Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-09
CITIZENS TALK ABOUT RATS
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON AS
ISOLATION MEETS.
Discuss Means of DISCRIMINATING
Pest-Object to Condition in
II Street Subway.

The insanitary condition of the III street
subway was a subject for discussion last
evening at a meeting Of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association. in
Northeast Temple, 18th and III streets.
DIR. Starr Parsons, chairman of the COM
mittee on sanitation, made report as
to the conditions existing in the subway.
DIR. Parsons explained that in compli-
ance with the request Of the association
at a recent meeting he made thorough
investigation of the conditions existing
in the subway and found that water
penetrates the walls, causing a sponge
. like effect and then drips through the
cracks. He said he found in some places
that crushed stone had been used to fill
in the abutment, and that water readily
sOakS through into the subway. He told
of large quantities of dust settling on
the walls, and becoming a breeding
ground for disease.
Plans to Better Situation.
President Tucker expressed the belief
that the matter should be called to the at
tention of the Commissioners. as he said,
the law apparently was not complied with
when the subway was constructed. Mr..
Tucker also said dust settles on the rough
walls and later falls on persons passing
through the subway. He suggested that
light brick wall would be the best rem
edy and that it would be as cheap as a
layer Of cement.
The secretary was directed to commu-
nicate with the Commissioners and ask
that the association be given hearing on
the subject.
DR.. Parsons made mention of another
subject-the determination OF rats. He
read a paper setting forth that the de-
struction of fruits, vegetables and meats
in pollution is ten times as great as the
rats eat. He added that disease is spread
by rats going from an infected house to
other places, and that many fires are
caused by rats gnawing matches. He
urged that housekeepers place matches In
tin boxes or other receptacles SO that rats
mice would be unable to get at them.
He said further that IL the average
housekeeper would pay as much attention
to the determination of rats as they do
to cleaning their front or back yards they
would soon be rid of the rats
Ask Commissioners for Help.
DR.. Parsons offered resolution, which
was adopted, to the effect that the in
creasing number Of rats in the District
is a menace to public health and welfare,
and that the Commissioners should as
sist in promulgating such measures as
may cause the determination Of the pest.
The secretary was accordingly instructed
TO ask for hearing by the Commission
crse on the subject.
1t was the sense of the meeting that
it would not be advisable to have the
cars of the Washington, Baltimore and
Annapolis railway run through the
streets of this city, it being contended
that the cars are too heavy for use on
the streets. and that the present ter
minus at 18th and IL streets northeast
is satisfactory. A resolution offered by
DR.. l.. d. Walters protesting against
a change of terminus was adopted.
The association protested against the
proposed establishment OF District
property yard on the space formerly
occupied by the tracks of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad between 9th and 18th
and / and + streets northeast.
1t was voted to assist the other asso-
Citations of the District in protesting
against the bill recently introduced in
Congress providing builders license