The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-29
THE COVERING OF
BILB0 CANAL.
MIR. j. S. Collins Reply to DIR. j. @.
LIE Hardy.

LIE Hardy.
Editor Morning News: / notice in
your columns of to-day's issue what
purports to be a reply from DR.. Lee
Hardy to my card on covering Bilbo
canal. and about the only thing see
in DR.. LeHardy's reply which war
rants me in taking any notice of same
is the statement that 1 ought to have
taken advantage of the proposed
house drainage system which he work.
ed for while health officer for Savan-
nah. No one recognizes more than
I do, or can appreciate any more the
opinion of DR.. LeHardy as a physi-
clan, and, in fact. / might say he is
enc of the ablest that / have ever
known; but physicians are sometimes
found in the same dilemma that many
of our ablest attorneys find themselves
both quoting the same decision in
support of their arguments. OF course
both cannot be right. and 1t then be-
comes a question for a Judge to pass
upon; so it is with Bilbo canal and
DIR. LeHardy's theories as TO what Is
best to be done
/ am indeed well acquainted with
all the conditions surrounding Bilbo
canal and all the difficulties in Kidding
the people of the nuisance, and / ven-
ture the assertion that many of our
ablest physicians will differ as to
what is the best method from a sani-
tary standpoint. but all will agree
that an open sewer of the character
of Bilbo canal is, to say the least, I'M
desirable.
1 have no disposition to take issue
with DIR. LeHardy, or any one else as
to what is the best method. but with
the lights before me, am entirely
satisfied that the entire community is
DESTROYS of getting rid of this most
Objectionable, II not dangerous, meth
cd of carrying off the sewage of the
city Especially is this true OF the
people residing in the eastern section;
/ might say the Fourth District, in
which a very large part Of our pop
ulation resides and are interested. DR..
LeHardy forces me to remind him
again that his basis of argument is
faulty. He is mistaken when he says
that 1 was not president of the real
estate company when he was health
officer, and when he was making the
effort to give to Savannah house
drainage system. / remember very
we'll when DR.. LeHardy was elected
health officer; in fact, played a part
in his election. / remember very
we'll the doctor was in danger Of de-
feat and I worked for him night and
day to secure the necessary two votes
which he was lacking for his election,
and I have never yet regretted hav-
ing done so. But before the doctor
attempts to reply he should refresh
his memory and at least try 70 present
facts. I was president Of the real
estate company which developed Col
nnsville. He is wrong in attempting
10 convey the idea that had taken
advantage of the move for house
drainage that the southeastern por-
ton OF the city could have had the
benefit OF the same. This was never
the case. The city Of Savannah In
putting IN a house drainage system
discussed the question OF including
Collinsville and the southeastern por-
ton OF Savannah and there were two
obstacles In the way. first. the Inn
nenee Increase In cost OF the system
made so because Of the necessity OF
having 10 erect and operate a pump
ing station. and. secondly. because the
city did not own the streets and
lanes; hence the doctor must md
some other method OF answering ny
card
The fact remains. however. that Bill
bo carfai. ~ u now exists, ~ q EuiT-
ance which ought 10 be abated, and
which ! believe the city authorities
win give attention. J suggested IN
my card that this work be done BY
degrees, and stated my reasons there