Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1917 — TO PLACARD DIRTY PREMISES [ARTICLE]

TO PLACARD DIRTY PREMISES

California City Adopt* Unique Plan to Raise Standard of Cleanliness in Residences and Business Houses. The city of Alameda, Cal., has adopted a unique plan to raise the standard of cleanliness in residences and business houses. In future the sanitary condition of the various premises is to be shown by placards bearing the inscriptions “Clean,” “Dirty” or “Filthy.” Those places which do not satisfy the board of health will be placarded as dirty or filthy until they comply with the demands of the authorities. This action was decided upon by the board of health, which appointed a committee to post the placards and to care for the general health of the city. The board of health Intends to inspect not only the business houses but also the private residences of the city and to affix the placards to every house in the city. Those residences which can be designated as “clean” will not be placarded, but those in- which sanitary conditions are disregarded will be designated as “dirty” or “filthy” until the house owners remedy the conditions, upon which the placards will be removed. As the board of health has arbitrary powers under the city charter, the placards must remain on the Rouses or places of business until the board is satisfied that the conditions therein are sanitary. If any householder tears dowri the placards, the extreme penalty of the Jaw can be enforced.