Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-28
Rae 1t to Make 1t Sanitary,
Suggests Inspector.
UNCL EANLI MESS SET FORTH
Rats Live. Thrive and Multiply on
Profuse Refuse.
"sHUCKERs" NOT PARTICULAR
r. E. Haynes Recommends New
Market, Properly Constructed,
Under District Control.

Generally speaking. the structures 10
cated on the fish wharf and the condi-
lions surrounding same render 1t i'm
possible TO properly prepare and sell food
Of that character In sanitary and salts
factory manner. or to reasonably comply
with the health regulations now in force
within the District of Columbia
Such is the indictment brought against
the fish wharf by Inspector Roy f..
Haynes of the board for the condemna-
ton of insamtary buildings. His report
is Endorsed by the board itself and by the
wharf committee.
\ remedy of the conditions is, however
held up until the termination of legal
proceedings to compel the vacation of the
property by the present occupant for fail
urc TO keep the property in a sanitary
condition.
Haynes Condemns Conditions.
Inspector Haynes says:
Through these fourteen buildings the
majority of the fish. oysters and marine
products consumed within the District Of
Columbia and immediate vicinity is han
died With one possible exception the
buildings and the floors are in such
structural condition that it Is physical
imposSibility to keep the premises In
condition that meets the requirements OF
the health department because OF the gen
orally broken and decayed condition OF
the floors, brought about, to a certain eX-
tent. by the large quantities OF water
used in an effort to eliminate as much
dirt and uffaI as possible under the exist
ing conditions
Rats Thrive and Propagate.
The methods used in handling refuse
afford ample means of support for an ex-
tcnsive army of rats, and both the occu-
pied and unoccupied buildings provide
convenient shelter for prolific propaga-
ton as evidenced by the large number
observed in the inspection of the build
ings.
From figures at hand it appears TO
have cost San Francisco about S422,OOO
10 partially eliminate the rats in that city
at time when bubonic plague seemed
evident. While 1t would not be fair to
charge all the rats In the District of Co
SluInbia TO this particular locality there Is
probably not better breeding place or
quarters where they receive better meals
than along the wharf
Another phase of the situation is the
large body of men who gather In ana
around these buildings during the season
and make precarious living by shuck-
ing oysters. This work Is generally car
ried on under conditions that are anything
but desirable. and no unusual efforts are
made to keep within reasonable degree
Z of cleanliness.
THE keen competition for business
among the men engaged in this line OF
work results in general annoyance to
customers and oftentimes resolves itself
into incipent riots among Thea applicants
for the privileges of attending to a pro-
spective buyer
New Market Recommended.
1T is, therefore, recommended:
That the present structures on he
fish wharf be entirely removed and a
modern market for the sale of fish,
oysters. game and marine products be
erected: same to be under the control
of the District of Columbia, and with
the usual rents and District super
vision.
That proper booths or stalls be con-
structed in connection with the market
10 accommodate a sufficient number of
oyster shuckers to meet the necessary
demands for this class of work: same
10 he rented from the District and
proper supervision to be exercised over
their methods of conducting the
business.
Chairman Kelly's Comment.
Forwarding this report to the Com
missioners Capt. William Kelly. chair
man Of the board on the condemnation
of insanitary buildings, Endorsed it's
views.
Since this report was made" he says.
the. board has made an inspection Of
these buildings aud finds that the con-
dition is quite bad as stated In the
report of the inspector. especially with
respect, TO the buildings known as the
nSh wharves.
1T is the opinion of the board that steps
should be taken at least to require these
buildings TO be connected with the public
and that they be provided with i'm
peTvlouS floors and impervious walls to
the height of the benches and with proper
toilet facilities.
Explaining that the conditions on the
hea wharf have previously been called to
the attention of the commissioners. Dam
iel E. Garages in behalf of the wharf COM
mittee, has reported that the papers are
now before the corporation counsel to in
stitute legal proceedings for the vacation
OF the property by the present occupant,
for failure to keep the property in san
itary condition after notice from the Com
misSioners to do So
The wharf committee concurs in the
opinion expressed by the board for the
condemnation of insanitary buildings as
10 the improvements which should be
made, Mr.. Garges says, but in view of
the legal proceedings il does not believe
that any action can be taken, except by
Congress. providing for the building OF a
modern fish wharf and market at this
Ifric IN.