The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-26

A. o. Nash, of 1144 North Capitol Street
has sent n communication to the Commits
sioners, in which he takes the ground that
most forms of municipal service can bc
performed better By the oversight of the
District officials than by the letting out o
such service to private contractors. In
part Mr. Nash says:
''ln behalf of the enhancement OF full
liberty to our citizenship and the main
tenance of the principles of our Govern
melt, for. OF. and by the people. l feel
justified in addressing you upon the con-
tract service proposed relative to ashes
and garbage.
after series of experiments the Street
Cleaning Department has concluded that
the officials of the Government can exc
cute the cleaning as economically and far
more satisfactorily, If personally conducted.
| than to delegate it, and, with it. some
| rights of execution. to contractors. l view
this conclusion as promising and Of bene
fit to the people. and as aiding principle
that will enhance proper respect for right
| methods Of municipal government. Is it
not practicable to apply the same principle
| to the removal of ashes and garbage?
In 1885. for time. l was an inspector
| of complaints coming from non collection
| OF garbage. My experience leads to the
| conclusion that the contract service as
then conducted. substantially was a grant
| in the nature OF subsidy to the con-
tractor. Arbitrary and humiliating rules
| followed. and necessarily must accompany
executions under any contract system. I'M
less honor Of the highest degree possess
| the contractors. Observation will show that
considerable irritation. and, I believe.
greater taxation follows. under any popu-
lar form of government, the establishment
OF the principles Of the subsidy and con-
| tract systems
THE legislat on promotive of contracts
in regard to ashes and garbage is now in
Congress being adjusted in conference.
| l hope the prospective law will permit the
| Commissioners the same liberty that has
been granted to the cleaning of streets.
| Suggestions may not be without benefit
| Therefore, 1 would like to state what
think would be a wise procedure. and If
amendments to the law are necessary
| hope they will be Forthcoming.
Il am gratified that the collection Of
| refuse and street cleaning will be exc
| cuted under the same management. The
| by-products from ashes may be made
resource of considerable value and at the
| same time afford employment to the
needy and means to this end should be
utilized.
In New York and vicinity ashes are
collected in wagons. the receptacles hold
| ing them being dumped with the utmost
carelessness. and the method is offensive
From the wagons the ashes are dumped
into boats which are fioated down the
harbor and emptied in the channels lead
ing thereto. The service conducted only
for the personal profit of the contractor
has crippled navigation. and representa-
tiyes from that city last year asked Con-
gress for s13.C00.000 to dredge the harbor
and to overcome the hindrances to navi-
CATION caused principally by the dumping
OF ashes into the waters of the bay by |
city contractors. If that city had main
tanned the principle of municipal execu-
ton different result would probably |
have been obtained
Il suggest that collections be made by |
placing certain persons who are to be held |
personally responsible in certain allotted !
districts. and to provide means so as to |
invite the poorest to compete for this |
work. To aid in Clearly process 1 would |
have the collections placed in large ash |
cans. with closed tops. one to each vehicle |
or many. and cause them 10 be delivered |
at convenient sub-stations and lifted from
the collection vehicle to a car or auto
movie OF large capacity, the lifting to be
accomplished by horse or motor and crane
TO this end ground should be obtained and
perhaps trolley street road connections
made.
From the sub-stations wagons or cars
would convey to the principal station
somewhere in the suburbs. 1 think upon
the marshes Of the Eastern Branch. to
fill in and reclaim land that should be-
long to the public. At this station a
portable screen and separating devices
should be erected and the cans there
opened and emptied. Such screened ashes
as may be available fuel for the poor
might be reconveyed to the sub-statinns
and sold or otherwise disposed of. The
tins. glass ircn and vegetable substances
could be advantageously handled at the
central station and disposed of 70 those
who could utilize them.
The street sweepings should 20 the
same road. and If an arrangems mt could
be made with the street railroad manage
ment very economical system of execu-
ton might be effected. 1t is my impress
sion that il the ashes and the street Z.
sweepings are screened together. and there
Is added a suitable proportion of lime.
profitable. or at least an acceptable fer
.ilizer might be obtained sufficiently valu- I
able to be OF use to the farmers and
gardeners in the vicinity.
THE District OF Columbia should at 7
east eventually. own its plant. and a re-
iuction system. saving all that is practic-
ible. should be put into execution. In a
,ention has made it practicable to make a
he labor and accomplishment of the dis I
POSING OF garbage in this way less of a ,
public nuisance than a livery stable or of :,
zone manufactures. Under contract =
system the contractors will not always +
onstruct with sufficient thoroughness 10 =
maintain a respectable name for these h
necessary institutions. The collection OF II
garbage at once should be undertaken by ,,
he city. For a limited period il might be =
Movable to contract for the disposal Of or h
he working up OF this waste. but in any
vent the Government should own the 70
'hole plant. either at the beginning or at 7
he termination of the contract period E,
IELD FOR GRAND JURY ACTION. n y,