Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-17
ANTOPERPETUATE
CRUSADE ON REFUSE
Citizens May Urge Disposition
of Dirt by the Dis
trict.
SCHEME is PROPOSED
BY COMMISSIONERS
Would End Contract System Of
Handling Ashes and Garbage.
ACTION Is UP TO CONGRESS
Opinion Is Divided as to Advisable
ity Of Organizing Health
Association for
Capital.
Would End Contract System Of
Handling Ashes and Garbage.
ACTION is UP TO CONGRESS

The recommendation of the Commits
sioners that the contract system in vogue
In the District for the handling Of ashes,
garbage and refuse be abolished and the
work taken over by the District govern
ment. upon the termination of the present
contracts. may be indorsed by the central
committee conducting city cleaning week.
Arthur c. Moses, chairman. today said
that meeting Of the committee will be
called next week. when the question Of
perpetuating the beneficial results Of the
cleanup crusade will be discussed.
The problem Of how to provide most
effectively for the disposition Of waste
material will be investigated. 1t is said
TO be likely that resolution indorsing
the Commissioners plan for the ultimate
abolition Of the contract system for the
handling Of ashes, garbage and refuse
will be presented.
Whether the committee will recommend
the creation of a public health association
or similar body for the District Of CO.
lumbia to provide for a continuance OF
the work begun during the crusade is a
matter about which there is considerable
doubt Sentiment in the committee con-
corning this feature is divided. a number
of members taking the stand that the
work. after the crusade has ended, should
be conducted entirely by the District.
Citizens May Form Body.
If the committee adopts the Commits
sioners' plan it is believed to be probable
that an association Of citizens will be
formed for the purpose of aiding the Dis
trict heads in their efforts to bring about
realization OF the object. In such
event the association doubtless would dis
band upon the accomplishment Of the
undertaking.
The District government last year
adopted the plan Of doing Its own street
cleaning. q plan, 1t Is said. which has
produced much more satisfactory results
than were obtained under the contract
system. In their last annual estimates
the Commissioners included items looking
District Of the work now performed by
the ash, garbage and refuse contractors.
1t was proposed to use the money in the
appropriation requested was struck out
Of the District appropriation bill reported
to the House on the ground that 1t in
VOWED new legislation.
Later a bill introduced by Representa-
tive Lobeck Of Nebraska stipulated that
the local government should take over
the work performed by the garbage con-
tractor, with the proviso that 1t should
dispose of the garbage within the Dis
trict. This measure passed the House
and is now waiting consideration by the
Senate
Possible Action In Congress.
Inasmuch as the garbage feature is
only a. part of the general plan of the
Commissioners for the handling by the
District government Of all ashes, garbage
and refuse, and the establishing Of an in
cinerating plant in the District might
prove Objectionable, the central COM
/mittee. 1t is pointed out. may request the
Senate to take unfavorable action on the
Lobeck bill, with the object in view Of
urging Congress. either at this session or
the next. to adopt the full plan Of the
Commissioners. which. 1t Is believed,
would lead to improved sanitary condi-
tions throughout the District
II Congress should take such action n
II likely that the Commissioners would
arrange for the handling Of the waste
material. especially garbage, at q point
outside the District.
Letter Of DR.. Toner.
John Joy Edison. treasurer Of the CITY
cleaning campaign. today made public thu
following letter. received from DR.. John
e. Toner. one OF the contributors to thu
campaign fund. in which needs Of tn.
crusade are discussed:
ap1Aoro ind ypcloseA r.v oA~.L :
couple Of dollars to help defray the ex
penses OF cleaning up our city, the cap
ital of the nation, that all good American
citizens should be proud Of. can as
sure you that I am heartily in favor OF
the plan. not only for health sake. but Il
would help to maintain the name CITY
Beautiful ! would suggest that insteaf
OF II being yearly occurrence 1t be don.
at least twice a year. spring and fall
The summer accumulations, decayed veg
etabies and other matter attract flies ant
by that means disseminate disease. Wher
q general cleaning has been given, tn,
police on their beats should visit alley,
and out-of-the-way places to see tha
they are kept clean the same as streets
which have to be kept that way. and
IL would not interfere with their duties
Such places are more in need of surveii
lance. because not many people pas,
through them to see violations Of tn,
law.
uuently visit the yards and sheds to Sc,
that they are kept as thev should be- 1
there are not enough inspectors to do tn,
work thoroughly 1t would be q good In
vestment for the city to employ more.
The law is the only thing that tn,
violator fears. The better and intelligen
class does not have to be watched abou
these things, and their intere:. and healtl
ought to be protected from the careless
ness Of their neighbers. who may main
tain a nuisance that Is injurious to healtl
as well as an injury to property.
Rubbish Z Accumulated.
II am speaking from experience sainet
while q practicing physician. I have A-a'
to visit such places In q medical capacity
and also as part owner OF some smal
houses rented to that class. They vii
not have suitable receptacles for tn
refuse, and that gives the drivers Of tn
CONTINUED on Eleventh Page.)