Specifications for the collection and disposal of ashes, garbage, dead animals, and miscellaneous refuse in the District of Columbia.

1. Definitions. The term "garbage" wherever it occurs in these specification means all refuse of animal and vegetable matter which has been used as food for man (except oyster and clam shells from business places) and all refuse animal and vegetable matter which was intended to be so used, and includes food condemned by the health department. The term "dead animals" means all dead animals, or parts thereof, not intended to be used as food for man. The term "miscellaneous refuse" means all refuse from places of residence and business, except garbage, dead animals, night soil, and ashes. In addition to the ordinary household rubbish it will be held to include discarded Christmas trees and greens and small branches from shrubs or vines, but will not include any material whatever in the nature of earth or sand, wall paper, lumber, brick, stone, plaster, or other substance that may accumulate as the result of building operations or repairs to yards and buildings. Manure is not included under any of the above classes of material. The term "ashes" will be held to mean ashes from coal and other fuel, and will include such mineral substances as fallen plastering, etc., as may accumulate in connection with the ordinary conduct of dwellings and places of business, but not such as may accumulate as the result of building operations.

2. Hours of collection.-Garbage, miscellaneous refuse, and ashes must be collected between 7 o'clock a. m. and 6 o'clock p. m.; dead animals must be collected between 6 o'clock a. m. and 9 o'clock p. m. Special collections at other hours may be authorized by the commissioners, and may be required by them whenever in their judgment they are necessary.

3. Receptacles. Garbage intended for collection will be deposited by householders in water-tight covered vessels which can easily be handled by one man; ashes and miscellaneous refuse intended for collection will be deposited by householders in receptacles suitable for that purpose and which can easily be handled by one man. All receptacles aforesaid will be placed at points accessible to collectors. In the case of hotels, apartment houses, markets, etc., larger receptacles will be allowed under such restrictions as the commissioners may determine. In the event of dispute between citizen and contractor as to the point at which the garbage, ashes, or miscellaneous refuse shall be placed for collection the case shall be referred to the superintendent of street cleaning, whose decision shall be binding upon the contractor. 4. Defining accessibility Provisions for failure to remove. The term "accessible to collectors" in the foregoing paragraph (No. 3) of these specifications shall be held to mean the placing of the receptacles by the householder inside of and near to the side or rear entrance of the premises (if collections are made from the side or rear) and in the areaway or other convenient place in front of said premises (if collections are made from the front), and the unfastening of the gate or other approach to the premises upon due warning by the collector by the free use of his horn, gong, or other signal. No receptacle will be allowed on the sidewalk, street, or public alley, and if the house or building has no yard or areaway large enough to hold the receptacles containing what accumulation is made between the regular collection days without unduly blocking the free passage through such areaway, collection must be made from within said house or building, provided entrance be afforded by a previously unlocked gate, door, or window. Nothing in these specifications shall be held to compel the contractor on his regular collection day to stop at any premises where the gate or other entrance thereto is found locked at the time of his arrival, nor to wait for said entrance to be opened, nor to notify the householders of his presence by any other means than the free use of his horn, gong, or other signal: Provided, however, That where, through failure by any cause of his own, the contractor does not remove ashes, garbage, or miscellaneous refuse on his regular collection day, such material must be collected the next succeeding day, if so desired, by the householder, from each and all of the premises neglected, whether the said material is made accessible or not in the meaning previously defined in this paragraph.

The fact that the contractor so removes the neglected material the day following the regular time of collection shall not be held to release him from liability for liquidated damages incurred by such neglect, except where the streets on the regular collection day are, in the opinion of the superintendent of street cleaning, in such condition as to excuse such neglect.

5. Removal from street, etc.-Each contractor for the removal of any class of material named in paragraph 1 of these specifications, which is ordinarily kept in receptacles on the premises of the householder, must under such exceptional circumstances as in the opinion of the superintendent of street cleaning render it necessary, and upon his order, remove such material from any public street, avenue, alley, or road, or from any vacant lot, park, or uninclosed land.

