New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-15
DISINFECTING KATONAH
T5co Ne5c Cases Of Typhoid Are
Reported.

Two new typhoid cases AT Katonah were said to
be the record yesterday. although there was con-
fict OF reports. The Water Department and the
Aqueduct Commission. also the Health Board
pitched into the situation yesterday with firm de-
termination TO save this city from the possibility
Of contagion These alleged new cases reported 10
the Water Department made the situation rather
serious. The first few cases OF typhoid might be
explained away but the continuation of the disease
made the situation Of serious import. chief En-
gneer de Varona sent Daniel Jackson 10 the water
shed yesterday TO hook the situation. and when
de Verona heard 81 the new cases ne was glad that
he had taken the precaution 10 have personal rep
resentative the ground. The Aqueduct Commits
sion also had a personal representative up At Ka-
tonah, George g. Honness. Mr.. Honness is up in
that section all the time to see that contractor
lives up to the requirements Of his agreement with
the Department OF Water.
Ever since The-Tribune took I'D this matter tho
various departments concerned have been unusually
active When attention was called TO the unpro-
tected character Of the spring from which several
OF the patients had drunk water, the department IN
the charge Of Ny. OBrien developed an ext-aordi-
nary activity, and early yesterday morning sign
with the word Danger" most conspicuous was
placed at the springs Thirsty persons were warned
that the water in the springs was likely 10 be CON
tahhnated At the same time sent sour
rlng around 10 the Italian camps with orders 10 be
most liberal in the of qu!ckllnle aud carbollc
acid wherever anything that might bear a remote
resemblance 10 threat To the health Of this city
might be found
Matthew Belts has been up in the watershed ever
since attention was called to the lack Of proper
precauton against the spread OF contag!on in that
section Mr.. Belts is head Of the sanitary division
OF the department. Until this TYPHOID scare NJ
I9etls used to take occasional excursions 10 the
hatonah region Now he is determined that no one
whether Italian or American. shall violate any Of
the department rules designed 20 keep the water
supply OF the city pure and indebted
Yesterday Mr. Belts went nm tbere with an al
uiueAal supply of disnfectants. With his assist
ants he went through the village and with a lib
ti"l mana ~aged war upon every cesspoo and OBJ
jectionable condition TIE examination OF the
ltalian camp was most thorough. II was there
mat future danger TO be apprehended Il was
round that the conditions there were not what
theY should be. OF course. the Italians have Old
"orid traditions back Of them. but in this case
lhese traditions do not include cleanliness among
the necessities Of right living
The Italians. however. will be taught cleanliness
now since The TRIBUNE has called attention to the
camp conditions. and there does not seem TO be
much reason 10 believe that these descendants OF
Ctesars legions will err the side of uncIeanli-
ness again. provided. Of course. that close watch
- Kept on them from early morning until they go
10 sleep Their camps close to Cross River
and somehow the Italians do not believe that their
nneleanlness can affect the purity Of this city's
water supply. In fact. shese Italian laboIers are
OF such serenity OF temper that nothing short OF
Ti o1 VAL %orry them or cause them to pay aten-
,hatoH2h never in its history had such an influx
OF dislniectants has been pushed into the vii
Iase since the report of typhoid prevalence The
hoiIs or sunny Italy in doubt whether the
strange doors that assail them they return to
telF shanues from their work threats 20 health
oE ate guards against infection, u was said nj
hatonah yesterday that there serious talk Of
compelling the Workmen to take bath before ext
June; la make the precaufOn against contaeIon
uouoiS sure. but II is doubtful whether this will
=" done. as the contractors would like to force
a strike at tins time. Tho Italians have stronp
iiHeas regarding personal liberty and among them
Is the ;In belief in mel control Of the person
j ne health officer in charge of the katoiab dis
tflct was YESTERDAY. He denied that there
were any new cases. He said that the report ia
me city must be q mistake. He believes now thai
the cases among the children undoubtedly an.
40 the springs and he said that his signs should
prevent further of this source OF water ~
children adults.
The Aqueduct Commissions contract with those
VINO build the reservoirs is especially in is
requirements that the possibility of contagon shall
be removed in fact. all 1he accessories. such as
homes Of labcreEe quarters for the engineers. etc
are directly under the control Of the department
so that yiOl itions cannot occur without the con-
nivaEce Of department officials. However this may
I'll be. city departments VIII have representa-
tiVes ia the Katonah section until all possible
danger OF contagion is removed. DR., William
Klein. who went up "Wednesday for the Health
Department reported yesterday that the precau-
lions taken to protect the citys water supply were
adequate and he also said that in his estimation
TIE sIFng had been the cause OF the disease In the
cases Of tae school children