The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-05-07
Contributed

OnACSo tAiCl = 40 oOAAAS -sOAOC3AI0 a.
ton among the citizens against these
dreadful all-summer dust-storms it's
no fault of our glorious climate If we
are soon the germ-infected seekers of
lots in the city cemetery, where it is
legitimate for us to be buried beneath
the dust. In fact, one could scarcely
be less uncomfortable dead than alive
submerged in microbe laden dust, ev-
cry curtain that blows gently to and
fro clogging ones lungs with un-
healthy dust-every piece of furni-
ture unpleasant to the touch-and
why all this discomfort, this actual
filth, for every gust of wind brings a
possibility of tuberculosis, measles,
or smallpox, if there is a single case
to start the epidemic? Can the citi-
zens not get together in this matter
and lay the dust? There seems to be
a strange Indifference to the danger
in eight out of every ten homes.
Those who have waterworks do not
sprinkle their own lawns nor in front
of their houses, but complain strenu-
ously of the difficulty of housekeep-
ing where dust is so profuse. Our
worthy medicos, on the alert to
stamp out every disease, yet fail to
go to the root of the evil-the dust.
We have sat with folded hands and
dustblinded eyes and husky Threats
long enough. Every other person
complains of slight throat trouble, yet
Texas most eminent physician re-
Gently pronounced the trouble due to
the constant irritation of dust in
the throat. When we see dirty prem
ises and alleys-sick and uncleanly
persons expectorating in the streets
and realize that later we are certain
to breathe in some of this same filth or
have it blown into our threats if we
speak-when we stop to think that
this very trouble is causing many
of US doctors and druggists bills
for diseases of the throat, nose and
stomach, extra servant hire, home
discomfort, double laundry bills,
shouldn't we decide not to wait for
our neighbors to agitate the question
of cleanliness and dust-death, but do
it ourselves. The city council might
arrange for real sprinkler to go
through the streets and lay the dust
twice daily Many citizens are dis
cOuraged over the plan, holding in
memory most unsatisfactory water
wagon that they contributed toward
the support of before, but with gener-
ally improved conditions surely we
can improve the water wagon. If any
reader has not noticed the difference
in the atmosphere a day and night
after Sprinkling the street and lawn
try it and see for yourself Sleeping
in the hottest night of summer will
be pleasure in Brownsville With
naturally matchless climate there is
no reason why We should have all its
charm marTed by this dirty dust.
/ Janitors and house-maids would be
easier to keep the housewives dispo-
sitiOn improved, the bank account
saved, the family health better thus
saving doctors and drug bills. cpl
denies averted and general i'm
provement in appearances. so why not
some steps be taken for this simple
but wonderful improvement?
Most towns this size are blessed
with Ladies Civic Improvement Club
and Brownsville would welcome one.
A sarcastic club-husband was heard
to remark recently that he had never
heard of anything worthy done by any
local woman's club up-to-date and
while it was most uncalled for and
ugly remark the ladies might heap
Goals of fire upon such heads by
branching out into civic improvement
Could not Brownsville initiate the
example of smaller towns than this
which oil their streets? 1t is q most
satisfactory solution toa terrible prob
lem. When one thinks of civic i'm
provement leagues in towns no larger
than Brownsville where even young
school children are taught the joy
and advantage of improving the
streets and school grounds, ETC.,
dusty bleak school yard is made to
blossom like the rose" in a few
weeks, where grateful shade trees
spread their green branches over
what were formerly unscorched pave
ments, where a wagon dispenses oil
to the germ-infected, dusty streets
one is led to wonder why beautiful
Brownsville does SO little. Every de-
termination and effort seems to fall
to pieces of its own weight until it
almost would seem that there are no
public spirited altruistic citizens
among US.
If the men are too busy in the mad
chase after the dollar cant Browns
vile ladies' undertake this too-long
neglected task and make our other
wise agreeable town a far more in
habitable spot? he Herald is willing
to lend its columns to any steps in
this direction and would be pleased to |
hear from any ladies who are weary
and battle-scarred in single-handed
war against dust and who would CO.
operate in earnest with tie others in
a civic improvement club.
Tricentennial of PILGRIMS, Landing j