New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-19
DEPARTMENT OF STREET CLEANIN,
T1NM4NT.S RECORD.

a-ss- -olonei waring left the Street Cleaning
-,..---rert this city was cleaner than il ever
= f.er7 before. The department was in a
N,sh state ~ efficiency. and the equipment was
!. .ps hest possible condition. Reforms had been
-. into eject which saved the city much money
nd made The work OF the department much
,ssie- When Tammanv went out Of power at
80 ed of Van wyck's administration these re-
s,--rs had been dropped. the city was dirty. the
1855 vere worn out, the dirt carts broken down.
- graf" vas n every corne- OF the depart
-~srt. The people. who under Colonel waring
ve-e leing educated 10 help the city in its dis
-,ssl % garbage and rubbish. had lapsed into
-Ae.- old careless ways. but it didn', worry the
s--es- Cleaning Department in the least. Tam
-~a-v contractors rejoiced when the Van wyck
administration came into Office. FOR they smelled
---e-able contracts. They got them. too
-re appointing q men 70 the street cleaning
e,--e was fruitful chance for the Tannlanv
leaders The CIvn Service rules did not disturb
,he.- plans in that direction for the city's
--,-e, was 90 re spent. They made many
,-s-ss rv getting Jobs as drivers OF laborers for
.Ae.- ward heele-s and their dependents.
- e-f-e or protests from the New-Je-sey towns
,--,es -r. hay and shore resorts the dumping
~ carriage al sea was resumed by the Tam
--a-v -fr-i-tstra-ior The contractors could
charge for every scowload 50 disposed Of and
.. ms -fa easiest way for them To get rid OF il.
-. system - primary se2aration-the sep
---.-f-r i- the household 81 waste material
.--o -rs rubbish the ashes and the vegetable
-s.,ss-rrirh Colonel waring had instituted, 10
~ able to market The ashes. was discontinued
Al f- one foul mass. was dumped al sea. thus
-c-t.r- ire ci-y 81 a source q ineone.
Because n -he stopping % this system Of sep
,------ Tho rrIiDr FIN q Riker's Island had TO
he abandoned DecourosiuE vegetable matter
Vas s--~-od there ID the beginning Of the Tam
many .s-ririst~ation. hut il caused such null
ss-0e thar hovis OF protest were raised Then.
roo -he contractors protested against this dis
-ossI -< garbage because it cost them money.
81 liz 7I went ou- 20 sea. / was a different
s---y however. when some contractors bought
marsh lands on speculation. and took the street
s7eei ines 10 I'll with There was money in that
.1- The contractors.
Another system which Colonel wariug had
tunt u7 was the collecting and sacking OF
horse d-orrings which were sold AZ consider
able 7-oat. Not only was This stopped. bur
-e--a-v actually paid l. cents cubic yard
- have this salable material dumped at sea.
Nesls-- Just as bad was on every hand. The
streets did not receive the attention they need
r. or The East SIDE particularly with its
narrow streets and dirty tenement houses. the
conditions we're disgraceful. The Inhabitants
90 that district are never particular as 70 the
vav they dispose Or thei~ refuse. with no one
- train them in the right way. they usually
-r-eu e al in-o the streets where il lay IN
disturbed hy me Street Cleaning Department
The horses we're neglected and overworked.
TIE carts were allowed n run TO dilapidation.
while cart covers came 70 b. an unknown guam
tfr.
When heavy sus.estorm came the entire
Street Cleaning Department was thrown into
confusion Most of the men were Withdrawn
iron -he collection of garbage 70 attend 10 the
removal - -he snow. In spite or this use OF th@
t-re 6.z---a-lz.ng the other branches OF thu
departments Vo-k. the cleaning OF the streets
stter hard storm vas never a brilliant sue
cess The SNOW would be taken from the prin-
tipal streets hur would lie fo- days in the side
streets L--I II melted away or was reinforced
win more The contracts which the city held
ter Tor The removal q snow were costly. too
U Brooklyn ne force was IS disorganiZed AZ
r Ia-1at-ar. stables were fitted W in North
Tti-tae-th-g- The stalls were mere boards
Knocked together The place was reeking with
dr. Some n The horses were kept under open
sneas Ar inspection showed NIFTY cases o.
EsnC=rS. There VAS supposed 10 be a gram
-'orn ana sror-h0Use over tho stables Piles o.
-1ron- T. g. around dirt was everywhere.
ne -0e- la2 rhelr complaints. too Appoint
= through political rIt- they rad 20 devote
t-eTnse ives 70 political roofing" 1elping along
INC attending meetings This -~e- did nct
f--is.. .--.r .1-E hours u work