The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-31

Americans are becoming more ana
mora like the French in their tendency
10 be excItable. They drift along with m
difference, allowing every one to 40
as they please until come appalling d's-
astcr occurs which costs many human
lives, then they inaug,irate a system o.
mad prosecution in their zeal to make
amends for their criminal carclessness IN
the protection Of human life.
This over Jealous care continues for
few months when they allow everything
10 20 back into It's previous channel OF
Indifference.
\ Reasonable. stcadfast watchfulness on
the part OF the officers OF the law and
guardians Of the public welfare 1t seems
a is never to be known in this country.
II. however. the sacrifice Of six hun.
dred human lives does awaken the whole
nation to the necessity OF having permn-
nent laws and regulations ana does Pro.
vide for their constant execution and that
will furnish proper protection IN all
places where people do congregate, then
1t can be said that the sacrifice was not
wholly in vain.
The probabilities are that no inspectors
have visited any OF the public places Tor
months and even years at q u1ne
I remember that there was, Few years
aeo. a great disaster at sea. on account
OF the negligence OF the boiler inspectors
before the vessel sailed and there have
been many more on the rivers and lakes
through the same cause.
Whether the vigilance then aroused
brought about moro rigid and strtcter
attention to the inspection OF vessels be-
fore sailing. ! am not advised, but nope.
however, that It did.
Officers, commissioners and others who
have authority in such matters should
take warning at the Iroquois disaster and
sinaugurate ADMINISTRATION and thorough
inspection OF hotels and other places
where the many assemble. They would
find that large percentage are fire traps.
death and disease breeding sources
through sewer gas and unsanltary con-
dItlons .
II matters little whether people are In.
theatre hotel or elsewhere II they lose
their lives through the criminal careless
ness OF officers, proprietors, lessees or
agents, the responsible parties should DC
punished, as they come under the head OF
murderers,
Any one neglecting to provide ample
protection for his patrons should be
amenable under the law and punished ac-
cordngly.
There is another field into which ON
GERS Of the law should be compelled to
make at least monthly inspections, and
that Is in tenement and other houses
which are occupied by tenants.
Houses OF the expensive class are solne-
times In the worst possible sanitary con-
B dition, The Easements especially are llt-
tic better than pest-breeding places
One would think that property holders
would naturally exercise care In this re-
spect, /
on the contrary, they often leave prop
erty in the hands OF agents who never
look after the sanitary condition OF the
property
I have seen lne houses on fashionable
streets that looked all right on the par
4lor flood. but above and below they were
In the most unhealthy condition from
imperfect gas fixtures, sewer gas and cess
. pools that had not been cleaned or at
landed to in any way. II they were tn-
spected regularly under the law we
should hear less OF epldemcs, typhoid
fever and other diseases that are produced
by installation Of hubltatlons
The whole people would then bet spared
the consequences OF tho wholesale loss OF
life and destruction OF effects W cases OF
the visitation Of contagion.
There would be no, need OF, quarantine
II inspectors required the regular use OF
dlsinfectants and the removal q all NUS
ances and debris
The besetting sin OF Americans Is I'M
pulsiyeness. We require to be more sys-
tematlo and regular III the admlntstra tion
and execution OF all laws and regulations
for the protection and well being Of the
whole people, ~,
New York. Chicago, Cincinnati, st,
Louis, Pittsburg, and In fact all the cities
and towns OF the whole United States
should be forced to provide for the con-
slant inspection and proper sanitation
and safety Of the people,
While the spirit az the public safety is
on lot 1t be given free rein until there Is
q feeling Of security under all clreum-
stances.
Detecting Murder,
8 The Bechtel case Is another !luustra,
4lo,, ha nnlrdar does NOT 0alMaXs out -