Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-17
WAR ON YELLOW FEVER
Effect of Sanitation in the
Island of Cuba.
WASHINGTON MANS SKILL
Chief Engineer of the Work OF
Publication.
DETERMINATION OF PLAGUE
David E. McComb Gives a Glowing
Picture of Havana Under
Present Conditions.
DETERMINATION OF PLAGUE

The emancipation Of Cuba from Span
ish rule was brought about in 1898 by
the military and naval forces of the
United States by force of arms. The
emancipation of the fair island of the
Antilles from it's former insidious enemy.
the dreaded yellow fever, is being accom-
plished with gratifying progress by SCI
entific sanitation.
The wonderful accomplishment of con-
| verting> the once fever-infested island into
a zone of comparative healthfulness IS
due to the directive ability of Washing
ton man. David E. McComb. to whom
the District of Columbia owes a deep
debt of gratitude, is now chief engineer
of the sanitation works about Havana,
Cuba. and consulting engineer for the
other parts of the island. He 1naugu-
| rated the present system of sanitation In
Cuba, which has become the admiration
of the world. The island that was once
dreaded because of it's plaques. due to an
utter lack of sanitation, is now, through
the direction and efforts of Mr.. McComb,
veritable garden spot.
While Mr.. McComb was connected with
the District government, covering pc
Rod of more than thirty years, he was
first in the street and roadway depart
ment, and later with the sewer depart
ment. During his incumbency all the
present great sewerways of Washington
were inaugurated under his supervision
and the city brought, largely through
that instrumentality, to it's present high
standard of sanitation. 1t was because
of his thorough-going work here and his
high standing as a sanitarian that he was
selected at the instance of the 1nSular
bureau of the War Department to go to
Cuba and undertake the seemingly i'm
possible work there of lifting the island
from it's former unhealthful conditions.
Mr.. McComb went to Cuba at the time OF
the American occupation, when Gen. Ed
wards was in charge of affairs there He
is now in this city visiting friends, but
will leave tomorrow for Havana, Where
his headquarters are located.
Present Sanitary Conditions.
When seen today by a Star reporter he
illustrated the present sanitary condi-
ton of Havana by stating:
I'm my Havana home fly or mosquito
is rarely ever seem
Mr. McComb was earnest in his praise
of the Cuban authorities, who. he said,
have admirably kept up the work of san
itation since 1902, when the government
was turned over to them.
They are doing the good work SO eff
fectually," Mr.. McComb explained, that
it is not necessary now to screen the
doors or windows or houses TO keep out
the flies or mosquitoes.
Such condition in a. tropical country
is most remarkable showing, according
to health authorities. The Cubans main
tain the high degree of sanitation that
has been attained by the frequent and
thorough inspection of all premises The
matter of inspection was neglected prior
to the American occupancy of the island.
and the result was the prevalence of yell
low fever, malaria and typhoid. The only
of in no.
are imported, McComb said, and within
the past year there was only one case of
the malady reported. That case was In
the eastern section of Cuba, in the mines
mer scourge Of Cuba. has been practically
wiped out, and the whole world is Won
dering.
Department Well Organized.
The Cuban government has a well or
ganized sanitary department, which
reaches into all the qualifications of the
island. The value of its work in saving
human life, preventing sickness and MAX
ing the land pleasant to live iE cannot be
estimated in dollars and cents, it is de-
clared.
Il want to say for the Cuban author
ities' Mr. McComb stated, that l be-
lleve they are endeavoring to give a good
and honest government to the Island Of
Cuba, and to fulfill all their obligations
to this government. as indicated in the
Platt amendment to their constitution"
Mr.. McComb has directed the construc-
ton of the street sewer system in Ha-
vana: the rectitication of the distribution
of the water supply; the installation of
modern pavements-and all at an esti-
mated expenditure of $3O.OOO.OOO In Glen
fuegos the authorities are installing a
complete system of water supply and
modern sewers. In other principal cities
and towns it is proposed to correct the
known defects In the water systems, to
provide water supplies to cities that have
none, and to install sewers when nee
eSSary.
The work of sanitation there under the
direction Of Mr.. McComb and the Cuban
health authorities has placed Cuba in the
class of the best tropical winter resorts