Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-16
MI. Macfarland for an Anti
Splitting Law.
COLLEAGUES OPPOSED
BOARD OF TRADE COMMITTEE
ASKS FOR HEARING.
Information From Other Cities Shows
That Laws Have Done Much to
Prevent Expectoration.

There Is wide and seemingly irreconcil-
able divergence OF opinion in the board OF
District Commissioners relative to the ad-
Visibility of adopting a police regulation
which will prevent expectoraton on the
sidewalks of the city of Washington.
year ago Commissioner Mcfarland
president of the board, approved a recon-
mendation by the health officer that such
a law be enacted. He was opposed by the
late Commissioner Ross and Engineer
Commissioner Biddle. and the proposed reg
ulation lapsed into innocuous desuetude.
Again this year Mr.. Macfariand has
urged the necessity and ACCESSIBILITY or
such a regulation. Commissioner Henry
L. West who succeeded Mr.. Ross. follows
In the footsteps of his predecessors and
votes against the proposition. Col Biddle
again votes No
Board of Trade Asks Hearing.
new phase to the question has now
arisen. The committee on public health
OF the Washington Board of Trade has re-
quested the Commissioners to grant its
members a hearing on the subject. when
It Is proposed to urge the legislation out
lined by Mr.. mcfarland. The hearing will
unquestionably be granted, but the date
has not yet been fixed.
The Commissioners recently received a
complaint regarding the alleged filthy con-
ditien of the sidewalk in front of 929 Penn
sylvania avenue. A photograph establish
ment occupied one of the upper floors of
the building at this locality. and it was
stated that men stopping to look at The
pictures in the show window made the
entrance to the hallway exceedingly dirty
by expectorating on the sidewalk.
An inspector of the health department
visited the scene and reported the condi-
tons as cited by the complainant He add
hn hn EFny of arti he
department could take. DR.. Woodward
the health officer. took occasion, however.
TO renew his recommendation for an anti
splitting regulation. The papers were re-
ferred tc the corporation counsel, who
drew up a regulation in proper legal form.
Approved. by Mcfarland.
This regulation was approved by Mr.
mcfarland. Commissioner West however,
suggested that the secretary of the board
correspond with the authorities Of other
large cities to ascertain what laws or reg
u1attons on the subject are enforced In
the municipalities
The Information thus CLEANED showed that
In Springfield. Mass, splitting is prohibited
IN public buildings. churches. theaters and
sidewalks, the fine not to exceed 500. In
Cincinnati the laws prohibit splitting on the
Sidewalk. In public buildings, public con-
veyances. etc. The fine for the first Of
Tense shall not exceed 800. and for the
q
ment for ninety days.
In New York city the anti-spitting laws
are very stringent. Splitting there Is for
hidden upon the sidewalk of any public
street, avenue, park. public square or place.
or upon the floor Of any hall IN any tene-
ment house which is used IN common by
the tenants thereof. or upon the floor of
any hall office IN any hotel or lodging
house which is used in common by the
guests thereof. or upon the floor of any
theater, or Of any building in which there
Is public assemblage Of people, or upon
the floor of any ferryboat, railroad car or
other public conveyance or upon the floor
OF any ferry house. depot. station platform
or stairs of any elevated railroad or other
common carrier.
Philadelphia and Other Cities
Philadelphia has just put into effect an
anticipating law. In Boston splitting upon
the floor. platform steps of any railroad
or railway station or car, or any public
building, hall. church. theater, market or
any sidewalk Immediately connected with
such public places is forbidden.
In Rochester splitting on street cars. in
public buildings or on sidewalks Is forbid
den. In Buffalo the law applies to public
vehicles and public buildings, but not to
the sidewalks
When these replies were received Com
missioner West again considered the matter
and passed the papers along with this in
dorsement:
After consideration OF all the papers in
this case and OF the regulations In force in
other cities. and from personal examina-
ton OF the sidewalks here, / am not con-
WINGED of the necessity for the enactment
Of the proposed regulation; nor can l see
now IL could be made effective without
degree of unnecessary friction and annoy
ance far beyond any compensation that
might be gained"
Col. Biddle, the Engineer Commissioner
after reading this Endorsement stamped II
with his approval.
The papers next went to Commissioner
mcfarland, who has now expressed his
views on the subject IN a very forceful
manner.
A Forceful Expression.
81 desire to record my opinion, expressed
orally TO the Commissioners" he saws
'that the health and the attractiveness OF
the District of Columbia require that the
regulation IN question should be adopted
by the Commissioners. A similar reg,ila-
ton forbidding expectoration In the street
cars has worked admirably, accomplishing
the purpose without difficulty.
II am persuaded that In the national cap
fal. whose population Is exceptionally In
telligent and law-abiding. II Is only neces-
sary to officially call the attention OF the
people. by means OF regulation, to the
necessity for stopping any such objection
able practice to produce a general compli-
ance without having to resort to any con-
siderable number OF prosecutions IN the
courts.
with few exceptions. the residents of
the District are proud of the national capi-
tai and DESTROYS to make n as attractive
as possible and We can rely upon their pub
lie spirit to support any movement that
will improve IL.
~ believe that expectoration upon the
sidewalks. with all its dlsagreeabie and
dangerous consequences, Is largely a mat
ter OF thoughtlessness, as expectoration In
the street cars was. and that II a regula-
ton 10 prohibit 1t was adopted II would be
enforced largely by public opinion.
Precedents May Be Found.
while think the national capital should
be a model to all the rest OF the country,
and. therefore, does not require a precedent
for any action hooking TO improvement IN
It's conditions. those who think such prece-
dents are necessary can find them In the
ordinances OF New York city, the largest
city In the world, and Springfield, Mass
q typical New Elgiand city, quick to adopt
any improvements In municipal practice.
The papers have again gone before Colo
mel Btddle. So far the Engineer Commits
soner has contented himself with APPROX
ing the adverse Endorsements OF Commits