The Washington times., 1904-08-04
THURSDAY. AUGUST 4. 1904
The Garbage Question.


From the standpoint of the house
keeper the District garbage service is
sadly in need Of improvement. Citi-
zens, indignant at the failure of the
collectors to carry away kitchen ref
use have made it plain 10 the munich
pal authorities that the disposal of
this waste is neither efficient nor in
accordance with public comfort and
health.
Indeed, making due allowance for
the eXaggeratOns of the chronic
kicker, the inference is convincing
that the contractor has miserably
failed in his duty to the public.
That splendid service for which so
much was promised in the beginning
has petered out badly. Having got
ten over the shock of complying with
. new code Of esthetic regulations re-
lating to the separation and storage
OF house waste, the citizen is now
confronted with condition exasper-
ating beyond endurance.
To put the matter straight. the sim
mering stencil Of the old garbage farm
II Prince George county, the savors
OF which were a nightmare TO the city
OF Alexandria, has been transferred
70 the back door of the city home,
there to be menace TO the public
health.
The only explanation advanced for
this condition by the contractor is
that the Southern Railway does not
return cars promptly from the reduc-
ing plant at Quantico IN reply the
officers of the company say the con-
tractor has not sufficient cars. and
there the subject rests. Meanwhile,
the citizen suffers from the results of
a service broken down in the details
OF administration.
Three years ago the people Of
Washington heard much about the
superior advantages Of the new sys-
ten. Among other things, there was
never to be any doubt about the
prompt collection OF garbage. It's re-
ducticn would yield a profit. and the
more waste collected the more profit.
The contractor was loud in his pro
testatOns that he wanted ali the
refuse in sight, and its daily cOllec-
ton should give the householder no
anxiety. Worked out TO the end, the
new service is no better than the old,
and it has always been attended with
friction and annoyance between the
citizen and the contractors drivers.
What is the remedy?
First, what the Commissioners will
evidently attempt TO do, force the
contractor TO keep his agreement as
10 daily house to house collection in
the summer months. There was trou-
bic on this score a year ago, which
was measurably removed by the ap-
plication Of the Official lash from the
District building. This year the trou-
bic is even greater and doubtless will
require more vigorous application OF
the lash.
The real remedy, however, lies
NiNtIA -Abi4t5l FSS SlcdUldSllA refuses
10 supply enough funds for the ade-
quate payment for the collection and
disposal Of waste.
This DarsimoHy is felt in street
cleaning, clearing the city Of ashes
and kitchen waste, while in the dis
posal Of miscellaneous refuse. includ-
Ing paper, there is no pretense at ade-
quate service. Those who understand
the real difficulties of administration
IN this department know that there is
crying need for more money as well
as more intelligent method.
Congress needs waking up on the
subject, as well as the municipal au-
thorities and the contractors.
The whole question should be re-
considered from the standpoint Of the
amount Of waste 10 be removed, its
reasonable cost, and the best methods
OF its disposal
Washington is by no means out of
the woods on this important question
OF cleanliness.