The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-08-31
CRUSHER
MUST QUIT.
Board Of Health
and Supt. Boyd
at Odds.

When James H. Boyd, Superintendent
of the Department of Public Works
"Opens his mail this morning he will find
a very interesting letter from the
Board of Health. 1t will not be partic-
ularly brief, but it will be to the point
Concisely stated, the letter simply
makes request for the cessation of
noises at the stone-crusher in the vi
cinity of the Oahu Insane Asylum
The visit of the Board of Health to
the asylum yesterday afternoon and the
subsequent conference with Superin-
far as a compromise was concerned.
Immediate results were at once appar-
ent when the members of the Board
proceeded from the scene Of trouble to
a special meeting, where righteous in
dignation was poured out, and the res
olution embodied in the letter to the
Department of Public Works was drawn
up.
An open clash between the two de-
partments seems imminent, as the re-
moval of the crusher, in view of the
state of finances of the Public Works
Department. seems impossible, while
the Board of Health appears determin-
ed to force the issue, on the ground
that a material injury is being done the
patients at the hospital, and unless the
noises are stopped 1t is not unlikely
that the courts will be asked to enjoin
the operation OF the quarries.
The visit to the hospital and quarries
was made at o'clock yesterday after
noon. In the party were Drs. Sloggett,
Moore and Pratt, and Messrs. Smith
and Aud, and they were met at the
asylum by Superintendent Boyd and
Assistant Superintendent Campbell.
The stone-crusher has not been in oper-
alton for over week, but Mr.. Boyd, in
order to accommodate the Board, had
the plant started, and five or six blasts
were fired for the benefit of the visitors.
The result was sufficient for even the
medical men were startled by the loud
| noises, and the incessant grinding Of
| the crusher made every one wish for
| cotton to use as ear muffs. Superin-
tendent Master then took the party on
a trip about the grounds, and showed
them where boulders had fallen, MAX
| ing big dents in the earth, and also
where rocks struck on the roof, tearing
| holes through the framework, which
| had been patched at considerable eX-
penSe. The rocks from the blasts were
sent flying in very close proximity to
the members of the Board of Health,
and the buildings could be seen shak-
ing from the force of the explosion. In
fact, the members of the Board were
more than satisfied as to the truth of
the charges made in DR.. Masters let
ter, and some of them were of the opin-
ion that he had not represented the con-
ditions as strongly as should have been
done. The effect on the patients when
the explosions occurred were plainly
noted. as some of the inmates became
nervous and excited.
After the Investigations had been
thoroughly made the members of the
entire party repaired to the lanai for a
discussion Of the problem. DR.. Sloggett
stated that he was satisfied that some
thing must be done Immediately, as the
existing conditions could not be allow
ed to continue. Superintendent Boyd
did not see what could be done; the
crusher could not be removed, ard sug-
gested that some other way might be
found out of the difficulty. He stated
that 1t would cost from $4,000 to $4,000
to remove the crushing plant, and the
expenditure of such a sum was clearly
impossible al present. He said that the
present quarries were the best in the
city, and their proximity to the city
made them particularly available.
It was seen from the first that the
probability of any amicable settlement
of the trouble was very remote, and the
discussion soon reached a point where
absolutely no progress was being made.
Finding this to be the case DIR. Slog-
gett suggested that the only thing to
do was to act Immediately. and the
members of the Board of Health drove
to the offices, where a special meeting
was held.
President Sloggett called the meeting
to order, and lost no time In preIini
naries. THE Board is practically at is
sue with the Public Works Department
over this matter" he said 1.-The ques-
ton OF expense for removing the crush
err should not be a question for the con-
sideration of the Board of Health. AS
guardians of the insane, we must stop
anything that is detrimental to their
health or disturbing them. My idea Is
to write to the Superintendent of Pub
lie Works and ask him to cease opera
tons at the stone-crusher. You all saw
and heard the blasts there this after
noon. and saw the stones flying and
buildings shaking The racket and the
iEcessant grinding of the crusher is
most detrimental not only to the insane,
but to well people, and / think it should
and must be stopped"
DR.. Moore said: "In my opinion the
condition of the patients cannot be i'm
proved in the. present state OF az
fairs, and there is no hope for any or
them under these circumstances.
think quiet can only be obtained by dis
associating the quarries and the hospl-
tai. These inmates are no better on
than if they were in a jail, as they
can't get away from the noise. Mr.