The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-18
Garbage Collection

Some months acc the CITY nut into OPP
GRAFTON a plan requiring persons living
on streets without alleys to place their
garbage cans on the front sidewalks
for collection. a storm of protest i'm
mediatelv arose against this unsightiy
and insanitary method because the
handling OF garbage has always been
considered a back door and back yard
enterprise.
The News Scimtar did not approve OF
the system inaugurated by Commits
sioner Allen and frankly said so. We
did not believe II could be handled sue
cessfully by the new method, and
strongly advised against the inaugura-
ton of the system which we were GER
tain would. as 1t subsequently did meet
with almost universal condemnation.
Commissioner Allen believed the new
system OF collection would prove sue
cessful and we withheld objection in
order that he might prove his contention
without any prejudice being generated
against him by this paper. The 30-day
experiment passed some months ago.
The people affected say 1t is a failure
and an imposition.
So well satisfied is Commissioner AL
len with the result OF his front yard
collection where there are no alleys that
he Is now contemplating extending the
system to homes whera there are alleys.
II Is logical conclusion II he be-
lieves the system has worked satisfac-
torily where there are no alleys. II
the system is good for one class OF
people or one section OF the city, II Is
good for all. II the system Is bad for
one part Of the city 1t Is equally bad
for all, and should not be inflicted upon
the people OF any part OF the city.
II Is our contention that the system
10 utterly bad and without the saving
grace OF single virtue. II cannot even
be insisted that IL is good because the
city will save 500 900 as result Of Com
missioner Aliens innovation. The tax
payers of Memphis certainly deserve
something for their money The assess
ments are high and the taxes are high,
and TO take away this slight service Is TO
deprive them OF very necessary ac-
commodation that the city 10 morally
bound TO render.
We have no doubt that Mayor Paine,
Commissioner Allen and other officials
OF the city government are rendering
the best service Of which they are ca
pgble. We believe they instituted this
new system Of garbage collection in the
belief that II would be not only sat
isfactory but, economical. Perhaps they
still believe so. If they do II Is be-
cause they are so far out of touch with
the opinion Of the people that they do
not know the real sentiment and the
hostile attitude of tho citizens on this
question.
To continue the system OF collection
Il to needlessly antagonist a vast num-
Der. IL not all. OF the people OF Mem
phis In order to save sum OF money
insignificant In comparison with eH-
penditurss devoted to other enterprises
OF considerably less Importance.
The city has had ample time In which
TO demonstrate the operation Of this
system. Commissioner Allen may feel
that 1t Is q success, but regardless OF his
opinion in the matter the people OF
Memphis are satisfied that II is fall
ure. They resent II. they do not want
Il, and they rebel against 1t, and after
all is said, the commissioner has no
higher duty than to give the people
the service they desire and are entitled
TO have.
Commissioner Allen should not be In
fiuenced by false pride m this matter,
and because he instituted the system
dster1nine to see 1t through when logic,
reason and public opinion are unani-
FaotsIy AGAINST 1t