Evening star., 1940-08-02
Rutland Gives
Cleanup Data
To City Heads
Health Officer Is
Directed to Confer
With Committee

win NOmmIttee
Health Officer George c. Ruhland
submitted to the Commissioners to-
day certain observations and recon-.
mendations for cleaning up the city
which in part fixed the legal respon-
sibilities of the various city agencies
involved in keeping Washington
clean and free from health menaces
Charges have been made that
these agencies have been passing
the buck" as far as responsibility for
maintaining clean city was con-
cerned.
The Commissioners, who devoted
considerable portion of their board
meeting this morning to considering
cleanup problems, directed Dr. Ruh-
land to take up his report with the
joint committee appointed by the
Commissioners to study the regula-
tions on litter disposal. The Com
miSSioners will take action on the
report after hearing the recommen-
dations of the committee, of which
DR.. Rutland is member.
Adviser Is Named.
The Commissioners also appointed
another man to the committee. He
Is Edward w. Thomas, veteran
assistant corporation counsel and
expert on municipal regulations,
who will advise the committee on
legal points.
A letter was dispatched by tho
general chairman of the commit
tee and vice chairman of the Dis
trict's Outdoor Cleanliness Associa-
ton, suggesting that he call meet
ing of the full committee which
now includes four District officials
and three lay members
Meanwhile. in Police Court three
men were sentenced to pay fines
totaling s35 for violations of anti
litter regulations. Judge George D.
Nelson imposed a $40 fine against
one defendant for failing to provide
metal cans with covers for trash
disposal at rooming house.
The other two defendants were
fined $40 and SIS. respectively, for
illegal collection of trash.
Refers to Stars Campaign.
Judge Nelson twice referred to
The Stars cleanup campaign while
questioning the defendants.
you've read of The Star cam
paign to clean up the city streets.
haven't you?" he asked one defend
ant. who admitted he had.
Il think it's certainly an agents
responsibility to see that the proper
facilities are provided for the dis
posal of garbage and rubbish ac-
cumulating on his property, not only
in the. interest of Identification OF
the city, but also as a safeguard Of
public health"
In questioning one of the un-
authorized trash collectors, Judge
Nelson asked him if he read the
papers he collected.
There's been plenty in The Star
lately about cleaning up the city and
its commendable campaign" he
said. I'VE can't have people like
you going around and littering up
our streets. 1t might be good idea
for you to read the papers and see
what they have to say about keeping
Washington clean"
Xanten Indorses Drive.
Endorsement of The Stars CAM
paign came, meanwhile, from Will
liam A. Xanten, superintendent OF
the City Refuse Department.
The improvement in the condi-
ton of the streets is already no.
ticeable,' he said. Il think people
are being more careful about drop
ping their trash"
Reports from his foremen. he add
ed. showed a general improvement
in the back yards and alleys.
II have to except the areas where
we didn't expect any improvement"
he went on. Enforcement of po-
lice regulations is the only way to
bring about any improvement in
these areas"
Interest Awakened.
The first effect of the campaign,
he said, was the awakening of in
terest in the condition of the city
on the part of the individual citizen.
Letters and phone calls are pouring
into the Offices of the City Refuse
Department calling attention to con-
ditions citizens would like to see
corrected. Mr.. Xanten said these
conditions are being investigated
with the idea of having them cor
rected.
Our department" said Mr.. Kan
ten, appreciates those household
ers who have shown such remark
able cooperation. They not only
do the right thing themselves but
call our attention to the people
who don't"
Commenting that the reaction Of
Washingtonians to the campaign Is
really strong" he said his depart
ment was also beginning to notice
the effects of increased enforce
ment on the part of the police.