The New York herald., 1921-06-21
MILLIONS WASTED
IN GARBAGE SYSTEM
Hylan's Committee Recon-.
mcnds That Dumping Into
Sea Be Stopped.

The committee named by Mayor Hy-
subject of the collection and disposal of
city wastes. ashes. garbage. rubbish
sweepings and dead animals has pre-
pared report which was made public
last night.
In general the committee finds that
the present methods used by the city.
through the Street Cleaning Department
and through private contracting agen-
cies. to dispose of waste products Is
uneconomical. unscientihc and antiquat-
ed. The collection of such materials by the
department is described as being fairly
efficient. but recommendations are made
for the more extensive use Of low trail
ers attached to motor trucks for the col
lection and hauling to dumps of ashes.
sweepings. &c.
The committee is unanimous in re-
porting that the present system OF
dumping all garbage at sea must be
abolished, but is unable to recommend
any substitute at present and prefers
to wait until experiments now being
conducted for the incineration of rub
bish and the reduction Of garbage, with
reclamation of all useful materials and
the sale of grease and tankage resulting
from the reduction processes. have been
completed.
New York city until October 2, 1913.
disposed of it's garbage by contract for
many years preceding that date. under
the Mitchell. Gaynor and previous ad-
ministration, at substantial profit.
During the Mitchell administration the
average profit to the city from garbage
disposal was $124.000 a year by let
ting out to contractors who ran their
own reduction plants.
Since October 2, 1918. when the then
contractors went into receivership. the
city has dumped all its garbage at sea,
the result being not only the loss Of the
former receipts, but the tremendous cost
of hiring private scows and towboats to
haul the material to sea, where 1t Is
dumped under the supervision OF the
Surveyor of the Port. with the "tacit
assent" though real disapproval OF the
Federal authorities. In consequence the
disposal of garbage to-day costs the
city millions OF dollars.
The removal of ashes in Brooklyn.
done under contract for the last eigh-
teen years by a private concern. Is an
other point where the committee finds
tn9t COnSlQeTdOlC cCOnOfIicS COuiu Dc
made. The committee is quite decided
that all ashes should be collected by the
city and disposed of by 1t in the films
of low and marshy lands in Brooklyn.
Queens and Bronx boroughs.
Another matter which the COMMITTEES
is firm about is the removal OF offal
and dead animals in the city streets.
This Is now done by a contracting con-
Germ which is paid $4,000 month for
the work. A reduction plant should be
erected at once, the committee finds.
and this source OF expense turned into
a form of revenue to the city.
The total cost of the Street Cleaning
Department for 1921. including snow re-
moval, is figured by the committee at
about $50. 100000. The proper solution
of the problems involved in the proper
disposal of the wastes thus collected
would result in saving Of millions Of
John Kenlon. Chief OF the Fire De-
partment, Is chairman of the commit
tee. which has been examining the SUBJ
jcct for several months past.