New-York tribune., 1903-07-16
TO END MOSQUITO PEST.
WHITNEY EXPERT PL4N.
Drying out of Coney Island Creek
Recommended.

the report issued yesterday ny I1elty NldS
Weeks the engineer in charge of ". c. Whit
ney's campaign against the mosquito in the
neighborhood of Coney Island and Sheepshead
Bay gives full account Of past battles with
that enterprising insect. and contains several
recommendations for improvements which are
expected to bring about its determination. Per
haps the most startling part of the report is a
plan to shut off Coney Island Greek.
Mr.. Weeks has succeeded in interesting in his
work the Divisions of Soils and Entomology of
the Department of Agriculture, the State De-
partments of Health and Entomology. the City
Department of Health. the Bureau of Public
Works and other officials and departments.
we'll as the Long Island Railroad, the Brook
lyn Heights Railroad Company. the Brooklyn
and Coney Island Railroad and the various race
track associations. He reports also a general
cooperation from the citizens living in the zone
over which his operations extend
The complete drying out of Coney Island
Craek is recommended as the only method OF
affording full and permanent relief 10 that
part of the county The situation there at
present, due to the occasional flooding ef the
region by unusually high tides. the inclosing
of stagnant waters by streets and railroads. the
throwing out of garbage from the island and
other causes is described as one of grave
magnitude" quite beyond the power of words
to describe" The report says that not only
the ordinary culex but the malaria bearing
anopheles is found there.
To bring relief Mr.. Weeks recommends that
the Board of Health rules about water barrels,
the throwing out of cans and pals that might
hold water and so forth. be much more strictly
enforced and further, that COney Island Greek
and its inets and all the adjacent meadow lands
be placed under condemnation by the Board of
Health; that necessary steps be taken TO secure
aI ,fOvt-c
and that to accomplish the physical part of
this recommendation automatic tide gates of
the most effective construction be placed near
to the ends of the creek as possible. He believes
that this with the filling in of few stagnant
pools. will dry out the entire creek and marsh,
by reducing the water level four feet 1t is
understood that the Board of Health has re-
ferred the matter to the Secretary of War, who,
the War Department considers Coney Island
Creek waterway will have to act on the mat
ter before any steps toward shutting off the
tides be taken. Mr.. Weeks believes that
the shutting off of the creek will not only make
impossible the breeding of mosquitoes there, but
that the large amount of land which will be re-
deemed will largely pay for the work required.
ENGINEERING WORK DONE.
The actual engineering work done by Mr..
Weeks according to the report has covered
most of the territory within a radius of mile
of Garritsens pond. and it has been so success
full that he believes no mosquitoes have taken
wing within that area during the spring and
summer. except a few from private breeding
spots. Several hundred acres have been drained,
146 cesspools treated with powerful larvicide,
places which for any reason could not be drained
were petrolized. and a general inspection of the
entire district and campaign to arouse those
living in it maintained.
Regarding the marshes at the end of Emmons-
ave- fronting in Sheepshead Bay and directly
back of the Oriental Hotel. which have been
one of the most difficult places to handle Mr..
Weeks says:
Said premises consist Of marsh tract of about
owners. and in Violation OF the Sanitary Code
detrimental to health. for the following reasons,
viz;
That tidal and surface water is now kept
fined within the natural outlet. which Is ohstruct-
ed. and that said water lies upon the marsh in
breeding place of mosquitoes and so foul as to emit
recommend that the board order that steps be
taken 10 prevent the access OF tldewater 70 the
arrange with the Department of Sewers 10 make
an opening for surface water to Tan INTO rs1 the
sewer which traverses the marsh IN a northerly fI
Point
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
There has been some difficulty in inducing the
railroads to do needed work and the laws de-
laws have in some cases prevented action by
the Board of Health until it too late, and
the insects had taken wing. A Few instances
were met OF opposition on the part of citizens.
but the chief fault found with them BY Mr.
Weeks Is the general negligence In respect 10
rain barrels and the covering OF tanks ana the
throwing out of tin cans and other vessels which
can hold water and form breeding places Mr..
Weeks believes that an example made or Few
violations Of the Board Of Health rules the
subject would be worth much" He adds: We
find there many people who expect 10 change
conditions which have existed ana become
worse and worse for ages In a few weeks
work Natural breeding places are less trouble
some so far than those caused by man and his
neglects There are conditions about here that
are a shame in a civilized community. the re-
suits of mans carelessness. TO put II mildly