Evening journal., 1908-09-11
MANY LEGGED
GERMS THERE
DR.. Robin Afraid School Tots
Will Pick Up BaSSett
Street BaCiIIi
GERMS AND CHILDREN
PICNIC IN THE ALLEY

supposing some dark night you were
going home and had TO pass through
Basset street, the narrow alley, situated
at the rear Of DR.. Albert Robins house
in Market street. between Twelfth and
Thirteenth streets. and supposing Just
as you reached the darkest part Of
this street you should see funny
looking little thing come jumping
along on about seventeen million legs
and followed by a whole holiday picnic
Of other little funny things with the
same number Of legs, what do you sup
pose you'd do?
After you had got sofe home and
locked the doors and windows and put
cotton in the key holes. you would re-
member that a few days ago you had
read something about this street in the
NEWSPAPERS Then il would break over
you that the funny little things with
lots and lots of legs werc germs.
DR. Albert Robin, who is city bacter-
iologist, said few days ago in speak
ing Of this street that he could sec
germs walking therein. The street
in question is a suitable place for
germs, microbes, bacteria, or other
foreign substance which,live and thrive
and multiply in filthy places.
How many millions Of germs make
their habitation in Basset street is be
yond computation. The Street and
Sewer Department had the matter of
the condition Of this street brought to
their attention g., the last meeting by
DR.. Robin and since then there has
been a hunt over records to ascertain
whether the street belongs to the city
or not While the records are being
sought. the germs continue to hold high
carnival and even get so bold as to
come out in broad daylight and make
show of themselves ty their un-
gentlemanly appearance and rough be.
haviour. A germ never knows how
to behave itself.
Children on their way to school have
to pass through this street and tbs
danger to them of contracting disease
is obvious.
The city viii take action in the mat
ter lust as soon as Il is learned TO
whom the property belongs. II to a
private persons estate, that person
will be impelled to clean out the pla @
under the direction Of the City Health
Department. II to the city. then the
work will be done at its expense
DR. Robin was asked about the mat
ter yesterday and said he wished TO lay
stress upon the danger the place is TO
school children
rs the place so bad. doctor, that
you can see germs walking there?"
well. of course. that was a joke
said the doctor. "but I was at least
expedient to bring the matter to the
attention Of the proper authorities. and
| IL a metaphorical expression may hc
used to impress upon the department
the actual condition Of that street
then ] do not see but that the joke
may accomplish results. At any rate
/ II YOU can't see them. the germs are
there iust the same.
THE school children go through that
street every dav and at recess they
use the place for a playground think
the public should be made aware OF
the conditions in this street 1t is a
very bad place and a cleaning of il
ought TO be made soon"
In the meantime IL you happen to gn
through Basset street look out for the
NIisrococcus ana the Anthrax Bacillus,
for If YOU don't. worse things than the
"Gobbler 'un" will get you.