6. Mixed material. The commissioners will enforce the separation by householders of each class of material named in paragraph 1 of these specifications, so far as may be practicable. But whenever, through neglect on the part of a householder or otherwise, two or more classes of such materials have been deposited in the same receptacle or place, the collection contractor affected, when such mixed material is refused by his collector, must notify the householder on whose premises the mixed material is found and request said householder to have such material separated in accordance with the police regulations of the District of Columbia; in the event of the householder refusing so to do, the contractor must forthwith, in writing, notify the superintendent of street cleaning, giving the name and address of the householder. Whenever in his opinion it becomes necessary said superintendent shall determine by which contractor or contractors, if any, the material in question shall be collected and disposed of, and such contractor or contractors must collect and dispose of such material.

7. Unlawful receptacles-Frozen material.-Lawful receptacles for ashes, garbage, and miscellaneous refuse will be found defined as to size and nature in the police regulations of the District of Columbia. No person shall deposit ashes for collection in any receptacle having a capacity of less than 5 nor more than 24 gallons. If material is found in unlawful receptacles the collector may refuse to collect the same, unless the use of such unlawful receptacles has been necessitated by the collection contractor's neglect (see par. 8) or authorized by the superintendent of street cleaning, but if such material is refused, the householder must be notified and the reason for such refusal must be explained to him by the contractor. If, upon the next regular collection day, lawful receptacles have not been provided, the contractor for collection must notify the superintendent of street cleaning forthwith, in writing, giving the name and address of the householder at fault.

The said police regulations instruct householders to keep garbage free from dishwater and as dry as practicable, to have both ash and garbage receptacles covered when awaiting collections so as to prevent animals from getting at their contents, to keep out rain, and to obviate freezing as far as possible. When garbage or ashes are found in frozen condition, the collector for such class of material shall not refuse to collect same without notification to the householder, and if said householder is willing that the collector shall attempt to loosen such frozen material and release the collector from any unavoidable damage done to the receptacle in such attempt, said collector must remove such frozen material. Where the householder is not willing to release the collector from unavoidable damage in loosening the contents of the receptacle, and the material is refused, the contractor for the collection of such material must notify the superintendent of street cleaning of such refusal forthwith, in writing, giving the name and address of the householder on whose premises the frozen material is found; provided, however, that nothing in this or the preceding paragraph shall be held to release the contractor or contractors for collection from liability for liquidated damages incurred by neglect where material has been refused from any cause whatever (except inaccessibility), unless such refusal is reported in writing forthwith to the superintendent of street cleaning as herein provided for.

8. Accumulation.-Householders are required to provide sufficient receptacles for each class of material to contain all of such material accumulating on the premises between the regular collection days. The contractor shall, on demand of the householder or the superintendent of street cleaning, collect all of such material, whether the same be in lawful receptacles or not, whenever an accumulation results through his neglect, but he shall not be required to collect such material as may not be in lawful receptacles and due to the neglect of the householder.

9. Receptacles, and damage to same. The contractor for the collection of garbage must provide each of his collectors with a water-tight bucket, said bucket to be used wherever possible in the transfer of garbage from the householder's receptacles to the contractor's collection vehicle.

All receptacles, whether for ashes, garbage, or miscellaneous refuse, shall be replaced in the position where found by the collector, shall be handled carefully, and if damaged by the carelessness of the collector such damage shall be made good by the contractor for collection.

10. Obstruction of streets, etc.—If any street, avenue, alley, or road be obstructed so that vehicles used for the collection of any material mentioned in paragraph 1 of these specifications can not pass into, over, or through the same, the contractor for the collection of such material must cause it to be removed to collection vehicles on the streets, avenues, alleys, or roads which are not obstructed.

