Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-01
PROTEST MEETING GIVES
APPROVAL TO OFFICIALS
Forest Hill Citizens Vote Satisfaction
in Closing OF Springs
by Levy.
DIRECTOR EXPLAINS PURPOSE
Declares Health OF Community En-
dangercd and Backs Stand With
Statements of Other Authorities.
Accepted by Residents.

What had been called as a meeting
to protest against the action OF Direc-
tor OF Public Welfare Levy in ordering
the closing of the springs 1t Forest
Hill Park. turned out yesterday to be
n gathering that Endorsed the action
taken by the Director. When the hour
set for the meeting at the Mayors
office arrived yesterday afternoon there
were so many Forest Hill citizens
present that an adjournment had 10 be
taken to the city Council chamber in
order that the crowd might be COM
When Mayor Ainslic raped for or
der. pr l.. \. russey arose and de.
were greatly interested in devising
some means to retain the springs. lie
said that the water from the springs
was free from contamination and that
About this time Mayor Ainslie and
Dr. Pussy had a discussion as to the
ing The Mayor said that the meeting
had been called SO that the citizens
who opposed the order Of the Director
opposition. Therefore. he thought that
these citizens should first he heard and
then DIR. Levy could tell of tho reasons
order.
Meeting Soon Changes.
Or. Pussy did not take this view,
saying that the gathering was for the
purpose only. of dcvising plans for saw
ing the springs If it could be done
consistent with the health of the com
munity The Mayor replied that he
mad called the meeting upon the as
surance that the citizens were opposed
to the order.
No one seemed to want to speak for
the opposition and Councilman Moore
arose and said that IL DR.. Levy could
convince the citizens OF the necessity
for closing the springs they would be
satisfied. About this time Inspector
WPiChtS 4,
started the specchmakinE under wav
by declaring that II tho springs pre-
veniences the springs. should be closed.
Director Levy said that when tho
territory in question was annexed In
1914 the people had ccsspools and
wells which. in his opinion. made "A
"hidcous combination" Now. he de-
clarcd, the, people had city water and.
to use cesspools and these and springs
could not go together without danger
to the health of tho community. He
order without the fullest elaboration
and after consultation with officials
Of the State Health Department and
he for the springs or was more rcluc-
tant to close them.
Questions Some Beliefs.
He further expressed the opinion
purity of such springs could be pre-
served by a modern sewerage system
ncer, told the gathering that he had
had experience with the Forest Hill
ton of the hills allowed water TO run
from the .cesspools TO the springs
DR.. Ennion G. Williams. State Health
Commissioners, declared that he CON
CURED in the conclusions reached by
Dr. Levy and expressed the opinion
that the time would come when every
city would have 10 abandon it's springs
and wells.
y letter was read from Richard II.
Smith. president of the Plantcrs'
National Bank. in which Mr. Smith
declared the springs menace 10
health.
j. Preston Carson moved that a vote
be taken on the question and, without
dissent, those present voted as being
Satished with tho statements made
by the health authorities