The Sunday globe., 1901-08-11
CARD FROM DR.. PORTER
In Which He DiSclalmS Responsible
ity for Nuisance at Ninth and E
Cacouna, P, o. August 5, 1901.

To THE EDITOR OF The GLOBE;
l have received a copy of the Sun
day Globe of July 2Sth, attacking me
in an article which refers to a broken
sewer at No. 444 Ninth street n. w,
I am not responsible for the drainages
to the same. Mr.. d. A. Sandfords
workmen, in tearing down the build
ings-9O4 906 90S and 80 e street
N. W.-haye broken and damaged the
sewer, therefore ! am an innocent per.
son in regard to the matter
Mr. Savage, the tenant at No 444
Ninth street, makes all Improvements
and repairs at his own cost during the
term Of his lease Mr.. c. G. Duncan.
son and Mr., Hall, the confectionery
whose place of business is on f street.
uses this same sewer, and neither OF
whom has ever paid me for the use Of
the same for draining the premises,
Nos. 436, 43S, 440 and 442 Ninth street.
therefore they are equally responsible
with Mr. Sandford and Mr.. Savage.
have been a resident of Washing
ton for the past 80 years, being a nat
uralized citizen. l have a right to
spend my summers where please, and
your attack is entirely unjustifiable
| am not in the habit Of noticing news
paper attacks. This is the first time
| have been so insulted in any news.
paper. If l had been at home l GER
tainly would have called Mr. Sand
ford's attention to the matter, also Mr..
Duncanson's and Mr.. Halls, who are
equally responsible. You should not
have been so hasty in your denuncia-
ne &c al VI gi
to a story, therefore you will under
stand from the foregoing explanation
that l am not to blame in the matter
in any shape or form. Hoping that
you will do me justice in this matter
by apologizing in your paper.
Yours respectfully,
]. B. PORTER, M. D,
P. S. On account Of Mrs. Porter s
health | am solely absent from Wash
ington.
CThe Doctor is stopping at the Hotel
st. Lawrence Hail. Cacouna, P O., and
inhaling the beautiful ocean breezes OF
that delightful resort while the resi-
dents in the vicinity of Ninth and E
streets are inhaling a different kind of
atmosphere. Being a physician, DR..
Porter will agree with The Globe that
the nuisance complained Of is danger
Gus to public health, and that a public
journal is doing its simple duty in
trying to have it abated. The Doctor
owns the premises. 1t does not relieve
him from the responsibility legally or
morally, that he leases them to a party
agreeing to keep them in repair, 1t is
a question between the property hold
ers, it appears, as to who is respOn
sible The proper way out of the diff
ficulty is not to wait until this cOntro
versy is settled by the property hold
! ers between themselves, as it will prob
| ably never be satisfactorily settled
with the nuisance still poisoning the
| air. but for the Board Of Health {
| take hold of the matter at once, sup
press the nuisance at whatever cost
and let the courts asses the damages
/ The health of the city is endangered by
| this foul and reeking filth which, dur
| ing the past week, was over 10 inches
| deep in tho adjoining cellars. 1t ough'
to be instantly abated
The Doctor has the inalieniablC
/ rights Of an American citizen, among
which is the pursuit Of happiness
| wherever he can find it-even away a.
/ Cacouna, Province of Quebec, but it is
nevertheless, a fact that the citizen:
Of Washington who have to live al
home should protected from epidemi,
! breeding nuisances, whether the Doc
tor or his neighbors, or all of then
together are responsible for the same
We have, in justice to the Doctor
given space to his card, but we still
insist on the abatement Of the nuisanc,
! b. the Board Of Health, and the re
sponsibility for the nuisance can after
wards be attended to at the leisure o
courts and litigants. The publ,
health can not and must not wait OF
the settlement of this private question
Let the nuisance be abated forthwith
! Messrs. Gentlemen Of the Board o
Health, for it smeAs to heaven, and /
offensive even to tramp dogs.-Er
| GLOBE)