The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-12
WEED NUISANCE
RECENT RAINS HAVE CAUSED RAPID
GROWTH OF THE PESTS.
The Duties OF Property Owners Defined
by the City Oriinanoes--PenaIty for
Failure to Obey Notice.

The streets Of the city ana the spaces ad
joining the sidewalks between the curb
line ana fences. as well as the premises of
private property owners and the nuae. ois
vacant lots IN the districts outside the citys
center present very unsightly appearance.
and the rank growth consequent rpon the
recent heavy showers causes the condition
to grow worse daily.
This growth Of vegetation not only makes
the mosquito and other ms ct pests a great
er nuisance than ever, but tao uusanitury
feature presents menace to the public
health.
Article l59B of the city ordinances passed
IN 1855 upon this subject reads a. follows:
owners ot lots to cut grass and weeds
thereon. Deualties.--lt shall he the duty
ot every owner or occupant OF any iot
OF parcel II ground within the limlts
OF the city 20 keep same free OF anu
clear from weeds and tall grass, nnd
also To keep the Sidewalks In front OF
and around the same free aud clear
from weeds md tan grass from the Hue
of said lot on parcel OF ground 10 the
established curb line next adjacent
thereto; and any person VINO shall fan
or neglect to comply with the proyis-
Ions of this article within twcnty-four
hours after being notified to do So 10y
the mayor. marshal or any policeman
either In person or by postal card shall
be punished 10y line not less than $40
nor more than 500. and each days de
lay after such notice shal have been
sivon shalt be deemed separate of
! fense
Article 1890 Duty Of health ofhcer to
have weeds. etc. destroyed; disposition
/ OF fines. 1t shall he the dut5 Of. the
health officer to cause to be cut down
all weed and other annual growth in
/ the streee bitches and street crossings
| within tue limits ot the city. aud 70
have such weeds and annual growth
gathered together and burned SO soon
/ rs the same can be burned
The above articles have been so amend
ed 10y subsequent acts Of council 20 max
II the duty of the health department q
notify Violators Of article lJuB to- have tn
weeds and tall grass cut by property own
ors aud the street comm sioners depart
mcnt Is charged with enforcing and enact
Ing article 1l0c for Keeping the streets
bitches and crossings free from weeds. etC
The following form Of notification Is Il
sued by the health department when a
inspector fnds delinquent:
CITY Health Department, - 226, 81. %
Bnz Building.
You are hereby notified to At once clea
M Your premises remove all refuse, CT
grass aud weeds In your yard and on sld
walk to curb line, under penalty Of II
law. ". NJ Brumh, NJ. u.
City Health officer
Fer........''.,,....,ln Inspector
The health department has already scr
out numerous notifications to persons WI
are not complying with the ordinance mr.
In all such cases the notice has been @
fcctiyc. But the health department max
the statement that only three iuspccto
are now employed and they are not ali
20 cover the ground I'm addition to the (
spection Of promises in the sewer disrric
which should have proper sewer come
lions. and the other sanitary inspection r
Qulromcnts of the department. II Is claim,
that the department Is doing All that
possible to enforce the ordinance. but q
weeds are rank in Dozens u streets Al
= vacant lots and the necG ot immediate a
ton Is pressing II tho city is 10 be Ike
|, henlthfu during the heated term,
, The street commissioner saws he is clca
Ing M the streets and bitches and doh
, the work that devolvrs upon MIN lust
q fast ~ his force can cover tho ground.
, u Is suggested that citizens can he
the department hv furnishing the names
owners Of vacant lots which are rank vi