Newspaper Page Text
PAGE THREE I EOT Builders and i Supply Houses of Phoenix THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN, MONDAY MORNING JULY 27, 1914 DEIRECT URGES HEALTH DEPARTMENT 0 ALL VAULTS CESSPOOLS IN THE CITT of them is the only thing that can sat- j declaring privies a nuisance. This lat- ABATEMENT l'oilltS Out Conditions in ,,he nealth department. Unfilled vaults or tnose tilled with cans, bot- Various Additions and Asks Aid in Securing Co operation in General Use of Sanitary Sewer Some Statistics. ties and other rubbish, frequently give vise to nuisance Irom the odors that arise, and the former, at least. seem to be a resting place, if not a breeding place, for roaches. That the latter invade the kitchen and in vestigate the family food supply is " ' I general knowledge. Flies likewise In an effort to make the city of i v,reed in these places and from re l'hoenix more sanitary as regards Dorts f neaith officers elsewhere. disease and fly-breeding spots, the i ily health department, is endeavoring to find some means of securing as nearly as possible a complete abate ment of all privies and cesspools in the city. The.'e are few sections where the sanitary sewer has not been extended but there are many properties where connections have not been made despite the availa bility of the sewer. In a recent report to City Manager W. A. Farish, the city health of ficer calls attention to this condi tion and makes some suggestions. The .-eport indicates the apparent necessity of early action. It follows: Phoenix, Arizona, July 20, 1914. Mr. W. A. Farish, City Manager. Phoenix, Arizona, Dear Sir: I herewith submit a report of pre conditions in the city as they exist ed May 1 and July 13, 1914. The following table shows the number of privies in each section of the city on May 1, whether or not the premises were connected with the sewer, the numbe." abated since May 1, and the number still existing July 15. , ' Con- Uneon- To Addition ' nected nected tal Tlioenix East 13 23 3G Phoenix West ....11 20 31 Montgomery .. ..29 167 196 l.inville 1 30 31 Churchill .19 33 62 University 30 47 77 Irvine 3 45' 48 Neahr ...... 33 26 59 Capitol 17 11 28 West Capitol 13 13 26 Brill ..16 36 52 Dennis 47 46 93 Murphy 21 79 100 Collins 20 51 71 Kenilworth 2 1 3 Central 1 0 1 Oakland Bennett 28 11 39 Totals .304 639 943 Sewer not extended to part of this section at time of inspection. Note: Six privies have been added since the inspection because sewer was unavailabl and . seventy-four abated since May 1. The above figures are a compila tion from the sanitary survey of the city covering the months of May and June, and while many other facts were noted, the existence of this large number of privies is the most important one. In the course of our inspection, many property owners were spoken to and a fair propoTtion of them promised to abate their privies at once. We have not had time to reinspect all these places, but as far as they have been rein fected about fifty per cent of the promises have been kept. In this connection, it should be stated that a pvivy is not considered to have been abated unless the vault has been filled, the contents covered at lrast six inches in depth with dry earth or ashes and the construction of the building so altered that it cannot be used for its original pur poses. We have found some that answered one or two conditions and thy are far more dangerous than flies that only feed in them. These statements apply nearly equally to old vaults as those that are' being used. The necessity of the last provision that requiring alteration of con struction has been brought forcibly to our attention on several occasions. Unless this is done, such privies frequently are used either by the people occupying the premises or by others. If the vault has been filled previously, matters ae made just that much worse, because it then become virtually a surface privy. If the family does not use it, the con dition may become (as it has) a most dangerous and disgusting one before being discovered. We think this requirement a most reasonable and necessary one. There can be no sanitary objection to the building being used as a store room C what not, but this alteration of construc tion is imperative. It has been somewhat surprising to find a number of people who seem unable to conceive any objection to the privy except the bad smell pro vided they own one. Two or three instances have occurred where people complaining of their neighbors' priv ies have been found to possess one of their own. The latte.