Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-04-20
CLEAN UP'AN
ANCIENT
IDEA
Hercules Cleaned the Augean
Stables by Using River as
Broom, Long, Long Ago.
Nowadays Health and Beauty Demand
Sanitation in Home and Town
More Than 5000 Communities
Are Busy This Year.
BY HAROLD c. sLoDeETT.

BY HAROLD G. BLCDGETT.
Cleanup effort is Of prehistoric
origin. Ask the school children and
they win tell you that in Greek
mythology they read Of a Cleanup
day" that for colossal endeavOr and
results probably beats any renovatine
job OF the rapid-fire sort undertaken
since. 1t is not pretty story, but
here IT IS: Augeas, the king Of Els
was not strong on sanitation.
For decades he had permitted filth 70
accumulate. He didn't care much about
his people or his health, but he had a
little herd OF some 5000 oxen Of which
he was considerably proud For 80
years the stable which housed the herd
had not been cleaned, when suddenly
old Augeas awoke- He wanted the
stable cleaned.
The job was so stupendous that or
binary mortals could make no head
way against the piles of refuse, until
Hercules, who had never before been
famed as a sanitarian, stepped up and
said he would clean IL up. Two rivers.
the AIpheus and the Peneus, flowed
near by. Hercules changed the course
Of the rivers until they flowed through
the Augean stables, and in q day the
cleanup" task was accomplished.
Hercules EmuIated.
Since that day cleanup has had its
place in the worlds vernacular. With
he spring the desire to refurbish
comes subconsciously into the hearts
IF men and women, and communities
But without direction and sustained eff
tort the expression of that desire, In
he form Of the ordinary cleanup
lay" or week" has resulted in such
/, superficial sally against filth that
he more experienced and earnest civic
workers have for long held such days"
u disrepute.
Hercules was Of the gods II be
wanted TO cleanup" in a day the
heavens backed him and he did it.
Since that day men and women, mere
have sought TO emulate the
cleanup" expert in speed.
and they have failed Communities for
years have conducted cleanup days"
Of the annual-bath order. only to find
that the next day there was filth be
hind the ears" and between the toes"
And a week later conditions generally
were as bad as ever.
II remained for Allen W. CLARK. pub
Usher of a St Louis trade paper. TO
turn the '-spring cleanup" interests
INTO permanent and constructive chan
lels. Years ago Mr.. Clark made UP
his mind that this could be done; that
real campaigns, working toward def
lite ideals and accomplishing real re-
iults, could be organized everywhere
% take the place Of the old hit-or-miss
methods.
In May, 1912, he founded g "clean-
10" and "paint-up" organization He
lOped that a thorough-going movement, |
in its scope and practical in |
IS principles, might take the place |
# the annual bath" idea as ex-
PRESSED in the old-time cleanup day"
II week"
Movement Growing.
For four years the scope of this move
nent has been rapidly extended until |
his year it is cooperating with more
han 6,O00 local communities in the
and direction of real
cleanup and paint-up" campaigns. not
DAYS" or weeks"
Continuous campaigns for homes and
ome towns beautiful, sanitary and
afe, conducted by permanent commit
ees, and involving the cooperation Of
ity and town officials, clubwomen,
organizations, the school
fire prevention interests, all
usiness men and property owners and
he press, and the goal aimed at by all
/ the cleanup propaganda. And
IFS solid success is being achieved in
thousands Of cities and towns through
ut the country today. In fact, requests
)r cleanup assistance have come
rom South America. the Philippines.
ustralia, India. Canada. England and
rance The slogan, Clean up and
amt up has indeed become the bat
g cry Of earnest and practical civic
'orkers round the world
Such magazines as Outlook, Pictorial
eyiew, Every Week. Associated Sun
ay Magazine, the american City. Kan
Is Municipalities, Journal OF Michi-
IN Municipalities have printed sx- /
.nsive editorials and feature articles
D the practical value OF the work
rnO INV cnnffT ! ,