The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-30

1t is a pity that many thousands Of
the citizens of this city could not have
been at Guernsey hall last night to
hear the fine addresses which were
given under the auspices of the Eco
nomics section Of the Green Ridge
Women's club. They would have heard
some rather pointed remarks regarding
the unsanitary conditions Of the
streets.
The platform was occupied by Mrs
Linda Hull Larned. Of Syracuse. N. Y:
Mrs. c. p. Davidson, Mrs. I. J. Lansing
Mr.. c. F.. wingate, Of New York; Hon.
John r. Farr, Rev. l. j. Lansing, D.
D.. Martin D. Flaherty, president Of
Central Labor union, and James A.
Lansing. The seats at the right of the
aisle were occupied by body of men
representing the labor organizations of
the city. Many members and friends
of the Women's club were also present
Mrs. G. P. Davidson presided. The
first speaker of the evening was c. F.
Wingate, of New York, the famous
civil engineer expert on sanitation,
and who has probably done more to
influence health legislation in the state
of New York than any other man.
w ulSdte SPOKE OIL tHe IdCt lNdC
the workingmans sole capital Is his
health and that, owing to the neces-
s!ty of work, he Is more exposed to
disease in mine, shop and factory
where the conditions are apt to be un-
favorable, than are other people The
Trades Union statistics show that the
largest portion of his wages goes tow
ard beneficial organization for emerg-
encies of sickness and need. The fact
that in the Printers union strike s154
went toward the strike fund, while S40,-
~ was devoted to mutual benefit So
cieties is proof of this statement
The frequently made assertion that
the worklngman could save money If
it were not for drink is not true. Drink
is not the cause Of his poverty, but
often the end. the tenement. the
dampness and disease lead him to this
result. Sanitary reform neutralzes
the evil Of the slum and the tenement
IDEA ABANDONED.
The idea that disease and epidemcs
were as inevitable and relentless as a
cyclone or an earthquake has been
abandoned. Lord Palmerston said
when the people urged an appointment
Of a day of fasting and prayer be-
cause of the plague, he advised the
petitioners to "go home and clean up"
At Memphis when the yellow fever
was raging n statesman said: 1--WE
have enough heroism and self-sacrifice,
| we want drainage and common sense"
The speaker then said: II am glad
to learn that many working men in
Scranton own their homes and that
through building and loan associations
more Of these are being obtained. You
are paying for your house on the in
stallment plan and you grudge every
outgO that threatens a payment When
they want to run a sewer through your
property you protest and say: What
is the use?' Do you realize what a
money value you have in these i'm
provements and what a setback prop
erty gets where a neglect of sanitation
has been allowed.
Certain diseases are now known as
preventable. This is only since the
Crimcan war. There are great names
to which the advocates of sanitation
may point. Moses was the first, and
his laws yet stand. The Jews in their
! method of slaughtering cattle. in their
refusal to eat tainted food. show the
results in the health Of their race. Con-
sumption and cancer are almost un-
known among them. Hippocrates, Dr.
Jenner, Priestly, Pasteur. Koch, Eli
Whitney, who made it possible for a
man to wear a clean shirt: Colonel
Waring. Prof Chandler. c. L. Brace.
Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton,
Baker Billings and others form the
list Of those who have made it pos
sible to avoid disease.
In the filthy tenements the children
die. In the crowded East the plaques
NOW down thousands where a hot bed
of contagion is always existing.
INSPECTION OF CELLARS.
Mr.. Wingate then gave practical
suggestions. recommended a rigid in
specticn Of cellars. which must be
kept dry and well ventilated. else the
noxious eXhalations are continuously
drawn upward into the living rooms.
Never, under any circumstances"
he said. "allow slops thrown about the
house; the greasy, soapy water clogs