
full of disease-producing heterogeneous
overdrawn condition is the freer use Of
water. Better have mud than dust but 1t is
not necessary TO have either. Plain water
will do. but If you want one load to go as
far as three Gas shall soon show) put salt
in II. Salt is Of the best disinfectants.
and should be used for its value in this di-
rection alone. In the London sprnkling
carts permanganate of potash is used. one
ounce in one hundred gallons. and it is eff
fective. During recent visit to San Fran
ments being made by the Merchants AS
ISOLATION of that city In the use of salt
water for sprinkling streets, and herewith
quote from its report since obtained. salt
water counteracts decomposition Of organic
matter in the dirt and refuse, and binds tho
dirt together. so that when II is dry no loose
dust is formed to be raised by the wind: sea
water does not dry so quickly as fresh
water has been used that one load of 1t is
equal TO three loads Of fresh water. The salt
water which is deposited on the street alb
serbs moisture from the air during the
night, whereby the street Is thoroughly
| moist during the early morning. and has the
appearance of having been freshly
Sprinkled.
AS the street-car tracks are the great Of
tenders in the collection of dust and the
street cars are the great offenders in its dis
company should bear some of the burden or
work of abating the evil. And all sources of
| dust or dirt should be carefully looked to
by the authorities and measures taken to
| Its chance of replenishment. Many of these
/ have taken note of, but / cannot further
lengthen this article by enumerating them
| II is enough 10 say: Keep down the dust
first clean up the dirt afterward and don't
| Indiana nOlis July "a