New-York tribune., 1902-05-27
PUSHCARTS SPREAD FILTH.
THEIR PRESENCE MENACEs EAST SIDES
HEALTH.
DR. BLAUsTEIN DECLARES THEY ARE
NECESSARY. BUT SAYS THEIR NUM-
BER SHOULD BE REDUCED.

A visit to the lower East Side yesterday after
noon disclosed astonishing disregard the
part of certain members OF that portion of the
city's population of the cOmmonest rules of civic
health and cleanliness. The most casual observer
could see that the blame for the present untidi-
ness of the streets in that crowded quarter
largely due to the ignorant the slovenly and the
lawless pushcart pedler. No one seems to know
how many of these unclean men there are. but
IL may be safely asserted that they number
from four thousand to eight thousand. These
pedlers for the most part Jews and
Italians, with sprinkling Of Greeks.
Jority of them were born abroad amid dirty
surroundings. Since coming here they have
rubbed shoulders with the native born Amer
lean, but have gained from him little of his
innate love for cleanliness Moreover, the ma
jority of these Jews. Italians and Greeks have
almost idea of the meaning of municipal
law as applied to them Well bred Americans
who have spent years in the lower East Side
say that many of these pushcart pedlers do
not even know that there are ordinances which
IL is their business to read and apply. Others,
it is said. know very we'll what the law is
garding their business. but they violate it open
ly day after day. because they are convinced
that they will not be disturbed.
Ni+hIND<ibE4 LII T-INE-D 81
Those who live in sections of the city not in
Tested by these breeders of disease, these ig-
norant and lawless pedlers, have no idea to what
a burden thousands of decent citizens Of the
lower East Side are constantly subjected. Those
who live uptown inclined to look on these
vendors picturesque figures on the many
colored canvas of metropolitan life. They
gard them being honest. if unclean; brave
in poverty if not prepossessing i'm appearance
ham
gardful of ordinances.
The truth is that most Of these pedlers are
a menace 10 public health. and common nui-
sahce' which in some way should be abated.
Ihey are a nuisance because they override
thrive.
In hour GJ3 pushcarts were counted in
Hester-st, between Clinton and Orchard sts
a distance of six blocks They blocked the mar
row thoroughfare, they prevented the free
passage of wagons. they practically forced the
children from their sole playground. The goods
or these petty merchants lay in the burning sun.
unprotected and exposed to the dust and refuse
laden wind that showered the carts and their
contents with germs. The lower East Side was
purchasing these goods and eating them. Fruits
that We're i'll looking. fish that had uncom-
monty bad Odor. scraps of meat-alI these pre-
cious stocks in trade were being sold II ever
a board of health had seen those displays said
a bystander. it would have confscated the entire
carts. The streets We're used for the disposition
of peelings. scraps of decayed fruit chicken
IeatherS' DTS or cloth trom dry goods carts.
wrapping paper and what not. All about the
carts one saw litter of an offensive nature Com
mon sense alone needs be appealed to in
gument against the danger Of such conditions
being longer permitted to exist.
INSPECTORS SHOULD WATCH THEM.
DIR. David Blausteln. who understands the
East Side and the pressing questions which con
Germ its sound citizens. spoke yesterday on a
possible remedy for the pushcart evil. Il have
followed various Investigations of this subject
for several years" he said There is one side
Of the problem which l have not seen touched
Granted that there are too many pushcart men
granted that the pushcart system is a menace
to public health, there is still the question of
supplying the needs of people who have only a
few cents TO spend. They can buy from the
pushcarts In the smallest quantities. They
cannot go over 10 the stores or markets and for
few cents buy such small quantity OF fish
vegetables and other food supplies In a large
number of cases the mother cannot leave ner
children To go 10 the market or the store Right
IN front of her tenement is the Dushcart which
VIII supply her with what she needs Therefore
The pushcart. under some restriction is an i'm
pOrtant and almost vital factor In the lives of
these people To banish II at once would be
lnwise. To my mind. limit should be placed
IN the number of licenses granted The fee
should be raised and number of competent
Well PAID sanitary inspectors should look after |
ne pushcart men.
Certain streets. as the block on Orchard-st
between stanton and Rivington SITS. should |
Turing certain hours of the day, be closed 70 |
rattiC and should be made a standing place |
or pushcarts. During the hours when traffic /
$ slight it would work no hardship. One block /
20 closed in every ten blocks would provide n /
convenient market for women in that section II /
would also loCalze the puShCarts
Provide. then. a limited number Of licenses |
gradually reducing them. Appoint competent |
Inspectors localize the stands. and you will have
AIKEN what seems 20 me the first rational step
oward remedying the situation"