The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-09
CITIZENS CRY
FOR PROTECTION
Public Dumps a Menace to Public
Health.
THE STENCIL IS UNBEARABLE.
DIR. Oppenhimcr Denies Responsibility
but Consents To- Trying the ENpcr-
iment offered 10y Col. Cutshaw
10 Burn the Offensive Matter

y powerful factor 90 The growth Of
Richmond is the public dumps that are
protruberant at SO many street ends.
They are especially In the public eye at
this time when sanitation is being given
more than the usual amount OF attention.
Indeed there are lots of people in Rich
mond that are red hot about these dumps
and ready for anything short of revolution
to get rid Of the evils they suffer on ac-
count Of them and unless the powers that
be. take full cosnizance of their COM
plants they are likely 90 hear something
drop ere long.
The question has recently been mp IN
the Police Court and people have recently
sought the aid OF the papers 20 enforce
some action for relief
A CONFERENCE.
A two hours conference was held in
the ofnce of the Police Justice yesterday
in regard to the complaints made by cii-
zens of the nuisance causd by the public
dumps of the city.
They lay the blame on the Board OF
Health and unless relief is speedily see
cured, propose TO indict the city before
the grand jury.
There are twenty or more public dumps
IN the city and the matter dumped ON
them contains more or less offensive and
inhamnablc matter.
The citizens near 90 some Of them
charge that entire families have been
made sick by reason OF these dumps thai
the dumps periodically catch ahre ana
that the smoke and stencil is for days
at a time unbearable.
OFFICERS CALLED TOGETHER.
justice Crutchneld called the confer
ence with a view Of adopting some meth-
cd OF abating the nuisance without nav
ing 10 take the matter in the courts. lie
summoned City Attorney II. r. Pollard,
city Engineer Col. Cutshaw. Chairman.
DR. Oppenhimer. Of the Board oft Health.
Councilman Burton. Of the Health Com
mittee Chief Fuller Of, the Fire Depart
ment and they were all present
Councilman Marx Cunts was also there
an interested listener. and Sergeant shin
berger OF the CHIEF Of Policies Office.
was there representing himself and the
neigbborhood I'm which he lives. as COM
plainant against the nuisance caused BY
the dump at the foot Of Tenth street
Justice Crutchneld stated that null
sancc existed. that the city has no more
right 10 commit or maintain nuisance
than an individual. and that IL must be
abated That he had many complaints
from citizens who were demanding pro-
lection and that he was authorized 10
say thot unless the nuisance was abated
the city would be indicted, that judgment
perhaps for a thousand dollars would
be obtained. and that amount Of money
would be transferred from the treasury Of
a. %
and the matter would probably then
stand just where it does now.
CITY ATTORNEY.
The city Attorney concurred in these
views and emphaucally announced that
II was the duty OF the city 10 provide men
and money 10 prevent such nuisances
and 10 protect the health OF IT'S citizens.
Col. Cutshaw again suggested his pre-
yiouslv mentioned play or raking down
the dumps and burning the Objectionable
matter In small piles at the bottom. using
oil If necessary 10 complete the dcstruc-
lion Of offending matter.
Chief-of-Fire Department Fuller stated
that he went 10 the dump on Tenth street
Sunday when a fire company was called
out and that the clothes he then wore
were so permeated with the stencil. that.
though constantly aired since then he
doubted If he could wear them again.
DIR. OPPENHIAlER.
Dr. Oppenhimer stated that the City
Engineer department and the people al
large placed large amount OF matter
on these dumps and that the Board of
Health should not De held altogether
responsible II fire broke out here. lie
declined TO adopt the fire method. he
cause If he did then he would be held
responsible for an fires that occurred on
the dumps and ne was not willing TO as
sumo that responsibility.
Justice Crutchheld held that he was so
responsible anyway.
Or. Oppenhimer said he would acopt
the plan Of removing such material 10 the
crematory 10 De destroyed. but would
not use fire az the dump n he was 20 Re !
held responsible for nuisances caused ly
the dump burning
Justice Crutchneld offered IN his Official |
capacity 70 protect him that Tar.
The question OF men and money was dis
cussed and all agreed that the city
should make an appropriation to care for