Page 135 - Neglected Arabia Vol I (1)

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NEGLECTED ARABIA IS

would rest. The police and other city employees would have to be
responsible to this body instead of directly to him. To give up this
amount of power was distasteful.
> What tended to make the ruling sheikh still more unwilling was
the machinations of enemies of the scheme, of those who felt that
j in some way the new plan would interfere with their doubtful privi-
&'!! leges. Among these were some of the more religious members of
3k« the community; They tlocked to the; none-too-wiliing ruler and
j/ * demonstrated Jto him from* both the Koran and the traditions that the
£ contemplated innovations were against the interests of true, religion,
and failed not to impress upon him what hardship it would occasion
to the poor flock under his care. On the other hand, to stir up
v opposition on the part of the public, they circulated all manner of evil
reports, such as that health inspectors would at stated; times enter all
homes by force and transport thence to public hospitals ail sick people,
2
whether men or women. * &
$ •
When Major- Dickson came to Bahrein he, like others who had
«
proceeded him,.immediately saw the need of a better city government.
L He had the advantage of some of his predecessors in that he understood
1 the Arab better than they. The causes of previous failures soon became
&
13- evident to him. It was not a matter, however, that could be com-
U nwnded, for the city is under the jurisdiction of the sheikh and the
end had to be attained, by diplomacy. By means of untiring patience,
? constant pressure and countless interviews the matter finally came to
\i. a head. The reluctant sheikh at last affixed the necessary signature,
* a city council was appointed and the new municipality began to
i function. The-new government at once started to work with a rush.
As manager* they appointed an Indian Mohammedan who had been
■'r connected with local business firms for some years. A man of no mean
i ability, contemptuous of the Arabs and flushed with pride at his
? „cw powers, he ran things with a high hand. A large corps of i
^weepers was engaged, the streets were cleaned, rubbish cleared away,
garbage heaps carted into the desert, new streets laid out and, wherever i
jjossible, old streets widened. To the surprise and dismay of the
tenants, whole rows of huts were pulled up and relocated. Unhappily,
the opportunities for corruption proved too much for" the manager, so
^ that the city had to dispense with his services. Nevertheless he deserves
t
yr great credit for having given the enterprise a good start.
But the municipality, once having a good start, with the help and
encouragement of Major Dickson's successor, Major Daly, promises to
If;- continue to be a most helpful and beneficial institution. With sane and
i responsible men at the head, it appears to be working very satisfactorily.
I? The streets are kept cleaner than ever before. They are swept every
1 morning and a number of carts have been secured to carry away the
: refuse every day. Meanwhile improvements of a more permanent
character are quietly going on. A force of well-paid police, no longer
* enjoying the privilege of buying things at half-price, patrol the streets
by day and night. The city certainly is a cleaner and pleasanter and..
K-
t? wc tru$t, more healthful place to live in.