11. Warning signal-Manner of collection.-The contractor for the collection of any material described in paragraph 1 of these specifications must see that each collector employed by him gives, in such manner as may be directed by the superintendent of

street cleaning, timely notice to the householder of his approach so that the material may be collected without undue delay. The contractor must see that no collector employed by him picks or sorts over material collected, and that it is transferred from the receptacles of householders to the vehicles used for collection without unnecessary delay or exposure and without spilling. The contractor must see that each collector employed by him who opens a gate, door, or window leading to any premises properly closes the same before departing.

12. Notices of collection days, etc.-The contractor for the collection of garbage or miscellaneous refuse and of ashes shall, at his own expense, issue cards, approved by the superintendent of street cleaning, stating the days for collecting such material in particular streets and districts, and designating as nearly as may be between what hours the collector will call in each locality; shall, before beginning work, cause one or more copies of such cards to be left at every building from which such material is to be collected; and whenever it is proposed to make any changes in the days or hours of collection, and prior to making such change, shall cause one or more copies of cards showing proposed time of collection to be left at each building affected by it.

The information as to collection days and hours required on the above cards must be supplemented by such quotations from the police regulations concerning the size and nature of receptacles, their accessibility, and the character of the separation of the various classes of material called for by such regulations as may be ordered in writing by the superintendent of street cleaning, and such other information as may be desired by the contractor and approved by the superintendent.

Where collections are made semiweekly, at least two days must elapse between collections; where made three times a week, at least one day must elapse between collections.

13. Collection districts and map.—The contractor for the collection of any material mentioned in paragraph 1 of these specifications shall, before commencing work, and thereafter at least two weeks before each change, if there be any, from summer to winter service, and vice versa, subdivide the entire area from which collections are to be made into collection districts of such size as, for the purposes of his contract, can be readily served under ordinary circumstances by one vehícle; shall assign to each collection district a number; shall furnish the superintendent of street cleaning with a map showing the boundaries of each district, the number assigned to it, and the collection days in it; and shall forthwith notify said superintendent in writing of any change in boundaries and numbers of such collection districts which may be made after such map has been furnished and incorporate such changes on said map.

If said map is not furnished nor said notification given as herein provided, the superintendent of street cleaning shall withhold his certificate from the regular semimonthly pay voucher until such map or written notice is received by him.

14. Ownership of material.-If a single contract be awarded for the collection and disposal of any material, all such material collected will be the property of the contractor from the time of its collection. If, however, separate contracts be awarded for the collection and for the disposal of any material the contractor for collection will have no ownership in the material collected except as may be necessary to enable him to transfer the same, but must deliver all such material, without alteration or diminution, except such as may result from the use of disinfectants and deodorizers, to the contractor for disposal. Such material will be the property of the contractor for the disposal thereof after it has been delivered to him by the contractor for collection. 15. Separate contracts for the collection and disposal and the transfer points.—If separate contracts be awarded for the collection and for the disposal of any material, and it is desired by the latter contractor to dispose of any such material at some place not in or within convenient hauling distance from the city of Washington, and the commissioners consent thereto, the latter contractor must establish and maintain in or within convenient hauling distance from said city such station or stations as in the opinion of the commissioners may be necessary for the reception and transfer of the material collected or delivered there, which latter stations must not be located at any place nor reduced in number nor changed in location without the consent of the commissioners.

16. Incombustible residue-Presenting mixed material.-Where a contract is let for the disposal of any material or materials by burning, the driver for the District or for the collection contractor or any other person delivering such material or materials must not be kept waiting to empty, or after emptying his vehicle, or for any purpose whatever. If the material so presented is in its nature incombustible, or if it leaves an incombustible residue after burning, such material or residue must be disposed of by the contractor for disposal in a manner satisfactory to the commissioners.

If, however, material presented to any contractor for disposal is found to be mixed with any other class of material to the extent of 5 per cent or more it may be refused by said contractor, if authorized so to do by the representative of the street-cleaning

department stationed at the place of reception, and the person delivering it may be required to separate said mixed material properly, or to remove it forthwith upon failure to do so.

