The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-04-13
Buying a Cat in a Bag.

Inc old council TOOK the part Oh WIS
dom when it referred to the new coun-
ell the proposed municipal collection of
garbage in the city. Most every one
wants garbage collected by the city,
but most every one is opposed to the
buying of a cat in a bag. Before Ke-
nosha goes into the municipal collection
of garbage, Kenosha people want TO
have some reasonable idea of what it
is going to cost. Statistics which have
been presented to the aldermen indicate
that other cities are collecting garbage
and disposing of it at price not any
greater than has been suggested for the
collection of garbage here. If so, the
pertinent question is, "Why can not
Kenosha have municipal collection at a
cost no greater than these other
citiesg' Is there anything unusual
about conditions in Kenoshaq Does it
cost more to feed horses here than it
does in Racine and Chicago or more to
hire men to man garbage wagons? The
figures secured by the committee some
time ago do not seem to jibe with bids
received for the collection of garbage
here. Let the new council go to the
bottom of the whole matter and find
out just why this is the fact We do
not believe that the collection of gar
bage without the collection of the ashes
would prove much of benefit to the
average Kenosha man. The cost of re-
moval of ashes would be considerable
to the average taxpayer and he would
be forced to pay this cost in addition
to the tax which must be imposed for
the collection of garbage. The eollec-
tion of garbage and ashes in Kenosha
is going to be continued indefinitely,
once it is started and the people do not
cial bugbear in the future. Kenosha
has struggled along for many years
with the property owner taking care of
his own garbage and there is no reason
to think that the city is going to the
demnition bow vows if this plan is not
put into operation within the next
month or the next quarter. It is one
of those things that can be properly
and proftably studied. It is just pos
sible that the city could collect gar
bage and ashes without letting the
work to contract and have more money
in the fund at the end of the year. IF
a contractor can figure profit by collec-
tions, it is difficult to see why the city
could not make these collections and
have the profit sought by the contrac-
tor left in the city treasury We know
that there are many people who ques-
ton the ability of city to do work
as cheaply as contractor, but there is
no reason why the city can not use
intelligence and economy in public work
the same as an individual. Maybe this
proposed public work is an excellent
one In which the test as to administra-
tive economy can be made. The city
plans to purchase wagons anyway, why
not purchase horses and purchase the
services OF menu Collection Of garbage
IS a matter which may be properly
placed under the management Of the
board of health and competent health
commissioner. The problems which
come from disagreements as to methods
OF collection are particularly health
problems. In most of the cities of the
country this collection is not in anv
way part of the work of the common
council but at the first instance il is
made the duty of the board of health.
But six thousand dollars has been
appropriated for the collection of gar
bage and ashes. Under the bids which
have been submitted to the council this
is not enough to pay the expenses of
such collection for period of eight
months. 1t is possible that it would
pay the cost for six months if the coun-
Gil should limit the collection to gar
bage.
1t looks like good chance to try
out municipal efficiency. Let the board
of health, under the direction of the
council, take up the problem of collect
ing the garbage and let that board see
just how far 100000 will go toward
the solution of big health problem.
If when the 100000 is expended the
board find that it must confess failure
then it will not be too late to call in
contractors and ask them to make a
success where city board has failed.
AS 1t IS big problem and big prob
lem for Kenosha in the future, put it
through the regular channel and let $
see if the health board can not be as
efficient in collecting garbage as it has
been In purifying water and success
fully combating the spread of conta-
gious disease.