The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-23
ALLEYS IN BAD SHAPE.
Complaint Is Made About I'm
sanitary Condition.

There is much complaint of late in
regard to the unsanitary condition
which the city physician has allowed to
exist in the alleys of the city. Since
DR.. StorrS took office, the members or
the board of health say that he has not
ordered a careful supervision of the
alleys of the city, and the present
condition of the alleys seems to justify
the assertion.
Out in the Third ward, in the alley
between College avenue and Mulvane
street, the driver of a load of coal was
unable to get through the alley without
running his wagon up onto great
heap of refuse. The wagon tipped over
the man was hurt and he is now pre-
pairing to bring a suit for $1,000 dam
ages against the city. This is only one
result of the careless method of admin
istration which has characterized the
health department during the time
which DIR. StorrS has held office. DIR.
StoIrs is a Bergundthal appointee, and
because Mayor Bergundthal can not
consistently go back on his own APP
pointee he is getting the blame for
good many of Storrs' mistakes.
Apparently the only way the city can
hope to get relief from existing condi-
tions is to change the health depart
ment laws in such a way that the board
of health. and not the city physician
will be the responsible head for the con-
troll of health department affairs. This
is the object of the ordinance now pend :
ing before the city council, and which
DR.. Storrs is fighting.
member of the city board of health
said a few days ago: THE first thing
this board of health tried to do when
It took office was to exercise some su-
pervision of the work of the department.
1t found very soon that it was power
less. 1t tried to get a systematic plan
for watching the condition of alleys,
and keeping them in sanitary condl-
ton. But it was unable to do anything,
for the law gave the city physician the
whole executive power. When the city
physician found that the board was not
inclined to endure his methods of doing
business, he simply ceased to call meet
ings of the board, and we have no way
to ever make recommendations about
the mana cement of the city's health
department There is no lack of SAM
tary policemen to do this work, and SO
| far as l know, the men are willing to dc
what they can. But as it is they have
very little to do. and nobody makes
! them responsible for getting anything
done. The man who does the fumigat-
! ing in contagious disease cases is about
the only one who seems to be really
! busy all the time
with the present force it should be
possible for the health department to
/ inspect the city thoroughly, and see to
i it that the property owners clean up
their alleys. 1 have naturally been
somewhat interested in such things
and especially since I became connect
ed with the board of health. I can say
that the alleys are in very bad condi-
ton, and need careful attention at
once. If the present condition is al
lowed to run along into warm weather
it will make trouble
The city ordinances do not require
the health department-that is, the
city physician-to move manure and
refuse from alleys. All that is required
is that the health officer notify the
property owner to clean his alley, and
the penalties for failure to obey such a
notice are clear and emphatic.