New-York tribune., 1902-05-10
PINK OR BLUE RIBBONS:
BROOKLYN WOMEN MAY TIE RUBBISH
WITH EITHER. so LONG AS
THEY TIE.

Does the Street Cleaning Department prefer
pink or blue ribbons the bundles Of papers that
We are ordered to tie up?" was the satircal query
IN note received few days ago by William S.
Clark, superintendent Of the Brooklyn district.
and read by him yesterday a a meeting of the
Brooklyn Women's Health Protective Association.
There good many different kinds of women
In Brooklyn. and this note Is from a kind that
does not belong this association said Mr..
Clark Il wrote In reply that were willing
that people should use any color preferred. and
would not object even to bows II they thought
that the aesthetic effect was increased thereby"
Mr. Clark said that the zeal of the association
vas great encoura cement and help to the de
partment. Without your aid never can edu-
cate the men to for the condition OF the
streets. Men are naturally careless. and throw
their cigar butts or newspapers the sidewalk
without a thought Fully . per cent OF the time
Of the street cleaners Is consumed In picking mp
rubbish thrown down by citizens who ought to
know better
The cooperation Of the women is the most i'm
portant OF all, and glad that you have
had the courage to continue your work spite
OF newspaper humorIsts. Seventy-hve per cent
of the inhabitants of Brooklyn live in houses,
sequenty the women OF Brooklyn great
factor in the cleanliness of this city. and Il We
can get hold OF the lady of the house the work
is practically done"
The address was enlivened by the recital q sew
eral amusing incidents Of recent occurrence. Mr..
Clark related that short time ago he received a
pathetic letter from Brooklyn woman. who said
that she was an invalid and WAS having dread
ful time" with her servants. because OF the new
regulations, and begged him TO send some on. to
explain 10 them lie concluded go himself 20
the rescue and his graphic recital Of the interview
with the unmanageable cook produced hearty and
sympathetic laughter Every woman there could
understand the situation. and appreciate the tact
with which he the cook to hearty promise
of cooperation in movement FOR the general
good.
William c. RedneId. head Of the department OF
paving and ncumhrances. was the next speaker
In what conceded to be 'the liyeliest meeting
Of the season
He startled hts audience by beginning with the
assertion that Brooklyn has the worst pavements
In America II not In Christendom. 1T is not pos
sible to keep Brooklyn clean. because they
are absolutely uncleanabe," he declared. We
cobblestOne, and il will require $lS0olD) and ten
years Of time to change them. This does not count
would be disgrace Western mining camp
!'siwtyIone Of nuT schools face on "ohblestone
highways. and the teachers say that fully an hour
the time wasted there! BY this state of affairs W.
are educating our children to contempt tor civic
effort should be made 10 protect the schools.
that eatenfs Often die from the iotins over the
cobbles the way to the hospitals,
pended In paving during the next year. and that
will do away with about pr cent OF the cobbIe-
Mr.. Redheld said that the sidewalks also were a
disgrace to any civilized community. They are
nearly dangerous going to bed. which statis
tics show Is the most dangerous place in the city,
most of the deaths occur in bed"
The municipal government. he said is not respon-
sibe for the sidewalks, they supposed be
laid and kept in repair by the owners OF the build
ings. "All we can do; he explained. lis to compel
the owner to repair defective sidewalks. | have a
man walking through the streets to look for
defective sidewalks; and notifications will be sent
TO every owner. whose duty it Is to repair them
You will probably get some yOurselVesi'
Mr.. Redheld gave special emphasis TO his state
ment that the owners were generally willing and
prompt to heed the notification. and showed a dis
position to help in promoting the general good He
spoke of the ordinances against incumbranCeS and
said that they were being enforced rapidly as
fairness would allow. Strict enforcement would
sometimes ruin TO small business 10
clared. "and It is only fair to give little time for
readjustment to suit the new conditions"
Mr.. Creighton, Of the Brooklyn League. spoke
briefly assuring the association of the leagues
cordial cooperate
The association intends to form district COM
mittees. that every section may be supervised
carefully.