The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-21

Personal rather than public response
blllty for the appearance of the city
streets and alleys-this is what Platt
B.. Walker, alderman of the eighth
ward, urges, and the alderman puts it
right up to the property owner, too. .
'The ladies who have so energeti-
cally inaugurated the cleaning-up cam
paign are entitled to the APPRECIATION
and hearty support Of every citizen,'
said MI. Walker Today. "Successfu1ly
to accomplish their laudableo ambition,
however, they cannot rely too much on
their own personal exertions, but rather
should endeavor to arouse the public to
a sense of it's individual responsibility
in this good work. The newspapers
and the various civic associations must
also assist in such a campaign Of edu-
of money at the disposal of the com
mittee, supplemented by the help of
various enthusiastic persons the city
can undoubtedly be put in holiday at
tire for the reception of Jul Grand
Army guests. But why not at the same
time make an earnest effort to lay the
foundation for a clean city in the fu-
lures
Statutes Violated.
"Few people realize that they them
selves continually violate our statutes
and contribute to the untidiness and
ugliness of our city, continued Alder
nan Walker. "Daily the aldermen and
street commissioners are denounced by
Or alleys are not cleaned, altho the
rubbish complained Of has been dumped
on the public highway by these same
Individuals or their neighbors contrary
to the ordinances, and should be re-
moved at their expense. It would re.
quire an almost endless procession of
men and teams to pick up the litter
deposited daily and, even then, as fast
care of, the other end would be in as
bad a condition as before the work was
inaugurated.
"Thru the health department., the
city removes garbage and ashes pro-
vided the citizens will deposit this ma
terial in proper receptacles. Rather
than incur this expense, many elect to
use the alleys or adjacent vacant prop
and even the jeopardy of the health Of
those in the neighborhood. This prac-
tice Of indiscriminate dumping has con-
tinued SO long that a majority of the
citizens look upon such a practice as
well within their legal rights.
Ashes Spoil a Roadway. .-
"There is a mistaken idea that
ashes make a good roadway, when, as
the worst that. can be used, because it
will not pack down, is easily blown
about by the wind and, with a mini
mum amount of moisture, it readily be-
comes water-soaked. Clean cinders are
all right if they can be secured free
from ashes. Owing to the inclination
Of the average person to deny .respon-
sibility, it is impossible to convict per-
sons for the ofense Of dumping refuse
tually caught in. the act. Even then
it is often a difficult undertaking to
bring the offending party to Justice.
AS an example I will cite a case.
"A street commissioner. detected the
owner of a home spreading his winter IS
accumulation Of ashes in an alley, which
was already too high. Even when Or
dered to do so, this man defantly re-
fused either to discontinue his work or
alley. The police department was ap-
pealed to and steps taken to swear out
a warrant, provided the material was
not removed within a certain time.
This influential citizen sought the pro-
lection of an alderman who is up for
reelection and evidently for political
reasons he directed the street commits
sioner to abandon his energetic cam
paign: The ashes still repose in the al
ley, to the detriment of that thoro.
fare, and as an encouragement for other
neighbors to use the alley for like pur
poses.
GAS showing the lack Of cooperation
and carelessness of the citizens in
Vulnerable instances could be cited. A
crew had just cleaned up the street OF
which I live when a citizen whose from
and back yard is a modeh of neatness
, deposited the grass from cutting hi
lawn, in the middle of the street. Whel
taken to task he expressed surprise tina
such an act should be against the Law
or contrary to public welfare. .
"Another citizen dumped a numbe
of bushels of rubbish in the gutter, owe
; in Kenwood, altho the crew had JUS
| finished his side Of the street and wa
| working on the other side. He mad
T no protest against taking the materia
away. In fact, nine-tenths Of sucl
: transgressions are thru thoughtlessness
3 Grass when deposited in the street i
! apt to cause a serious injury to tn
. roads, because with a few sticks o
Z branches it will often form an impedi
ment and stop up the c~ulvert leadin'
to the sewer. This stagnant waite
softens the roadbed, which is then cas-
=. lily cut up by passing teams.
Commissioners Not to Blame.
"Much Of the popular criticism directe
against our street commissioners is uncalled ft
and unwarranted. The duties imposed upo
these officials are both numerous and trying
and thei- resources are always limited. TAX
g for instance, the eighth ward, covering MOI
e than 375 blocks. Our street commissioner hi
at his command only a trifie over $15 900. Wit
It this he is supposed to keep the streets, avenue
It and alleys in good condition, open up ne
e , thorofares thru heavy entertainments, remoy
Snow from sidewalks in winter, pave wit
s cobblestones cutters on the hillsides; in fac
act as the guardian of all public and priva
property in a great ward. .
eff many of those who are so loudly d
. nouncing our street commissioners as politic
4 bosses would keep their own premises clean ar
q not violate the law by deDositing surplus ma
& ter In the streets and alleys, they would I
a great deal more consistent. People shoul
n understand that the street commissioner has a
solute Jurisdiction over all streets and alley
: and bis orders to remove rubbish must
~obeyed."
Union Suits 12c, Single Garments 81
A Palace Clothing House Laundry.