The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-02-15
SATURDAY Is MASSACRE DAY
Plans of the oitizens' Committee in
Connection with Rat. Poisoning.

called meeting of the inspectors at
headquarters yesterday to conclude
arrangements, ways and means for
thoroughly distributing rat poison;
and to answer a number of questions
which had been raised in regard to the
matter.
Thirty-three out of the forty in
spectors were present, besides a num-
Der of sub-inspectors. A number of
the inspectors had been met with OBJ
jections from people in their several
districts to using the poison. Some of
these objections were as follows: Fear
that the poison would be eaten by
children, or dogs, cats and chickens;
that rats might get into water bitches
or houses and die, thereby becoming a
nuisance. A number were reported as
being Indifferent and disinclined to do
any work in regard to discriminating
the rodents.
Mr. Marsden addressed the meeting,
urging the Importance of enthusiasm
on the part of the inspectors, stating
that the poison was universally recon-
mended by those in the best position to
know; that the determination of rats
was of the greatest protection when
plague was in the midst of a commu-
nifty; that inspectors ought to take a
more active interest, and should 20
among the people, explaining to them
what was to be done.
Mr.. Thurston stated that he had
consulted the Board of Health concern
ing the various objections made and
that Mr.. George w. Smith had stated
that arsenic, the poison used, was
practically insoluble in water, SO that
if some of it did get into the water
it would have no evil effect. He stat
ed also that the Board was urgent that
the rat-poisoning program should be
carried out. Mr.. Smith stated to Mr..
Thurston that the Board felt so
strongly on the subject they would
pass by Authority" notice to the
public recommending the distribution
and Use of the poison.
Ihere was very general discussion
OF the poisoning scheme. Among 9TH
er inspectors w. R. Castle stated that
he was an inspector prior to the mi
tiation of the Citizens Sanitary Com
mittee, and in his district a number of
dead rats had been found in barns
which greatly disturbed the neighbor-
hood. Also, about week later, a dead
rat was found in a barn and not long
after servant living in building ad-
Jacent thereto, died of plague. In
view of this fact, which he knew of
his own knowledge, and of the univer-
sal advice of plague experts and of
the. Board of Health, he felt that no
effort would be too strong to have the
disposition of the poison, to be provid-
ed by the Sanitary Committee, ener-
getically pushed.
Il. F. Bishop urged that the in
structions be printed in circular form,
as there was considerable difficulty in
making the instructions of the COM
mittee understood among the Chinese
and Japanese.
Several inspectors felt that the re-
ward offered by the Board of Health
was. not made very tangible to many
who had called at the Health Depart
ment with the rats they had caught.
In order to encourage the use of the
poison among a considerable number
Of people, it was suggested that ar
rangements be made SO that the rats
need not be brought into town. 1t was
suggested that arrangements be per-
fected SO that the rats could be exhib-
tied to and destroyed in the presence
Of inspectors and sub-inspectors, so
that payment could be made by the
upon the inspectors certifi-
cate.
Mr.. Thurston stated the committee
would take this branch of the subject
up with the Board of Health and en-
ieavor to have such an arrangement
acceded to. He also stated that the
poison would be distributed without
charge, either for distribution or for
he poison. The distribution would
pc made by the inspectors, who could
procure orders on Benson, Smith &
TO-, front he committee for the amount
hey needed In their several districts.