17. Dumps for ashes.—If a contract be made for the collection of ashes and authorizing their disposal on such public dumps as may be controlled from time to time by the commissioners, the contractor for such collection and disposal shall provide his own safeguards at such dumping places and shall take such precautions as may be necessary to prevent accident. The commissioners will assume no liability for accidents resulting through the contractor's use of said dumping places. The superintendent of street cleaning shall station at such places a representative who shall have general supervision and control over the points at which dumping must be done, the time of opening and closing said dump, the prevention of all fires on the dump, the trimming and handling of all material, the persons permitted on the dump, and shall determine the character of such material as is presented for disposal. Only clean ashes will be accepted at such dumps, and the representative of the superintendent of street cleaning shall be empowered to refuse all ashes mixed with other materials brought to the dump and to require such mixed material to be separated or to order it removed forthwith. The contractor shall be bound to conduct the dumping in accordance with the directions of the superintendent of street cleaning and the contractor must comply with such directions.

18. Time of disposal.-Garbage, dead animals, miscellaneous refuse, and ashes must be within the digesting tanks or within the furnace or otherwise in process of actual disposal not later than 7 o'clock a. m. on the day following its delivery at the place of disposal. Such garbage and dead animals must be completely disposed of within 24 hours and all miscellaneous refuse and ashes within 72 hours after such delivery. The capacity of any plant or method established by any contractor must be sufficient to enable necessary repairs to be made without interfering with the work of disposal.

19. Transportation.-Arrangements for transportation and the method of disposal must be such that regular daily disposal will not be interrupted by reason of (1) the obstruction of the Potomac River by ice or otherwise, (2) the effect of bad weather on roads, (3) inadequate railway facilities.

20. Lost articles.-Articles of special value found in the material or on the dead animals collected must be kept by the contractor for the disposal of such material or dead animal in his office for a period of one year after the finding thereof.

As soon as possible after the finding thereof the contractor must cause each such article to be properly marked so as to show the date of finding and as nearly as may be possible the place where found. A list of such articles shall be forwarded daily to the superintendent of street cleaning, describing each article found since the preceding report, and showing the collection district from which it came, the name of the finder, and such other information as may be of assistance in discovering the owner.

21. Plant.-Each contractor must establish and maintain without cost to the District of Columbia beyond the price stated in his proposal or proposals all such wharves, boats, cars, vehicles, buildings, furnaces, boilers, driers, presses, and other devices and apparatus as may be necessary to enable him to perform the work specified in his

contract or contracts.

22. Covered conveyances.-Material collected under these specifications must be transported by the contractor or contractors within the District of Columbia in covered conveyances satisfactory to the commissioners.

23. Collection vehicles.-Vehicles used by the contractor for the collection of any class of material other than dead animals described in paragraph 1 of these specifications must be uniform and have capacities in exact multiples of 1 yard, except as otherwise authorized in writing by the commissioners. Such vehicles must be so constructed as to be loaded and unloaded and to carry their contents without offense to the public. They must be strongly built, must be plainly numbered on both sides and marked with the name and address of the collection contractor, and must be kept in good repair, well painted, thoroughly cleaned, and free from odor at all times.

24. Care and use of garbage receptacles, vehicles, etc.-Every receptacle used by the contractor for the collection of garbage, whether tank, can, barrel, or the body of a cart or wagon, must be metal, water-tight, strongly built, provided with a close-fitting metal or other tight-fitting cover satisfactory to the commissioners, and have a capacity of not less than 30 gallons. The cover, if made of metal, must be equipped with rubber or other pads to effectually prevent rattling and, together with the body of the receptacle, must be thoroughly washed inside and out once each 24 hours; if furnished by the contractor for disposal, this washing must be performed by said contractor.

