The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-15
WORLD'S-19O4-FAlR.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL.


Sentiment among the citizens is that the private
contract system the collection of garbage the
private contract system for the reduction of garbage
should be superseded by complete municipal gar
bagedisposal system, such as has been proposed by
Mayor Wells Many reasons could be mentioned in
favor of this radical change, but the paramount
and sufficient is that the city would
ly satisfy househoders than would. could private
contractor. One function of the city is to afford
sary accommodations to its citizens and this function
it is bound to perform in the most effective and
economic manner.
Experience has proved that the collection service
is not what the people require Although the con-
which is under contract to collect the garbage is
supposed to have its make visits every day
all parts Of the city, it has been and is permitted to
collect the oal only about three times week. This
practice is not an Innovations it is custom.
Health Commissioner Simon has declared that he
will repudate the compromise; but, in that event.
there is no assurance that his good intentions and
energy and his insistence upon strict Interpretation
of the terms Of agreement will produce the desired
effect But his course may show-and perhaps that
is Is object-that private contracts are SO beridden
W alternative conditions that the city is more or
LEI subject to the charitable consideration of con-
tr; ctors.
What may be the consequence Of literal compli-
ance with the contract? The city may compel the
company to send wagons into all parts Of the city
every day. Nevertheless, the garbage may not be
collected for the company may assert that it is not
obliged to take up garbage that placed legal
receptacles. Householders might then behold prac
teal paradox. with wagons making regular daily trips
and the garbage remaining uncollected. Yet they
would also receive object lesson in the falacy Of
the private contract system and they would be con-
irmed in their demand for municipal garbagedis-
posal plant.
At this time the people concerned about the
disposal Of garbage the reduction contract will
pire in little more than year. They hope too, that
garbage will be collected as they WISH but they real
lie that municipal garbagecollection system can
not be established before the existing private
expires in about four years, unless public officials
may find valid means to abrogate the agreement be-
fore its termination They particularly interested
in the disposal problem because the construction
operation of municipal plant will be advance to-
ward the establishment of complete system both for
collecting and disposing of offal.
Objections to the private contract system based
chagrin Mt the domination Buffers numer-
allegations that drivers refuse to remove gar
bage unless they tipped" allegations that gar
bage is not removed and on complaints, supported by
comparative figures that the city is paying
for the results obtained. Many of these objections
undoubtedly well founded and certainly show
that from standpoint Of principle it would be better
for the city to full control. However If the
problem be considered from business standpoint and
standpoint Of service alone, the weight of the argyll
ment is in the direction of municipal ownership and
operation.
Were the city to own and operate either plant to
destroy offal plant to reduce onal It would in
the one case save money in the other derive
profit from waste; by either system it would least
reduce the expense Of disposing Of garbage. More
over, It would be enabled to get rid Of refuse and
waste from the streets. Furthermore, in having con-
troll Of the snation, 1t would be able to give salts
factory service and abolish methods that the public
dslikes. There are consequently, three strong
sons in favor Of q municipal plant-better service,