- is invari ably "strictly sanitarj-" though it af fords no impediment whatever to the goings and comings of flies, roaches and other insects. A not inconsider able number seem to regard an un used (?) privy as an innocuous ob ject despite the same conditions. with apparent satisfaction they an nounce they have connected with the sewer and as to the old privy, "Why, we never use it." In the vast ma jority of instances, however, the un abated privy on premises connected with the sewer is due to oversight and simple neglect. We are willing to believe this until actual experi ence proves it fallacious. Thus far th more Intelligent people have made their abatements without the necessity of prolonged argument and it is not usually difficult to per suade such people of the sanitary necessity of abating. However, some of them do consume a large part of the time of the health department. We have to reinspect to see that the abatement has been done properly; if it has not been done, a second no tice must be given and another in spection made later, and so on. No prosecutions have been instituted for the reason that heretofore the work has not been done in a systematic manner and where eo many are guilty, it would be unjust to prose cute only the chosen few whose names and addresses we happened to possess. With regard to the premises on which privies are located, but which are not connected with the sewer, a more difficult problem is presented, The unfairness of requiring a sewer connection to be made on one lot while the neighbors are not mad; to do so is keenly appreciated by this department. In such a case the sewer is more a con venient rretlfod of disposing of human wastes rather than a sanitary ' im provement. A privy is a menace to the inhabitants of each of the adjacent three to nine blocks (depending on their not another, but that all are essen- size) and while each abatement counts tial has been made quite apparent to for something, the abatement of all isfy the sanitary requirements and that should satisfy the public. Many people have connected with the sewer at considerable financial in convenience and after having done so, they have been compelled to live in al most as close proximity to privies on adjacent lots. The owners of the lat ter, if resident, may be perfectly wil ling to connect, but are financially un able to do so. Tiiey have bought their places by paying a email amount down and are paying out the balance from month to month. Their credit is strained, they have not a clear title and to prosecute people in Buch circum stances would be to further defer the day when they will be able to pay the cost of connecting. This plea is the moat common one we have met, and it seems at present insurmountable. Likewise there is no present means of reaching non-resident owners. Our notices to them have usually been utterly disre garded. We do not even know that they reach the owner. If they do, we can only twiddle our thumbs until the owner is ready to act or make his ap pearance in the city, and then we would have to be apprized of the fact. There are two other classes of own ers, however, whose excuses are not valid a.id who can be reached. There are resident owners who are financially able but do not want to connect their houses with the sewer. Some of them occupy unconnected premises and are willing to forego the convenience and improved sanitary condition for the forty-five or fifty dollars the connec tion would cost them. They further more care that little about their neigh bors' health and comfort. Usually these are the owners of the "strictly sani tary" priies. The other class owns land which is valuable for business purposes either stores or warehouses but which is used for dwellings pend ing some indefinite future date when the lot is to be sold or the store or warehouse built. Our experience with this class leads us to anticipate from it full cooperation in our work. The foregoing is a fair statement of the situation as It exists. In taking up the work of the health department, the first question to be considered was where to begin, provided, of course, that something more than mere routine was to be done. To answer that ques tion we had to know where we were. A cursory inspection showed a water supply that could be contaminated on ly with great difficulty. The quality and cleanliness of the food supply could fur the time at least be left to the wisdom of the consumer and the incentive of competition. The milk sup ply was generally so bad that at first it seemed to be the logical place for beginning. When we came to examine the general sanitary condition of the city, however, and found this large number of open privies, we had a con dition which needed changing badly. and which when once changed could be kept changed. This was therefore chosen as the first point to attack. I am aware that opinions may differ as to the relative importance of the open privy and the dirty dairy, but clean milk can be obtained only by constant inspection, where as if we can once rid the town of privies, we can almost disregard that feature in the future. It Is not the intention to disregard the inspection of dairies, res taurants, etc., altogether, but rather to give them less attention than they really deserve until we can finish with the other. The idta is to keep one down with the foot while using both hands on the other. As system is necessary to secure the abatement of so large a number of privies, I desire to submit the following for your approval (1) Choosing those sections nearest the center of the city and those that are least infested with privies, obtain ing the names of the owners and send ing each a note reminding hiiri of the privy on his premises and requesting its abatement. (2) Relnspecting seven days later. If the privy remains unabated or (on properties unconnected with the sewer) the sewer tap has not been bought and no contract has been let for the work, to send a second notice. (3) Reinspect