New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-22
DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE,
Health Officer DOty Makes Sugges-
lions IN Regard TO 1t.
ID the Edltor Of The Trlhune.

rlosaI OF garbage. Il Is true that engineers and
practical sanitarians have given the matter care
ful consideration and investigation. and have
recommended various methods and apparatus
Cor the disposal OF this refuse. but the fact re-
mains that no plan has yet been decided upon
which has received the uniform approval Of pub
lie health officials or those having this matter
IN charge.
Tire disposal 81 garbage is usually looked upon
IS unpleasant duty, and as a rule is me-
chsnically dealt with and often IN a very prin-
iuve way. In the country garbage IS frequently
used 10 feed animals. II not used for this pur-
pose is disposed OF by throwing it about the
premises; in these instances the sanitary factor
involved receives but little or no attention: how
ever. considering the great air space which sur
rounds country homes, there is really no need
for other action unless it is TO promote cleanli-
ness. This same means OF garbage disposal is
usually followed In small towns In larger
towns the authorities commonly remove this
refuse TO the suburbs and bury II, or allow il 10
rot on surfaces which are at some distance from
the built-up portion OF the community. In cities
where The disposal OF garbage becomes a seri-
Gus problem, there are at present two methods
which are usually employed to deal with it
Flrst-By the process known as utilization or
reduction.
Secondly Incarceration.
garbage by heat. or. rather. steam the products
OF which consist OF an oil and substance used
IS fertilizer, both OF which yield a revenue.
BY The process OF incineration the garbage.
either alone or in combination with ashes, pa
ger. rags. etc, is burned IN apparatus known as
crematortes or incinerators. The relative values
Of these processes have been discussed in almost
every part Of the civilized world. However.
from sanitary standpoint. there is no question
whatever as 70 the superiority Of incarceration,
inasnuch as it promptly and completely de-
stroys the refuse
without going too deeply into a review Of the
advantages and Disadvantages claimed by the
advocates Of these processes. il may be said that
the utilization method receives its support
largely from the fact that II directly indi-
rectly Yields a revenue which is not common
where the incinerator is used. Beyond this there
can be little said in its favor compared with in
cineration. inasmuch the handling and rehan-
ding n garbage in its original state or subse-
euent form IS q long continued process and ex-
treneIy offensive II Is mainly for this reason
thar utilization plant Is placed beyond the
buit-up portion Of a community. This involves
the transportation OF garbage over long dis
tauces. and the collections. therefore. cannot
be made frequently enough 20 prevent decompo-
stion.
The garbage in this city is collected from
dwelling houses, hotels, ETC.. principally by the
municipal authorities. and transferred 10 scows;
here Il remains until IL Is ready for removal TO
Barren Island. twenty miles away. There are
few residents Of New-York who are not familiar
with the offensive odor Of decomposed gar
bage in street receptacles, in scows along the
waterfront or during its transit down the Bay
We are also familiar with the long continued
legislation relative 10 this matter the intent
OF which is to give relief to those who are IN
fortunate enough to live IN the vicinity Of Bar
Een Island
In order 10 dispose Of garbage under the util-
ization reduction system. il Is required that Il
snail be unmixed with ashes and other forms Of
refuse Numerous city ordinances have been en-
acted for the purpose OF enforcing separation Of
garbage from other refuse. The results, how
ever. have been very unsatisfactory.
Incarceration is a reasonable. practical and
sanitary method OF disposing OF garbage or
other refuse. II this method is 10 be employed
By the municipal authorities the city should be
divided into comparatively small districts, with
an 3ncineration plant in each one. This insures
short hauls and the quick removal Of garbage
from dwelling houses. hotels etc. before decom-
position takes place-a most important consid-
Grafton. A properly constructed incinerating
apparatus can be placed in a built up portion
Of the community and operated without expense
10 the public notwithstanding statements 10 the
contrary. / speak from my personal obseTVa-
ton OF the working OF the Hamburg crematory
and other incinerators.
The diversity OF opinion which exists regard
ing the most sanitary and practical method Of
garbage disposal naturally leads one to consider
whether or not the subject has been reviewed
from the proper standpoint ! believe lhat II
has not and that the principle OF sanitary SCI
ence which governs this subject and which de-
uauds that all refuse shall be destroyed at the
point Of production. as near 10 X as possible
has been ignored. am quite sure that any one
Nh0 witnesses the removal OF garbage from the
streets 0f NeR-York City 70 the waterfront
where il IS allowed 10 oecompose on scOWS, ana
3ts subsequent transportation 10 Barren Island
many miles away, where II rs handled ana re-
handed before its final destruction. VIII appre-
clate that the methods now employed are not
only 2 violation Of the principle 10 wnlch nave
referred, but are filthy ana Ensaillla4g IA ths
extreme also believe that the destruction OF
garbage IN the dwelling house. hotel, institution
or wherever Il IL produced. iG. from sanitary
standpoint the solution OF the problem OF gar
bsFe disposal and from practical STANDPOINT u
is emitted 10 most serious consideration on me
part Of municipal authorities Ihis melnoo "ouIo
promptly dispose OF the garbage al the Poilt
o. reduction and would place the responsibility
OF ne disposal where IL belcngs-upon those VINO
produce H. and not upon the municipality. Inc
Fpectacle II a modern city collecting from house
10 house garbage and other NTH, ana haHoLlils
and rehandIing il over period Of a number OF
days 10 the detriment Of the public health aIlo
comfort is certainly not IN me Win Anals 4-i4
portant advances made in sanitary science
The fact that this means OF garbage disposal
3 al the point Of production mas not DeeA
seriouslv considered viii naturally raise DOUBT
10 its practical application Inc pTOpIlet,s -
al abrupt changes or advancement II s1liIte To-
methods are apt 10 be questioned. AZ least uIluI
they have passed the experimental stage + OF
Instance a number OF years ago X was ~
cluslvey shown that tuberculosis is comm uIlLea
bic and thar the eXpectOratlon OF persons sumo
srg from this disease constitutes menace 70 tne
public health Discussion OF TINS danger AZ 1LiS
press. stimulated by the medical profession ana