Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-03
Editors Letter Box
Auousta's "Clean Up Day!"
Kennebec Journal:

Editor kenneDec JOLiHoi.
In writing this letter to the journal
I am not simply airing my private
grievance, but / desire to inform the
people of Augusta of certain conol-
lions existing in relation to the city
dunn which | fear too few OF them
realize.
In the first place this dump is stu
ated on the top of one of Augusta S
highest hills, at the north end OF the
town. where all the playful breezes that
blow can seize upon and scatter to all
corners of the city the old papers ans
rags that have been deposited there.
1t was not so long ago that an old
apron, partly burned, was found way
ing in the breeze from the top OF tree
fully a quarter of mile below the
dump This may have been orna-
mental, but it did not seem desirable
Then on the two days each week
upon which the refuse is supposed TO
be hauled to the dump, an attempt IS
made at burning the accumulated rub
Dish. The smoke ard the accompany
ing odor strangles and chokes all the
unfortunate inhabitants of Augusta
living within a half mile.
The view Of the dump situated as it
is on such high ground, is especially
| fine from many places in the city, par
| ticularly from Mount Vernon avenue
and all adjoining points of vantage,
1t is a distinct acquisition to the at
Effectiveness of our Capitol city.
From a standpoint of health this
dump is an absolute menace to all
| ,f
is seldom an hour during the day when
one or several groups of persons are
not searching through the dump fo1
! bargains in the way of clothing, or
| junk to be sold, which last must be a
profitable business N view of the high
prices now being Paid. Several of
these diligent workers have with them
small children, some not more than
| five years of age, whom they are evil
IDENTIFY employing at a wage OF a few
cents, to assist them. These children
laden with the dirt and germs from
the refuse of our sick rooms. attend
the public schools and come in contact
With the other children, who thus
have an opportunity to make a fine
collection of germs of all kinds, which
tnoy Hey even ldhS lloIllC " AiiSli
parents.
The dump, also, Immediately adioins
the isolation hospital. used for the
worst sorts of contagious diseases
This not only enlarges the scope of the
workers on the dump in the way OF
spreading. disease, but the smell anc
smoke must be splendid tonic for the
patients.
Then there are the rats-countless
numbers of them. VINO breed and exist
On the dump, with frequent personally
conducted excursions to our homes fol
a change Of diet. Rats are one of the
best known and most popular methods
Of spreading infectious diseases.
There is also the bangor of fire. Thc
dump frequently burns all day. and all
night. with no one to watch it. In a
Dry season it might easily do enough
damage to pay for an incinerator
which could be placed somewhere out
side the city, on low ground.
Our recent Clean Up Day" was 4
splendid idea, but it had its draw
backs: do you realize what per cent OF
the old shoes, old clothes, papers, dirty
rags and bottles which were sent to
the dump on Clean Up Day have been
re distributed throughout the length
and breadth of the city of Augusta?
Why can't something be done to
remedy this? If anyone of the read
ers Of this letter has brilliant idea
as to the solution of this difficulty,
please let them come forward with 1t.
1t is truly a question of the public
welfare.
PETER j. O'BRIEN.