The Washington herald., 1909-06-06

In a recent letter published IN the Prog
ress section appeared the statement that
the streets Of Excelsior Springs. No., were
kept clean and wholesome by flushing.
the town being supplied with abundant
water from the mountains for the pur-
pose.
Through the courtesy Of ". A. Higbee,
secretary Of the Commercial Club OF that
city, The Washington Herald presents
to-day some views OF the street cleaning
work as conducted there Mr.. Higbee
says the result Of the daily flushing Of
the streets has been 10 advertise the town
as one Of the healthiest IN Missouri 10
invite permanent residents. and to build
up the town in every conceivable way.
How Streets Are Washed.
The flushing Of the streets. which are
paved with asphalt and other materials,
IS done By slusher. which passes along
the streets rapidly. covers the pavement
with water about half an inch deep. and
literally washes them as clean as d din
ing plate.
Following the slusher come the White
Wings with broom and basket. picking
UP any refuse not washed away. and all
corners are brushed out carefully and
made clean. The slusher is fed from the
hydrants at a pressure OF eighty pounds
10 the square inch. and every paved
street and alley in the town is gone over
once each day. The sanitary officer in
spects the work Of his subordinates in
person. and il is no uncommon thing for
him TO order the slusher back 10 do the
work better than it was done in the hurry
OF the washing
Board Of Health All Out.
One Of the views shows the board OF
health following up the work IN an auto
mobile. The board consists of Dr. E.
Lowry. president; Dr. J. F. Musgrave.
secretary. and DR. NJ A. Ashley. treas
UIer They are described as efficient men.
and each gives several hours a day 10
the public service They are profes-
sIonaI physicians and give attention 70
complaints of citizens and visitors re-
garding sanitary matters. They are vest
ed with authority by the municipality 10
close or remove anything which in their
judgment is detrimental TO the health Of
the town.
One view shows a paved alley that has
just been passed by the cleaners and in
spected by the proper authority. II shows
the thoroughness of the work IN these
hidden spaces I'm the heart OF the city.
This alley is described as being clean as
the street in front. Merchants are not
allowed 90 place rubbish In the alleys
everything OF that character being re-
moved by the garbage and refuse collec-
tiOn service
Strangers Commend System.
I've have received" writes Mr. Higbee.
from the visiting public much favorable
comment upon the system Of street clean
ing. II has brought many people to see
and study II. The system has been in
operation one year. and the visiting list
has been greater than ever before in the
history OF the city"
Mr. Hlgbee declares that the erection
Of some OF the finest buildings in the
city. both hotel and residence properties.
can be traced directly to the flushing Of
the Streets. He speaks OF one new hotel
with 225 sleeping apartments as one Of
The direct results Of the sanitary condi-
tiOns Of the city. Another hotel has been
built within the year with 120 sleeping
rooms. He estimates the improvements
Of ,nis character al SI5nC0 Excelsior
Springs is a city Of 6.500 population.
This Missouri town depends upon its
springs for support. and has no large
manufacturing or milling Industries. It's
chief asset IS the best mineral waters
in the Southwest" and il is building I'D
a fine little city by attention to sanitary
details and other matters which make for
the comfort and pleasure Of the hundreds
and thousands who go there 70 improve
their health
Since the installation OF the flushing Of
streets the death rate has constantly di-
minished. and Mr. Higbee confidently
dubs Excelsior Springs The Sanitary
City Of the StaIe OF Missouri