The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-05-20
MILITARY POST
IS UNDER FIRE
Residents of Waikiki Complain of
Unsanitary Conditions at
the Fort.

The board of health has been appeal
ed to by a number of the residents Of
Waikiki to take steps to correct the
unsanitary conditions which are said to
exist at Fort De Russy and which, it
is claimed, constitute serious menace
to the health, not only of the soldiers,
but more particularly of the civilian
residents of the district.
Unfortunately, there is a clash be-
tween the territorial health authorities
and the military officers, The officers
contend that the Territory has no juris-
diction over any of the federal military
or naval reservations and that santa
ton on the reservations is a matter
solely for the consideration of the mill.
tary authorities. This point is not con-
| coded, however, by the territorial au-
thorities. President MottSmith of the
board of health stated emphatically re-
Gently that the board has jurisdiction
in all health matters within the con-
fines of the county, whether on or off
the federal reservations. Superintend-
ent Marston Campbell stated yesterday
that he inclined to the same view of
the matter.
The complaints that have come from
Waikiki are of a serious nature and are
to the effect that not only the comfort
and convenience but also the health of
the entire district is menaced by the
refusal of the Fort De Russy people to
| take proper sanitary measures for the
disposition of sewage.
The territorial regulations require
no sewer system in that district, to in
stall cesspools, and this regulation is
strictly enforced, even the owners of
the residents of Waikiki, since there is
meanest cottages and novels being fore
ed to obey the law.
But the military authorities of Fort
Ruger refuse to pay any attention to
this regulation. Instead of digging
cesspools, the soldiers dump their refuse
into the sea and unspeakable filth is to
be seen at all times floating up and
down the beach. Two latrines have
been constructed on concrete piers out
over the water. AS there is a current
constantly setting along the shore, the
condition of the beach for hundreds of
yards beyond the camp may be imagin-
ed. A walk along the bleach reveals
disgusting conditions.
The inspectors of the board of health
state that they have been refused ad-
mission to the military reservation and
are absolutely unable to do anything
to abate the nuisance. Sanitary Of
fcer Charlock of the board of health
confirms this statement, saying that his
men are not allowed to interfere with
sanitary-or nsanitary-matters on the
military reservation. One of the in
spectors states that when he asked the
sentry at the fort line to let him see
the officer of the day, the sentry re-
fused in very insolent manner.
Major Winslow, who is in command
of Fort De Russy, denies fatty that the
board of health inspectors are not al
lowed to enter the reservation, but says
that to get onto the reservation they
must first get a pass from him. \ He
stated Monday afternoon that there is
at present no prospect of any change
being made as regards the disposition
of sewage. Later on, he says, when it
is definitely known how many artillery
men are to be stationed on this island
and how many of them are to be located
at De Russy, and after congress shall
have appropriated sufficient money, it is
planned to put in a pumping plant to
carry the sewage out beyond the reef.
Major Winslow states that there is
no telling at present how long it will
be before anything of this kind is done,
and in the meantime the beach at Wal
kiki is being strewn with filth and the
waters polluted. Fortunately the cur.
rent as a usual thing sets in toward the
harbor instead of out toward the hotels,
and the waters of the bathing places
are comparatively little contaminated
But conditions Eva of the fort are par
tieularly bad and the residents are pro.
testing vigorously.
At Fort Ruger, Schofeld Barracks
and other military posts there are in
GENERATING plants where the sewage is
consumed. 1t has been suggested that
the installation of such n plant at Fort
De Russy would not only abate the pres
ent nuisance, but would be worth while
TO the post itself. even II In time a
pumping plant is installed,
1t ia probable that, unless the mill
tary authorities take some action on
their own Initiative. President Mott
Smith will endeRvor 10 compel them
to do so. If everything else fails, an
appeal can be made 10 the war depart
ment But II is more probable that
when Major Winslow thoroughly under
stands the feeling of his civilian neigh
hors, he viii do away with the nuisane'
himself
A LIPs SAVER,