Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-07-01
Disease and. Death Lurk in
Huge Piles Of Filth Accumu-
lated in New York Since
SCayengers Quit,
AUTHORITIES POWERLESS
TO COPE WITH SITUATION
Walk Out Of lcemen Adds to
Midsummer DiscomfortS of
SweItering inhabitants of
Nations Greatest City,
IBy Morning journal Special Leased wire.I

EBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire.
New York City June 30.-New York
City is experiencing an impressive
demonstration as to what extent the
comfort of the millions is dependent
upon the handful, comparatively, of
citizens ordinarily ekgaged in collect
| ing garbage and delivering ice. Two
thousand garbage collectors and an
equal number of ice wagon drivers,
are on strike, and the city is in peril
Of an epidemic of disease.
The garbage situation is the most
serious and most speedily remedled
but the possibilities of evil are start
ling.
The health department, which upon
direction Of Mayor Mcclellan assumed
responsibility when the street cleaning
department proved unequal to the
emergency, is exhausting its almost
unlimited resources, but tonight the
best that DR.. Darlington could prom
Use was that 800 men would be att
work tomorrow morning. Such a
force will make little headway as 75b
carts are required to remove each
days Accumulation and the work Isl
SIX davs benmd
The great obstacle encountered by
the department is the deep-rooted SEN
timent among men who work for
wages that one may not honorably
! 40 M.
ands of men, enough to many times
| hll the vacant places, are to be found
I who want work, but not under the
conditions presented. Three dollars a
! day. board and permanent employ
tnent Is offered, but has attracted few,
Efforts to get men from other cities
/ have now been made and tomorrow
recruits are promised from Philadel
phla. The health department took
hold Friday and since has used its
police powers vigorously and its emer-
gency fund of $685. 900 without stint,
but so far has been unable to meet
conditions effectually.
| The officials of the health board in
timated that private citizens would be-
doing a public duty II they would be-
come for the time being garbage col
tlectors. The only alternative appears
to be a compromise with the strikers.
| Though the mayor has declared that
| the law does not permit dealings with
| civil service employees who. are on
tstrike, and the street cleaning depart
ment refused to formally entertain the
| demands of the men, IL was intimated
tonight that a settlement might be ar
ranged legally
a conference between a committee
of the street cleaning department and
Ia committee representing the striking
cart drivers will be held tomorrow.
The men hold to their original de-
mands, the most important of which
are:
| THAT forty-elght hours contl-
tute a weeks work end that overtime
be paid at the rate of 25 cents per
hour.
2.-That no fines be imposed with
out the opportunity for n hearing.
3.-That suspension system be
praetlced instead of fines.
Today the situation hourly grew
IwOrse. What work was done was In
the vicinity of Chinatown on the east
side. Meantime the waste accumu-
lated In other streets. In places refuse
was piled high and elsewhere strewn
| from curb to curb. Unable to do bet
ter, the health squads scattered disln-
| fectants through miles of highways,
| hoping 10 hold in check death
bearing spread OF germs.
Lower temperatures today had a
| beneficial effect through a most disa-
greeable stencil found its way into
many homes and into the east side
hospitals. Acting Sanitary Inspector
Benzel contracted with a Philadelphia
employment agency for 1900 men. or
these, 300 were to have arrived at
noon today, but did not. Late tonight
word was received from Philadelphia
that 100 labCrers would be on hand
for work at daybreak tomorrow. These
with the 200 men Commissioner Cra-
ven expects to have on hand, including
the 100 who remained at work when
the others quit. win make up a work.
Ing force OF 800 II the plan should
not miscarry.
/ Tonight DR. Darlington said:
II do not believe there Is any Inn
mediate danger Of an epidemic. but
the situation Is very grave and pre-
sents the possibilities Of an imminent
peril"