Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-09

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one-third the number of cases, were arraigned
e.. and convicted.
/ CHARITY.
The police had the ususl demands for charity
during the last twelve months, and succeeded
in relieving about s, 800 persons, at an expendi-
ture OF s1,5s9.25 While the department,
Ike other organizations engaged in extending
| relief to the poor, suffered impositions, it was
only where investigation left a doubt, and the
subject In want was given that benefit. Among
| those who called in person begging assistance
we're some who had seen and experienced better
days. While there were those who claimed that
the world owed them a living. who would not
work, and who frequently renew their appeals
Tor assistance, Deremptory refusal has reduced
| their number to minimum. Women with
| drunken husbands. mothers and children with
| sick fathers at home, overtaken by overdue
rent. were frequent visitors. While many of
| them could secure bread and meat to keep them
! from starving, the shadow of the constable
| AFTER the rent was their constant torment and
! anxiety. There we're lone women whose pow
erty reached the attention OF the authorities by
| chance. The last named class a general
thing we're loath to accept charity for fear that
| their names would appear upon the pages of
the police record. The presence of hungry
and cold children made the mother abandon
any such thought, if she had it. There were
men with trades who had families dependent
upon them, with willing hands, but no one to
| give them work.
Fuel and food were furnished upon orders
issued by the lieutenants where cases were
| found worthy, and some we're given small
financial aid from the insufficient apportion-
ment made for the purpose. At the several
station houses 7,72S dodgers were accommo-
dated
Each years experience in dealing with the
| poor of the District emphasizes the necessity
| for n bureau of charities, where all such work
might be concentrated, where the expenses
| might be reduced to the lowest figure, and re-
| lief extended to the greatest deserving number;
| where a warehouse for the reception of -four
and meal, yard for wood and coal donations,
and a barrack for dodgers, with soup, coffee,
beans and bread, might be provided. Lot a
| days labor by boy or man in the woodward en-
| title him to temporary board and lodging
| Food and fuel could be distributed to worthy
| families. after investigation proved them such.
The policeman or citizen on the street could
hand the unfortunate one ticket, good for
meal and lodging, in lieu of the pecuniary aid
often given where il does the least good. The
capital Is behind other large cities of the coun-
try in its methods of dealing with the every day
poor. and here is furnished quite all extensive
field for thought and practice.
SANITARY OFFICE.
The report of the officer in charge OF the
police sanitary work, which involves the dispo-
sition Of paupers, the insane and the sick. as
well the transportation toward or to their
homes of INDECENT persons about to become
charges upon the District Of Columbia gives
facts and figures which evidence such increased
responsibility and labor as will eventually neces-
state the establishment of a bureau, with its
attendant supervision and clerical assistance.
That official cites the growing disposition. ac-
quired by the peculiar classes he must investi-
gate and deal with. to impose upon the depart
ment; and n conscientious performance Of his
duties, which require full report to the super
intendent of such cases call for expendi-
ture of appropriation, makes his labor tedious
and slow. Tramps and impostors have been
turned away in their efforts TO secure that
charity which was provided for meritorious
cases. The army OF cranks is represented to
have decreased to thirteen in the number of
calls for assistance. which in a measure may be
ascribed to quiet in the political world. Trans
portation was furnished to Cos persons or forty
three more than for the year preceding. OF
this number l26, or about One-fifth. were ex-
soldiers and sailors who came here under the
delusion that their presence would secure
prompt granting of their pension claims. Dis
appointed and destitute. those deserving were
thus aided. 1t Il suggested, in this connection,
that the veteran should be slow to come to the
capital on such errands and scorn the advice to
the contrary, often held ont by irresponsi-
bic persons for mercenary motives. Were not
the small appropriation carefully husbanded it
would be easier to secure pension than police
transportation.
The various hospitals admitted through the
agency of this office ASST persons, 5 less than
during the year 1891, when the grip was cpl
denic, which establishes the fact that the sick
list Is annually added to- In no small degree
the increase Is fastened upon the District by
the contiguous states of Maryland and Virginia,
persons sick and destitute coming from those
states for hospital admittance here. When the
crowded condition of our institutions is con-
sidered the injustice of this practice becomes
apparent. This department, in the interest of
humanity. must mot tlrn the sick the
streets and the public. The report shows that
1877 residents of Virginia were given hospital
permits during the year, GO more than the year
previous, while Maryland furnished 1879 appli-
cants, an increase of 80.
Twelve less subjects were committed to the
government asylum for the insane than for the
prior fiscal year. there being a total of 159.
The publicity given cases of this kind through
trial by jury. which has been a comparatively
recent practice in the District, may have tended
to diminish charges of insanity. Another pc
culiarity in relation to tine insane is that they
manifest their presence more numerously at
the capital during Inauguration times and years
of political excitement. The decrease under
any circumstances. is encouraging. The re-
port refers to the want of pro visions for tenn
porary care of the insane The department
has already arranged for an improved method
for the handling of the demented at the sew
eral police stations.
MISCELLANY.
The number of cases investigated BY the Off
Ger de tailed to assist the Humane Society in the
enforcement of the law for the protection and
care of children was 81. Twenty abandoned
children were provided for and 1874 were taken
from parents or guardians and committed to
asylums and reformitories. The suggestions Of
the agent will commend themselves, as well to
the just rs TO the compassionate.
The harbor master reports the police boat
inadequate in size and equipment for the varied
duties for which il is used. As urged by him,
an appropriation should be made for a YES
sci furnished with all the modern police, har-
Dor and fire appliances.
The disproportion between the number of
licensed passenger vehicles and the number Of
authorized hack stands is somewhat striking
the vehicles, all told, aggregating 574, the
stands Is. The latter will have to be gradually
added to, otherwise Grabbing" Cor. soliciting
passengers) or the avenues and streets will be-
come prevalent The selection Of stands is a
delicate matter, as they almost invariably elicit
protests from those who live in proximity to
them. Yet the hackman must make a living
and he who wants to ride ought to be accommo-
dated, but at the same time must be taken
not to disturb the peace and quiet of a resident
neighborhood. The hack service to be properly
regulated demands considerable attention, as
may be judged from the report Of the officer
who during the last twelve months made 1894
visits to the various stands. inspected 574 vehi-
ces, brought to trial "a vlolators of the law and
auIcably adjusted SO cases Of difference be-
tween passengers and drivers.