seven days later and if then the privy remains unabated to cause the owners appearance before the city magistrate on a charge of violating the resolution of the council ter should prove to be necessary only with the least Intelligent and most sel fish owners and it is to be hoped that they will be few in number. If such punitive measures are not adopted, it can readily be seen that an enormous waste of time will result and that other pressing sanitary necessities must be postponed. The rigid enforcement of the ordinance without favor will breed a wholesome respect for it which is now sadly lacking. The above should secure the'abate ment of all privies except those owned by non-residents and those in strait ened circumstances. To reach these, I believe it will be necessary for the commission (if it possesses the power) to pass an ordinance empowering the city to abate the privy and make the necessary connections and charge the cost to the lot as a tax lien. By this I do not mean that this method should be resorted to in an arbitrary manner. The property owner should, I think, be given an opportunity to choose the fixtures and the location of the closet. Also it should be resorted to only in the following classes of cases. (1) Where the property owner makes a voluntary application to have the work done by the city. (2) Where non-resident owners re fuse or neglect to make the proper connections or abate the nuisance on their property. Very respectfully, City Health Officer. o DEATH CLAIMS BRIDE OF LESS THAN YEAR Mrs. Walter L. George Pass. Away at Sisters' Hospital Less than one year after she became a happy bride, and just when the ad vent of a baby daughter promised in- reased measure of happiness not alone to her, but to her -husband as well. Mrs. Margaret Winnie George, wife of Walter L. George, died at the Sisters' Hospital shortly after eight o'clock last evening. Until very late Saturday night there had been no suspicion but that her condition was entirely satisfactory and then came a sudden change for the worse. She was hurried to the hos pital where for eighteen hours physi cians and nurses labored without avail to save the young life. It was on Sunday evening, August 31, 1913, that Walter L. George and Miss Margaret Winnie Keltner present ed themselves at the parsonage of the First Baptist church and presenting a marriage license requested Rev. J. Har vey Deere to unite them in marriage. They had planned to be married on Monday, September 1, and that being a holiday had secured the license on the Saturday previous. Word came to them that friends were preparing to make things interesting for them and they decided to thwart these plans. The Re publican on September 1 announced their wedding and the plans of the friends fell through. Their short period of married life was one of happiness. No more loving couple could have been found. The un timely end and the girl-wife (she was just past eighteen years old) falls as a blow not only upon her husband and young father, but upon the grandpar ents of the little one. Margaret George was the daughter of George R. Keltner, a well known contractor of this city. She was a charming young woman, amiable and accomplished. Besides her husband, she is survived by her father, three brothers and one sister.; The funeral arrangements had not been made last evening but will be announced later. o A FAT YEAR CONTRACTORS' BONDS MESA TEMPE PHOENIX I Immediate issuance on application Tl. i,nfllI .,mKrmrv.. Employers' Liability Insurance The Valley Lumber COITipanV Satisfactory Service Guaranteed ' Corp,t,in' Man,9,r Kt m cirifTTC JOBBERS AND DEALERS IN ALL 11. I!. riLllAi KINDS OF BUILDING MATERIAL 17 North First Avenue. Phone 603 Phone: 760 and 1862. Madison and Third Sts. T. B. STEWART The Dav and Ni&ht Solar Heater TTTT nxvr nrtXTT'D A n"VfX iB Bold and lnstal,ed y us either under separate uU J-LilJlJMU' jJa IXUMjlUIfc contract or in combination with builders. Get us Into your specifications one way or the other, and Specialty of Heavy Building Construe- ba lad yu dlJ- tion and High class Residential Work Southwestern Solar Heater Co. - 219 National Bank of Arizona Building. Rooms 1 and 2 Central Bldg. . Phone iU Postoffice Box 1298. Telephone 1198 Superior Workmanship Call Por Estimates F. C. H U RST Republican Job Printing Dept architect Prices Reasonable 129 n. central ta m "Northern Arizona Is in the most prosperous condition it has enjoyed for ten years," said O. N. Cresswell, state inspector of weights and meas ures, who returned Saturday from an extended trip through Navajo, Coco nino and 'Yavapai counties. "There has been more rain this year than fo.