The Living City | New York City >> 1910s >> 1914

The garbage problem in New York City, through much improved during the 1890's, still prompted public attention in the 1910's. In the interest of stimulating public cooperation, the Department of Street Cleaning hosted an exhibition in 1914. The exhibition during November, 1914 also served as a testing ground for manufacturers interested in marketing new cleaning devices to New York City clientele. Of the course of a week the Street Cleaning Exhibition attracted 27,273 visitors. The visitors were treated to equipment demonstrations, parades of department staff and children's poster competitions. In addition, the exhibition featured a public lecture series. The topics ranged from the health effects of filthiness to a session dedicated to women's reform efforts.

The most popular lecture session, entitled. "The City," featured the mayor and heads of city agencies discussing the financial health of the city. As the report of the exhibition noted, "The people were desirous of knowing how the head of the City's government [Mayor Mitchell], the gentlemen who holds the purse strings [Comptroller Prendergast] and the department largely responsible for enforcing the laws [Deputy Police Commissioner Godley] felt towards Commissioner Fetherston's efforts to make New York a cleaner city." (Report of the Street Cleaning Exhibition, 1914, MANYC) In his speech, the mayor lauded street cleaning commissioner Fetherston for his efforts at improving the condition of the city. While much of the focus was on street cleaning and urban cleanliness, the government officials also used the exhibition to encourage citizen interest in the function of city government.