The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-05-01
municipal
HOUSEKEEPER
IS PROMISED
city Government to Appoint
One by the First Of
July.
MISSVANBUREN REPORTS
Much to be Desired in the
Places Where Food is
Sold.
'NISSVANBUREN REPORTS

A municipal housekeeepr for Fair.
mont will become reality July l, the
CITY Commissioners having assured
the Civic committee of the Woman's
club that such an appointment will be
made at that time. The duties Of the
) housekeeper will be to make regular
: inspection trips through the food sup
ply houses o. the city.
This announcement was made by
Mayor Anthony Bowen, following the
submission Of the report Of Miss Malu
S'Van Buren,, Of the Junior Civic league
Of Washington, D. c., who had spent
week in this city, under the direction
Of the Civic committee, in looking into
I the sanitary conditions Of the various
wholesale and retail food supply houses
in Fairmont.
Miss Van Bureau was accompanied
on her inspection trips by Miss Eliza
Rock, of this city, and Dent Holden,
sanitary officer.
Yesterday at meeting Of the Civic
committee and officers of the Woman's
club held in the rest room of the court
house the report Of Miss Van Buren,
was presented.
Another matter considered at the
meeting yesterday was that OF the
Surbstone market. The committee
sSalSIgtily endorsed such a movement II
; It could be 2woTl led sOutz and 'sugg ested
that the basement room in the court
house which opens directly on Mere
dith street might be used.
1t was also suggested that the Worcs
"Rest Room" be painted on the window
of the Rest room in order that farm
ers' wives and families coming to the
CITY might be attracted to the room
and take advantage of it, 1t was de-
.scided also that this room would be- a
practical place for the holdings or COM
mittee meetings throughout the sum-
mer months. 49, o.,
lows:
1t gives me pleasure to submit here
..with the report Of the survey OF FAR
mont's food supply houses. This re-
port does not include the few shops
visited where only canned and po&eu
goods are handled. In the group
Grocery Stores" are included those
storeB making a specially Of groc'
cries but including some fresh meats
careful reading Of the descrip'
tive notes appended will convince you
that not all the blame for the unelean
and sanitary conditions that exist can
he placed on the dealer. The owners
of many Of the buildings visited are
remiss in the extreme, and there seems
to be little disposition on their part
to make 1t possible for the dealers
D to bring about ideal conditions even
II these dealers were 80 disposed
and some few are, happily. Imperfect
walls and ceilings; dark, wet, ill:yen'
tilated Easements; atrocious toilets
and lavatories; and outrageous rem
tails for these privileges" are common
to Fairmont's food supply houses. II
is a regretable fact, too, that many
of these owners are men Of wealth
who are more considerable Of their
domestic animals than Of their ten
ants and of those whose food supplies
depend upon these tenants.
In some cases, on the other hand,
basement rooms are good; and ample
provision is made for ventilation but
the dealer himself is remiss, In a
very few cases, toilet provisions are
fairly good, the vile condition OF the
toilets being wholly the fault Of the
dealer who either does not know the
meaning Of wholesome sanitary condi'
'tions or does not care what condi'
lions obtain behind the scenes"
The ordinance providing that no
killing be done on the premises 10
,flagrantly disregarded. Poultry Is
killed in the Easements Of the major
ity of the stores where fresh meats
are handled and the refuse from such
killing is allowed to accumulate and
decay in all too many instances.
The supplies of flour in almost all
Ale stores are most carefully looked
fter on raised platforms, sometimes
M sohreen compartments. Provisions
for the screening Of doors and windows
ave also ample In most instances, In
the majority Of stores, too, unlocked
and uncanned foods Cheese, butter
lard. bread pickles, etc., are kept
under which lard and sausages are
nat exception Is general throughout
Fairmont. have reference TO cured
meats. It would be interesting to know
Ilist what is the psychology Of the pre-
yaiilng methods In this city Of haudl'
ftig cured meats. With not half dog
exceptions, these meats are dump
81 onto old boxes Or barrels or tables,
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