The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-19
.rrask and Dust.

= IN these windy days we are brought
face 80 Itafs wi til two Il Rreeable subjects
trash and dust, Tho streets Of Rich
mond IRE disgracef1l. scrars Of; paper
and trash Of various des crlption e. litter e.
the public hisliwaSs everyw here and tho
wind keeps the nuisance Ii motion. 4 This
nuisance could easily be Abuted. The
nuisance would not be, IL the people at
large exercised little care. The trash
does. not grow like weeds in tho garden;
IT. exists because men, wonler, and chil-
tl1.er, make Ill and throw II on the streets.
The s.tsind SGdoes the rest and keeps tit
going. ] In the name Of public decencyj why
may We 4 not have trash rcceptacle's 81! ut
convenient corners III all parts Of the
city, especially in the business sections?
II SO people would soon get Into l1to t the
habit Of putting the trash into the trash
boxes, for every such receptacle would
be a reminder and would be a means OF
education. The cost OF providing such
receptacles would be trifling and they
would more than pay for them r Use: selves &c III
a little whilc in tho saving Of labor. n
Ana the dustl 1t-.lias been almost un-3l
bearable during tile past thirty days. II
has been public nuisance and a public;
menace. sItsis distressing To- pedestrians;
III lis q terror 70 shousekeepers and It i i.
making ioE tho specialists In e dis Is
eases OF tlis eye, nose and throat o''. we y
20 on from year to year submitting s 70
this nuisance rs though It were newt
able; and mot to be prevented. Yet 'f' the e
nuisanc CO can be n bated every day by the the
simple use Of, water. It is only n matter
ofsprinkling. and sprinkling is only q mat
ter Of expense Dust is n trifling thlng,
institself, but the dust nuisance such as
exists in tho city Of Richmond q no no
trifle. It is one Of the most serious
questions of our municipal life, and there
ought to be pride enough and money n o'riais'
enough in Richmond to put this nuisance san
out Of business. In some sections OF the the
city the streets are sprinkled at the ex-s
pense Of residents, but the plan IS most
,;nsa tisfactor because some residents
refuse to pay their share Of the cost. ana ana
as a consequences persons living next door, doc,
although they do pay the sprnklers' Zee.
are still not ridded Of tho dust nuisance !t
The fact Is residents should not be sub
tected to this cost. sprinkling the streets
is as much the business of the city as
paving the streets or sweeping them. The
streets are for the benefit Of the pub ''ts
lie. The owners OF property along the
streets pay taxes for general purposes and
as a matter OF justice they should not
be compelled to pay the cost Of sprinklins
the streets In order to make life bca cara !.
we understand that this involves cost
Ave, understand that the city cannot dis
criminate and sprinkle the streets In one
| section while letting the dust fly IN 9th
ers. But we have come to the conclusion
nevertheless that tho city should sprinkle
the streets. It may be necessary TO. In n;
crease taxes and ,weS know 1t hat Is
not an agreeable subject, but lnJ5 the In
terest Of comfort and health the streets
should be sprinkled at the public expense
Richmond is naturally O delightful city
in which to live, and we should not spare
pains or money to make 1t agreeable at
ali seasons. Let; lis get rid Of trash and
dust, and so get rid of two Of the great
est nuisance and discomforts Of our city
life. ~ ~. n iigsy n y4s M