The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-04-05
CITY HEALTH COMMITTEE
FIND CONDITIONS VERY BAD
Urgent Need of an Inspector of Diaries,
Restaurants and Meat Markets
Shown and Considered.

Dudley, were all present at the council
meeting Monday evening, and submitted
a comprehensive report covering their
investigations and conditions of restau-
rants, streets, alleys, diaries, ETC., with
in the city limits. As result of their
researches an ordinance is now being
prepared which is aimed to remedy ex-
listing evils and bring about needed re-
forms. The state dairy and state food
commissioners will be asked to coop.
crate with the city in eliminating evils
and abuses.
DR.. Gum stated that the committee
had examined great number of dali
ries, meat markets and restaurants, and
found conditions existing that were APP
palling. Many diaries furnishing milk
to people in the city were in such filthy
condition that the milk coming from
toners and the community. In some
instances dirty old separators were
found to be situated in the barns, max
ing it almost impossible to avoid contain
nation of the milk.
The restaurants in block II, the south
side of Yakima avenue, between First
and Front street, were made the subject
of an exhaustive report. 1t was stated
that in many of them the plumbing
was in an awful condition. 1t was an
tique, and often found to be sadly out
of repair. Much of it is so situated that
it could not be inspected. The floors of
many of the old buildings were on the
ground, rotten and damp. Inestimable
dangers lurked in many places, and the
fact was recalled that last year several
deaths occurred from typhoid fever con-
tracted by the employees in these places,
and doubtless many patrons had also
contracted the disease there. The de-
plorable conditions were said to be due
to the condition of the buildings, rather
than to the neglect of the proprietors.
The statement was made that there
were many violations of the ordinances
noted in the meat markets which should
be remedied at once. Strengthening was
actually done in the buildings fronting
on the main streets of the city, and
pelts of the animals killed were thrown
upon the roofs Of buildings or in eel
lars, to lie there for an indefinite time.
Many other abuses were mentioned,
and the information given that in the
rear of some of the markets conditions
that threatened the health of the COM
munity were found.
The vegetable gardens from which
supplies were brought to the city, par
ticularly those of the Chinese gardeners,
were said to be in need of inspection
and regulation. The committee had made
suggestions to number of the people
above referred to in regard to improving
conditions, but SO far none of them had
complied with them. DR.. Gum thought
the health committee should be given
greater power.
Alex Miller expressed the opinion that
the state pure food commissioner should
have deputy in the Yakima valley to
examine food products.
DR.. Carver, the city health officer,
submitted a verbal supplementary re-
port. which agreed with all that DIR.
Gum had said. He held that the ordi-
nance regulating diaries should cover
all branches of the business and provide
for the inspection of farms supplying
milk to city customers, the barns, the
parties who hauled the milk and the
method of handling and delivering it.
1t was, he said, almost impossible to
get milk that was fit to use. He also
spoke at length against the abuses of
privileges by campers, and of the dan
gers that arose from the places used
as camping grounds. The city was, how
ever, in more sanitary condition now
than it had been fore some time, and there
was no typhoid fever existing at this
time.
1t was decided that the council and
the health committee should meet with
the city attorney at an early date and as
sist in getting up an ordinance that
would remedy the evils above enumerat-
ed. The city attorney was instructed to
communicate with the state dairy and
state food commissioners with the view
of securing their cooperation.
INTERESTING MEETING ASSURED.