The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05
\ 1Tw YORK has stood still In
NJ street cleaning. refuse collec'
y ton ana disposal. while other

street cleaning. refuse coliec'
= ton ana disposal. while other
cities, notably those in Ger
many. have introduced methods Of mu-
nicipal cleaning and have set new
standards Of health. comfort and con-
venience for their citizens" This state
ment is made in the report of Commits
sioner John T. Fetherston to the
Mayor on the work Of the Street Clean
ing Department for the past four and
one-half months Of the current year.
The report states that a survey Of
present equipment and facilities for its
Improvement disclosed the fact that
practically no betterments IN this re-
gard had been introduced IN the depart
ment since Col. waring left ONCE in
1897.
The existing equipment. according to
the present Street Cleaning Commits
sioner was found to be in very poor
condition. Tho open ash can. partly
covered garbage can. open ash cart.
open waterfront dump and open sys-
TEN Of refuse disposal" he says. are
all in full operation as they were seven
teen years ago. The people Of this city
have voiced time and again their de-
mands for better street sanitation.
Definite plans to meet this requirement
have been prepared after hours. at
night, since the frst Of the year
To correct these iamentabls condi-
tions has been the chief task OF the
Street Cleaning Department since the
beginning Of the present administra-
ton.
Radical changes In equipment and
methods Of cleaning have been devised
and have been presented to the Board
Of Estimate by Commissioner Fether-
ston. The plans contemplate setting
I'D q model street cleaning district on
the East Side. between Twelfth and
Fortieth streets, Sixth avenue and tho
East River. They provide for the in
stallation Of model street cleaning
equipment described as follows in the
report;
iCNtPsotiO "AN'A 80
tached cover for garbage. similar
standard covered receptacle for ashes,
a specially designed refuse collection
vehicle, arranged to allow a transfer
of garbage and ashes without exposure
Of its contents and a new form Of water
front dump where no materials will be
exposed while their transfer to scows
IL In progress. BY combining a power
driven tractor or automobile with sew
eral types Of trailers. 1t will be possible
to collect refuse during the day and to
iush streets at night entirely elimi-
mating present nulsances due to odors
and dust In collecting refuse. Dry hand
sweeping OF streets will be minimized by
heavy cleaning at night throughout the
year and both sidewalks and roadway OF
every street in the model district can
be swept or flushed with water
throughout the year. except in freezing
weather, when new method OF machine
broom sweeping will replace flushing
During snow time the same tractor will
be used to open roadways and haul
snow twenty-fo hours per day"
The report of the plan submitted by
the Street Cleaning Commissioner gives
the reasons for the selection OF this
district. Commissioner Fetherston
says:
1.-THE necessity for performing the
work on the scale proposed Is due 1;
the fact that ali vehicles In the district
must use one type OF waterfront dump
and In this case the design and con
struct!on OF the dump depends upor
the type Of refuse collection equipment
CsrB and motor tractors cannot yer,
well use the same dumping point, 81
that when a dock Is fitted up for motol
tractors 1t cannot be used by carts
II Is therefore necessary that any ont
lump designed for dustless collection
and dustless disposal Of refuse shall
have a complete outfit for that purpose
1.-THE district was selected on III
East Side because II was necessary 4
yacate an open waterfront dump al
!oini,pe Pc,.;vue Hospital and the De
par;ment of Docks could provide mes
dock In the vicinity OF Twentieth stree
and the East River
The district served by the proposed
new method contains the following
classes OF buildings; Tenement house
"a per cent; business and manufactur
ing, 81 per cent; part business ant
part residential, Is per cent; residen
ral only, 9 per cent