Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-30
A BAD SANITARY CONDITION.
Result OF Inspector Robinson's Examination
of the White House.


Of the White House.
The sanitary condition of the White House is
defective in many ways That is what Chief
substantially says in his report on the matter
today. For a number of years it has been
claimed that the plumbing and general sanitary
arrangement Of the Executive Mansion was
defective. On Wednesday last Col Ernst, who
has charge Of public buildings and grounds, in
response to a request from the President and
Mrs. Harrison. who believed that the recent
sickness in the White House was probably be-
cause Of the defective sanitary arrange
ments called upon the Commissioners and re-
quested that they cause the inspector of plumb
ing to examine the plumbing and sanitary con-
ditioE Of the White House and re-
port thereon. Accordingly an order
was issued and yesterday Prof. Robinson
paid visit to the White House and made
careful and extended examination of the
premises. Today he made his report TO the
Commissioners, copy of which is given below:
THE INSPECTORS REPORT.
have made an inspection of the drainage
and plumbing in the Executive Mansion by
request of Col. o. H. Ernst. commissioner of
public buildings and grounds. The position of
the several plumbing fixtures and the arrange
ment Of the lines Of soil and waste pipes
. is exceedingly ay s shnp Snd make no
drains appear to be free from de-
fective joints upon the peppermint test
being made in the usual careful manner prac-
ticed by this Office and the provision for flush
ing the fixtures is sufficient to keep the drains
free of obstruction. Each line of waste pipe
as it reaches the basement is carried directly
through the outside wall into the main drain
and running traps with fresh-air inlets
are conveniently located. The fresh
all pipes. however. instead of be-
ing four inches are only two inches in
diameter, and recommend their enlargement
to secure more efficient ventilation Of the
house drains. The test of peppermint indi-
Gated a leak under the water closet on second
floor, directly opposite the elevator, and rec
ommend that this closet be reset and the Joint
with the drain be securely made.
BALL TRAPS SHOULD BE CLEANED.
There are several ball traps used on the
smaller waste pipes and these should be opened
carefully and cleaned at regular intervals at
least twice year-they now require attention.
The water closet in bath room in southwest cor
ner on second floor is imperfect in operation and
think q new closet Of same class, but of more
modern construction, should be supplied Al
though the ball traps under the smaller fixtures
in this bath room cannot easily be unsealed
they should be ventilated by means of a two
inch pipe directly to the roof in order to afford
a circulation Of air through the lines of lateral
waste pipes. The bath tubs throughout
the house are of wood with copper
lining, and all the surrounding surfaces are of
wood. The basins surrounded with cabinet
finished closets, receptacles for dust and dirt
in the style commonly in use twenty-five years
ago. The bath rooms are either unventilated
or inadequately ventilated and have a close,
stuffy odor unavoidable under such conditions
cannot say less than to recommend
that all bath tubs be replaced by
ceramic or enameied tubs and all wood work
be removed from about the basins and the
floor and walls about all plumbing fixtures be
made nOn-absorbent by being laid in glazed
tile. and that efficient vent shafts of ample
area for the positive ventilation of these
rooms be provided. This is no
sama,,v pr rrsrii.oS than is now
dences, and in the present state of the art
Of sanitation most people who could command
the means for making a change would not sub
NIT to the Objectionable conditions existing in
the White House.
BAD STATE OF THINGS IN THE BASEMENT
There appears to be considerable pollution
Of the floor and walls about the servants water
closet in basement. This fixture, think, is
badly located, and, as il il used great deal by
persons not employed in the house, it might be
removed to the outside Of the house. II allowed
to remain it is evident that greater number
as well as better construction, should be
provided with non-absorbent surroundings
There IL peculiar UNPLEASANT odor throughout
the basement, the causes of which may be rea-
sonably accounted for a. follows The laundry,
which 10 quite an extensive affair, is located
here in an unventilated apartment ex-
cept by windows and wooden tubs are
used instead of non-absoIbent mate
rial. Much Of the floor in the basement
il Of porous sandstone slabs, which were laid
when the house was built and while holding
much impurity are no protection against
ground air. The entire basement floor should
be removed and resurfaced with hydraulic
cement.
The wood work about the pantry sink should
be removed and the dark unventilated closets in
the basement, especially under the stairway
floor, should be opened up to night
and air. To entirely eradicate the
disagreeable smell Of the basement il NAV be
necessary TO remove much or all Of the plaster
ing and renew with non-absorbent material.
The above report was 10 Be forwarded to Col.
Ernst today.