Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-08-09
WHY NOT BUILD a MODERN SAM
rARV SEWERAGE sYsTsM7

worthy of mention, aud ahat we have
is in such condition that The oitys
refuse matter is not properly carried
away. This being true. the people
have cone 20 .he conclusion that We
shall have a system ls good as any in
the state,
AZ the present time the city is wrsst
ling with typhoid fever and Il has
been caused by not having proper
sanitary sewerage system The noo.
pie are compelled to throw their ret
use matter anywhere they can to SO.
rid OF Il. and. after being deposited on
the ground II pereoIates through the
soil very rapidly and eventually reach
on the wells and springs, and they be
come So filled with fever germs that
those who use the water live on the
border land OF disease,
The soil OF the lots whore the ref.
use has been placed soon becon es
saturated with poisonous matter, aud
when Il Ia disturbed the renrs enter
the air. and. by becoming part OF 1t.
enter the systems Of all. Then we
hear complaints that typhoid fever Ia
in all parts of tho city. and when the
physicians are consulted they attrlA
ute the cause to only one thing poor
sewerage.
This has been the condition FOR
years, and, notwithstanding suah,
there has been no action taken alonp
any line to make al Improvement, Evs
cry physician in the city does not hes
itate 10 Join in the movement for a
modern sanitary sewerage system,
and all agree that the money the PEG
pie spend for doctor bills would soon
pay Tor a modern sanitary system,
which means the preservation OF our
health the building up and extt nding
OF the city's limits and the placing OF
would cause II to be recognized as u
healthy place to live.
1t is evident thar 10 bring the city
prominently before those wha may de.
sire TO locate here, Sc mast make It
attractive and healthy With tho
building OF a traction line and with
new manufacturing concerns knock
ing at our doors. Il Is certain that with
In the next few years our population
will double. and to properly care for
these people and provide suitable
homes for them we must first improve
the sanitary conditions Proper SAIL
tation Ia the frat thing that capitol
inquiries about aud without IL there
is but little hope OF interesting mon
eyed men. Manufacturers always look
after the comfort and welfare Of their
employees.
Not long ago some weli-known bust.
ness men purchased valuable property
in the neart OF the city for the pur-
pose Of erecting fine apartment
house. Upon the arrival Of the archi-
tect to prepare the plans he inquired
about the sewerage When told the
city had none be refused to proceed
with his work and advised those IT,
terestod In the undertaking not u
spend their money until a proper sys
tenn was installed. The project was
given up, and the city lost hundreds
of dollars In taxes, the merchants
thousands, because the people who
were to occupy the building would
have purchased from them and those
who were planning to erect the build.
ing have never been able to realize
anything from their purchase.
With the evidence OF PHYSICIANS ard
business men IN favor o. installing
a sanitary system. which would be ia
keeping with the city's growth, would
1t not be wise to start at the earlies
possible date? OF course some will
argue that the city hasn't sufficient
money but the needed funds can be
provided. II not under our present
charter we can ask tne legislature sor
such amendments as will enable the
city to make provisions for raising
such funds as may be needed for this
much-needed improvement. And none
would feel the burden OF increased tax
alton because It would fall on ali
alike, and all would pay their share in
proportion to the amount Of property
owned
Some people argue that instead of
improving sanitary conditions We
should pave the streets. THIS Is wrong
because it will mean greater cost to
the city 10 pave the streets and Their
install the system than TO defer the
paving until we have male sanitary
conditions what they really should be
The World has no objections what
ever to paving any or all OF the streets
but II does think that the sewerage
system should come first, because Ii
10 the most needed. Isn't the health
OF the people Of more Importance thar
a few squares of paved streets"
Would II not be wiser to protect the
people against disease than 10 pave
streets. and permit sanitary condi.
lions to grow worse. Visit some OF the
streets. and the stencil arising from
the refuse matter thrown upon thew