- a number of years past, and the ranges are in splendid condition. The lumber mills at Flagstaff and other points are all running full, time, and business men everywhere have only favorable reports." "The project of a big tourist hotel for Flagstaff is being taken up by a number of men there, and- with pros pects of success," continued Mr. Creswell. "With a good tourist ho tel and a number of apartment houses, there is no reason why Flag staff should not rival Colorado Springs as a summer resort. With the completion of the . new 60,000,000 gallon reservoir now being con structed by the Santa Fe, and from which the town will be supplied with water, the way will be opened for other developments which will make Flagstaff one of the finest resorts anywhere in the country." The new state law regarding stan dard weights is being generally com plied with and there are few irregu larities. Practically all the dealers in the northern part of the state have com plied with the state law regarding weights and measures. "I found only a few irregularities." said Inspector Creswell, "and those are being reme ' died without the necessity of prose Are you looking for an investment that will pay you more than 8 per cent? Are you looking for a home ? We will build it for you. Our terms are easy. Southwestern Building & Investment Co. 17 West Adam Street GENASCO ASBESTOS SURFACE ROOFING A durable roofing, made from Asbestos, the best wool Felt, and Trinidad Lake Asphalt. The best Water proofing known. Fireproof, Waterproof, Acidproof, Gasproof. Do Not Dry Out and Become Brittle 0'Mallev Lumber Company Advance Sign Co. F. D. MILES. 0. G. SCHAFFER Our Signs Are a Tonic for Sick Business Irvine Bldg. 1st St. and E. Washington C. W. CISNEY Contractor and Builder General Jobbing 228 East Jffron 8t PHOENIX, ARIZONA RICH HDWE. CO. JOBBERS, HEAVY HARDWARE AngU Iron, all size Twisted Bar, Structural 8tl. Moot complete stock of bar in th Southwest Heating Furnaces LargCSt to Smallest Largest and Best Stock of t BLACKSMITH SUPPLIES between Pacific Coatt and St Loui 435 8outh Third Ave, Cor. Buchanan Phone 1870 PHOOENIX, ARIZONA Thornton Fitzhugh L. M. FlUhug h FITZHUGH & FITZHUGH Architects Room 10 Board of Trade Building, Phoenix, Arizona Los Angele Office 482 Pacific Electric Bldg. ROYAL W. LESCHER JOHN RLNKER KIBBEY Architects M National Bank of Arizona Bldg, Phoenix, Aril. BENNETT LUMBER CO. The big Phoenix Depot of Building Supplies of Every Description Con. Phone, Main 117 Overland Phon 711 GEO. HAGEMAN CO. PInmbing and Sheet Metal Work Cor. Second and Adams Sta. Phoenix, Arts. Plaster and Cement Work Foundations and Walks of all kinds. Try ma out Call me up for an estimate. W. C. POTTEIGER PHONE, 2271 U. L. Vleux Residence Phone 11(1 It's a Wise Man that Figure With Us. Cor. of Jackson and 2nd Ave. Phone 1211 EMIL J. PRANTZKE ARCHITECT 361 N. Fourth Ave. Phone 2312 Re-enforcing Bars. Structural Shapes, Metal Celling, Hy-Rib, Metal Lath, Sidewalk Lights, Concrete Miners, Engines, Motors EVERYTHING THAT GOES IN A MODERN BUILDING Arizona Hardware Supply Co. Tel. 1231. Office and Warehouse 3rd Ave. & Jackson PAINT CONTRACTING We are now employing men and con tracting painting and papering. Get our guarantee on your job and save time and an noyance. Phoenix Hardware Company 37 North First Avenue PHOENIX CEMENT WORKS Office Phone, Overland 8525 Manufacturers of Artificial Cement Stones, Bricks, Headgate, Pipe. All Size. White Sand and Chicken Qrlt Works 411 South. First EU Phoenix. Arts. IF ITS Planing Mill Work WE HAVE THE BEST EQUIPPED PLANT IN THE SOUTHWEST Estimates Furnished Phone 1188 First Street and Harriaen GEO. W. ItcCLARTY Everything Electrical 108 West Washington Bt WHITE MALTHOID ROOFING The only Pure White Roof on the . market. J. D. Halstead Lumber Co. Telephone 1151 M. L. Vleux Phone 1108 8. Treat Phone 111! VIEUX & TREAT Cement and Plaster Contractors and Ornamental Work PHOENIX, ARIZONA P. O. Bex 182 MONUMENTS Big Stock of Granite and Marble Salt River Valley Monumental Works V. E. Lindsay, Prop. Granite from our Quarries at Prascott, finest made 423 W. Washington St Phone 1327 AIMS BIND AGAIN PLEASES MANY FRIENDS The change in the arrangements for the regular Sunday concerts by Alden's Concert band at Riverside Park was inaugurated yesterday, and met with the Instant approval of the patrons. Up to this time, the concert has been in the shape of two appearances one in the afternoon and the other in the ev ening. This plan had several objec tionable features and inconvsnlences. For this reason, beginning yesterday afternoon, the concert will in the fu ture start at five o'clock in the after noon, and continue uninterrupted till eight o'clock in the evening. Another improvement which will be welcomed both by the boys in the band as well as the patrons of the park, is that from now on, the concerts will be held in the moving picture enclosure. The advantages of this plan are at once apparent, for not 6nly is the seating capacity larger but the muBic is heard to much better advantage than was the case when the concerts were held in the open air. v These weekly programs have grown to ba a part of the institution, and they are looked forward to eagerly from Sunday to Sunday. The concert yes terfay afternoon, was nr. txceptlonally well rendered one, and in the opinion of many was the best yet heard. The popularity of the request program was again evidenced, with the band ready and willing to comply. "The Prince of Pilsen" selection was the cause of con tinued applause as was also the most artistic rendition of "Zampa" which la conceded one of the most difficult se lections for a band to handle. The full score of the "Red Mill", by Victor Her bert was also well rendered. The pop ular selections were well taken care of and taken all in all, the concert was a success from every standpoint. I t -. ': f ' i V"' r.