The Mena weekly star., 1907-07-04
AN EPIDEMIC THREATENED
Conditions in New York Are Becom- ing Intolerable Because of Gar.
 bage Drivers Strike.
HEAPS OF DEcAYIMe FILTH FILL STREETS
Crowded Tenements Filled With Noxi ous odors From the Rottinu Gar. base-cooi Weather and Rain Re lieve Situation--Heaith Departmen nt Lavish in use of Disinfectants.

New York, July 2.--Renewed efforts were made Monday by the street cleaning department to obtain men to break the strike of the striking driy- CTS. While the health department is aiding the street cleaning department in removing the piles of refuse the work is slow and the menace of seri. ous epidemic daily grows greater. Conditions on the east side are fast becoming intolerable. Great heaps of decaying garbage and filth fill the streets. making the passage of cars and trucks difficult. Odors from these piles of refuse are waited through the air into the densely crowded tene- ments and escape from the fetid gases is impossible. Fortunately, cool weather and rain have relieved sit uation which would otherwise be un- bearable. The health department is spraying these decaying piles with disinfectants to prevent the develop ment of disease.
 Deputy Commissioner Edwards of the street cleaning department con tracted with Philadelphia firm for 300 men to take the places of the strik- CTS. These men were expected Sun day, but so far have failed to put iv an appearance. The authorities say that few men apply for the positions of the strikers.
 The great obstacle encountered by the department is the deep rooted sentiment among men who work for wages that one may not honorably take the place of striker. Thou sands of men, enough to many times fill the vacant places are to be found who want work. but not under the conditions offered Three dollars a day, board and permanent employ ment is offered, but has attracted few. Efforts to get men fr:m other cities have now been made and Mon day recruits are promised from Phil adelphia..
 The health department hook hold late Friday and since has used it's police powers vigorously and its emer- gency fund of $S5,000 without stint. but So far has been unable to meet conditions effectually. The officials of the health board intimated that private citizens would be doing a pub lie duty if they became for the time garbage collectors. The only alter native appears to be compromise with the strikers. Though the mayor has declared that the law does not permit dealings with civil service em- nloyes who are on strike. and the street cleaning department Saturday refused to formally entertain the de mands of the men. 1t was intimated Sunday night that settlement might be arranged legally.
 Sunday the situation grew hourly worse. What work was done was in the vicinity of Chinatown, on the east side. Meantime the waste accumu- lated in other streets. In places rel use was piled high and elsewhere was strswn from curb to cub. Unable TO do better the health squads scattered disinfectants through miles of hIgh- ways, hoping to hold in check the death-bearing germs.
 Sunday night, Dr. Darlington said:
 q do not believe there is any i'm mediate danger of an epidemic, but the situation is very grave and pre-
 .t tha noeeihilites of an imminent peril"