The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-10-31
Conditions in Keokuk Are Generally
Good as Respects Sanitation,
Due to Indi-
viduals.
BURN NINETY PER CENT
Disposal of Remaining Ten Per Cent
Is Questlon--Methods Of
Disposal Are sug-
gested.
5rBy VIII p. Green.]


Letters have been coming into the
publicity department Of the Indus
trial Association for the last few days
telling Of the difficulties met by indi,
vidual householders relative to the
disposal OF garbage. These letters,
together with the careful house-to-
house investigation that was made by
G. r. McFarlands committee would
indicate that SO far az private homes
are concerned, the garbage question in
Keokuk Is In fairly sanitary condi-
t1on.
Tho report shows that there 10 no
systematic or compulsory method in
vogue hero for taking care of house
hold refuse. Tho matter seems to
have been left to the common sense
OF those whose work is connected
with the kitchen. This general desire
for cleanliness which the investigat-
ing committee found in the majority
of homes visited has brought about a
condition that is considered quite san
itary. So far as the convenience Of
the system common In Keokuk homes
Is concerned, 1t might be far better
1t may be crude. but 1t is not unsani-
tary, and SO long as that is the case,
the committee did not deem hurried
action necessary.
1t is estimated that about ninety
per cent OF the kitchen refuse and
garbage is burned about as fast as 1t
Is made. This becomes an easy mat
ter In winter, when furnaces ans
stoves are In use, but when summer
comes there always Is more or less
bother and complaint Here Is found
one of the main reasons why the com
mittee is taking up it's campaign so
early in the winter The aim is to se-
cure such legislation by spring as will
prepare the way for cleaner, more
sanitary city next summer, and from
then on
A question may be asked relative
to the ten per cent of garbage re-
mainng after the ninety per cent is
burned. In some instances this IS
fed to chickens and pigs, while again
IT is thrown into closed cans and haul
ed away. The method of using cans
is quite common among hotels and
houses. Private homes do not seem
to have adopted 1t generally.
There is no question but that reg
ular method Will be adopted by the
city to regulate and handle the gar.
bage matter. Until that time comes.
the committee only asks the people
OF Keokuk to use special care, and to
see that unsanitary methods are not
used, MT. Mcfarland says that the
simplest and most satisfactory method
OF temporary nature is to allow ali
wet garbage to drain and then to wrap
the dried refuse in old newspapers
and deposit 1t IN covered can for
removal or burning. never allowing It
to remain exposed to the afr, or where
flies can reach II.
A number Of different kinds Of "a.
fuse cans are being manufactured
Some OF them are inexpensive and can
be connected with the drain from hit.
chen sinks. allowing the moisture to
drain into the sewer connection. This
Is good method. Some Of the high.
er class houses ana apartments are
putting in small incinerator plants,
thus burning all trash and garbage by
gas fame.
The fourth article In this series win
appear IN this paper next Monday
avening.