The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-01-22

O itary Committee and $50 in o.
o spectors. o
.
%~00O0o0000co0o 0~%
1t was band of earnest workers
which met yesterday morning at IL
o'clock at Progress Hall. The Citi-
zens Sanitary Committee had called
meeting of inspectors and sub-inspect-
ors for that hour, and they responded
to the number of about $50. The meet
ing was called to order at the appoint
ed hour by L. A. Thurston, chairman
of the committee. He stated that the
meeting had been called for the pur-
pose of explaining certain conditions
to inspectors, and in order that there
might be unanimity of understanding
as to their duties and powers.
Many inquiries had been made by in
spectors as to what their powers were.
Technically, their powers were limited
to those of inspection and report. They
were the eyes and ears of the Board of
Health, but practically inspectors could
accomplish great deal more than this
by the exercise of persuasion and
bluff" Sub-inspectors should use ey-
ery endeavor to cause insanitary con-
ditions to be remedied, reporting to
their inspectors-in-chief if their direc-
lions are not obeyed.
If the endeavors of the inspector are
unavailing. then report should be
made to the committee, which had ap-
pointed a subcommittee who held reg
ular commissions as agents of the
Board and who can serve regular legal
notices and take action against the
! persons responsible. They are not,
however, to refer anything of this kind
to the committee until they are GER
tain they cannot accomplish it them
selves.
! AS a sample of what can be accom-
| plished. one inspector had ordered
cesspool filled up, when the tenant OF
the premises replied that the inspector
could fill it himself, if he wanted it
filled. The inspector promptly re-
moved his coat When the obstreper-
GUS individual inquired what he was
going to do, the inspector replied, Il
am going to throw you head first into
that cesspool." The man in question
promptly wilted and had the hole filled
up before the inspector made his next
round. The inspector will have to use
discretion and tact according to the cir
cumstances of each individual case.
Constant complaints were made to
the committee about garbage The
Board of Health garbage wagons were
already overwhelmed with work and
could not be relied upon The recon-
mendation was that inspectors order
burned everything that would burn;
and If conditions allowed it, to bury
the rest under clean earth or lime, or
if this could not be done, order its re-
moval and report to the committee If
| it is not DONE The committee will
see the law enforced.
Mr.. Thurston especially impressed
upon the inspectors the necessity for
investigating and requiring the cleans
ing or filling up of insanitary cess
pools, as nothing was more liable to
spread the plague than excreta. He
said this committee is primarily one
for the discovery of plague cases and
to remedy conditions conducive to the
disease. He asked that they do not
spend too much time over general con-
ditions, which cannot be remedied un-
der the present pressure, but that they
be most stringent in regard to cess
pools and privies. They must not take
mo" for an answer, but report to the
committee any shortcoming in this re-
spect.
The necessity of, strict inspection
twice day was urged, owing to the
rapidity OF the action of the disease.
Last week three people died of plague
before morning who showed no symp-