Evening journal., 1916-07-12
Piles OF GARBAGE
ENDANCER Health
DR.. A. E. Frantz, in Letter
to Board of Health Says
Conditions Are Deplorable
IN SOME INSTANCES
OFFAL LEFT 10 DAYS

Following a thorough investigation
DR.. A. E. Frantz, secretary of the
State Board of Health yesterday sent
a letter to the local Board of Health
relative to the failure Of the garbage
collectors to collect garbage from the
residential sections of this city In
his communication DR.. Frantz set
forth that the conditions were de-
plOrable and due entirely to the fail
ure of the company having the con
tract to collect the garbage. Under
the terms of the contract between
this company, the Wilmington Sani-
tary Company and the city, collec-
tions are to be made during the sum-
mer months three times a week
The investigation, however, showed
that IN some cases collections had not
been made for ten days and in other
cases two collections since June 10.
DR.. Frantz declared that in some
instances the garbage was rotten and
vermin was crawling from the cans
onto the pavements.
Under these conditions, he declares,
the wonder is that Wilmington is as
healthy as it is, and that poliomyo-
litis CT infantile paralysis, has not
made its appearance here.
The presence of this disease in neigh
boring States this summer, amounting,
he says to an epidemic, requires extra
ordinary care here, yet in the face Of
this the garbage collecting company has
gone on leaving the offal of the homes
uncollected. In at least one instance he
says, the people were burning portions
Of their garbage because it had not been
hauled away and was decaying in the
cans in which it had been placed.
Reporting ON the condition Of the
garbage disposal plant, DR.. Frantz said
last night that he had been told by Mr..
Welch, foreman Of the plant, that "our
disposal plant cannot be overloaded. We
have had no breakdown this season. "
There is no doubt that the garbage has
not been collected, he says. If the plant
is ready to dispose Of the garbage as
soon as it is delivered, then the faiN.
lies with the collectors.
Following complaints of citizens Of
the locality around Seventeenth and
Washington streets, yesterday. Dr.
Frantz notified the City Board OF
Health He then visited the places
which had beeA reported and found the
garbage being collected The waste ma
terial was absolutely rotten in many
cases. he saws. The residents declared
It had not been collected since July
The matter was brought to his atten-
tion by a petition signed by eighteen
prominent citizens about Seventeenth
and Washington streets These citizens
today reported that their garbage had
been collected for the first time in ten
days, and wished 10 thank DR.. Frant7
for his prompt action in the matter
DR.. Frantz in his letter to the health
board says:
"The State Board Of Health has full
shed its duty insofar as the petition
IS concerned. the nuisance complained
of being now abated AS State health
officer J sincerely hope that no fur
her appeals for relief of insanitary
garbage conditions will be necessary
10 be brought 10 our attention and
would suggest that with the prevail
ing summer season and the unfortun-
ate appearance Of infantile paralysis
IN our neighboring states, that your
board will take such positive action
relative to the collection of garbage
as will place a minimum of danger tC
he children as well as TO the Older
citizens OF our city"
In the face Of the investigation and
revelation of horrible" garbage con.
iitions. 1OS complaints were placed
with the City Board of Health yester
day from different sections OF the city
Or. Frantz said sanitary conditions
here are under the supervision of thu
local board, primarily and the remedy
lies with the men who are supposed
to collect the garbage. Complaint
indicate, he declares that presen
conditions are not unusual and tina
the collectors have been failing il
their duty for the past year.
Garbage collections are in charg