Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-09
COUNCIL PASSES
new HEALTH and
SAFETY MEASURE
Building Inspector Is Given
Right to Condemn Buildings
If Found Unsanitary.
DECLARES A NUISANCE
Violation of Provisions Will Be Re-
sarded as Such and Penalty Is
Fine of From $40 to 500.

On motion of Commissioner Archie
Hart yesterday afternoon at the regu-
lal session of the council an ordinance
which gives the building inspector
more authority in cases of unclean
and unsanitary buildings was adopted.
The measure has been up before the
council for several weeks, and is more
drastic in it's provisions than the one
formerly in use.
The ordinance gives the inspector
the power of condemning places when
its provisions are not complied with.
It gives him the power of causing the
immediate vacation of property when
such is practicable for the benefit of
the public health or for time removal
from the place by tenants, in cases
not so serious.
1t also gives him power to demand
the abatement of 4 nuisance, when
once he finds one in existence, and the
ordinance further states that when the
notice of removal is given that it shall
be unlawful to occupy the place until
the nuisance has been completely
abated to the satisfaction of the build
ing inspector and board of health.
The Resolution.
The principal clauses in the new or
dinance follow:
II shall be unlawful for any person,
firm or corporation to lease, let, permit
the occupancy of, permit the continual
ton of the occupancy of or of any por-
ton thereof, used for human habita-
ton, unless such building or -ucture
or portion thereof be free from IN
clean and unsanitary conditions, as de-
fined in the subsequent sections OF
this ordinance, and unless the provi-
sions of said subsequent sections are
complied with.
ANY structure or building or any por-
ton thereof used for human habita-
ton, shall be doomed to be in an I'M
clean and unsanitary condition by
reason of any portion of such building
being infected with a communicable
di:ease. or by reason of the absence
therein or thereon of toilet facilities
as required by law or ordinance, or by
reason of the known presence of sewer
gas therin or thereon. Any structure
or building or any portion thereof used
for human habitation shall be deemed
to be in an unclean and unsanitary
condition when unfit for human habi-
tation or in a condition dangerous or
harmful TO the lives or health of the
occupants by reason of the inhabited
portion of the house being damp or
wet. or By reason of such lack of re-
pair. or by reason of such accumu-
Iation Of dirt, filth, litter, refuse or
y.
stances or liquids, or by reason of
such defects in or lack of repair of or
improper use of the drainage, plumb
ing or ventilation, or by reason of the
existence on the premises OF such a
nuisance or other condition as is like
" TO cause sickness among the occu-
pants.
Any structure or building or any
portion thereof. used for human habi-
tation. which is in said unclean condi-
ton. is hereby declared TO be a public
nuisance.
Penalty.
Any person or persons, firm or cor
poration violating any of the provi- !
sions of this ordinance. or failing TO
conform to any OF the provisions there
of. shall be deemed to be guilty of
and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined not less than
ten $4,000 dollars nor more than one
hundred 100000 dollars and shall be
subject to like penalty for each day
the nuisance is maintained after con-
viction.
England has 90 woman inspectors
of labor. and they are practically in