Every vehicle used for the collection of miscellaneous refuse and for the collection of ashes must be so constructed as to prevent the escape of its contents during the

process of transportation and must be covered with canvas or other cover. When in motion on streets and avenues it must be tightly closed or covered, so that its contents are not exposed to view, and while being filled it shall not be uncovered for a longer time than is necessary, and every reasonable precaution must be used in transferring the contents of the householders' receptacles to prevent ashes and rubbish from blowing about.

25. Animals.-None but strong, serviceable horses or mules shall be used in connection with any work performed under these specifications, and illtreatment or neglect of same will not be permitted.

26. Inspection of vehicles. Each contractor must present all vehicles used by him for inspection at such times and places as may be designated by the commissioners. 27. Collection of dead animals. The contractor for the removal of dead animals will be required to remove them promptly as they may be found and reported to him. The commissioners will, however, assume no responsibility for the correctness of such report as may be made by any employee in the service of the said District, and the contractor for the removal of dead animals shall not charge for, nor can he collect from said District, any loss or losses incurred in responding to notification for the removal of a dead animal where said animal has, prior to such contractor's arrival, been removed by some other person, or where the owner of such animal refuses to consent to its removal. Each dead animal must be removed skillfully and without offense and transported in a closed vehicle to the place of disposal. Removal must take place, May to September, inclusive, within 6 hours, and from October to April, inclusive, within 10 hours after receipt of notification by the contractor by telephone or otherwise, or forthwith if directed to do so by the superintendent of street cleaning, and in the event of neglect so to remove the commissioners may perform such removal and charge the expense thereof to the contractor and may deduct and retain the cost thereof out of the moneys due or to become due to the contractor under this contract.

29. Disinfectants. The contractor shall keep his plant and equipment disinfected in such manner and by the use of such disinfectants as the commissioners may direct. 30. Collection of rubbish with other material.-If miscellaneous refuse is collected by the contractor for the collection of any other class of material, at the same time and with the same horses, men, and vehicles as are used for the collection of such other material, such miscellaneous refuse must be kept entirely separate and distinct from such other material, inclosed in tight sacks or other approved covered receptacle, or in a part of the vehicle partitioned off from the rest of, or in racks placed above, said vehicle, and such sacks or other receptacles must not be hung from the sides or body of the vehicle and must be so closed that their contents can not escape during the process of collection and transportation. Such method of combined removal shall not be put into effect without the consent and approval of the superintendent of street cleaning.

32. Dismissal of employees.—If an employee of a contractor use improper language or be under the influence of liquor while on duty, or accept or demand pay from citizens for service rendered, or falsify any report he may be called upon to make, or do any other act which in the opinion of the superintendent of street cleaning is inimical to the proper and efficient prosecution of the contract, the contractor by whom he is employed, shall, upon demand, at once discharge such employee from his service, and shall forthwith furnish such employee's full name and the nature of the work performed by him to the superintendent of street cleaning. No contractor under these specifications shall employ, on any work under his contract, any person who has been discharged under the foregoing requirements.

33. Reports by contractor. The contractor for the collection of any material mentioned in paragraph 1 of these specifications shall make daily reports to the superintendent of street cleaning, on blanks approved by him, which reports shall show the number of each collection district, the number of each vehicle employed therein, and the number of full loads and parts of loads, and the weight of each, or, in the case of dead animals, the number and species collected. Such reports shall show also the number of men and of horses employed each day with each vehicle. The contractor must also furnish to said superintendent, daily, a complete list of all failures on his part to comply with the requirements of his contract which have come to his notice during the preceding day, and the reason for such failure. The contractor for the collection and the contractor for the disposal of any material aforesaid shall furnish in writing such information in reference to the conduct of work under his contract as may be required from time to time by said superintendent or by the commissioners. If such information is not supplied within two weeks from the date of request for the same, the commissioners may, in their discretion, retain such money or moneys as may be due said contractor, until he has supplied the information requested.