The morning call., 1892-04-25
LIFE At THE AIMS HOUSE.
How the Wards Of the City Are
Housed and Fed.
Quality Of Food Supplied TO the INDECENT
and the Officials - Condition OF
tina Premises.

line about four ana nal1 miles from Ine
new City ball, are two large and one sma II
building which are officially designated as
the AmshCuse. One of these is four
story structure which overlooks the reser-
voir of the Spring Valley Water Company.
known as Lake Honda. The other is To-
Gated a hundred yards north. The third is
a smaller building situated still further
north, and at one time, in the very long
ago, used as a hospital for patients suffering
from smallpox and other contagious dis
eases. These are located on SO acres Of
ground owned by the city. The four story
structure, in which are located the quar-
ters of tie superintendent and other Off
GERS, has accomm 0dations for 500 inmates.
and was opened when bat three stories
had been finished Oh the 18Th of September,
1867. Under the superinte ndence Of George
F.. Harris, In 1871 the hospital building
which had been allowed TO go TO wreck and
ruin was put ia complete repairs by the
inmates of the place and used to accommo-
date the increasing number OF poor people
who demanded 4 home from the authorities.
= The three-st0Ty structure was erected in
1886 and il is calculated To furnish room for
$50, paupeTs. making in all room for 80
without crOwdiDg. and the number there at
the present time is about $50. 100 Being
women The first superintendent was super
ceded after n two years lnCumbency by the
late NJ. j. Heating. who held the position
until his death, which occurred about three
years age, and since then the oflce las been
filled by p. L. Weaver.
"A VISIT OF. INSPECTION.
A few days since a representative Of THE
GALL paid an early morning visit to the
home of the paupers, reaching the place
shortly after breakfast. In accordance
= with his request the reporter was conducted
BY Superintendent Weaver to the kitchen,
where dinner was being prepared. Ii was
barley soup with the usual accompaniment
?. OF cut up vegetables 1t was strong, nutrI-
tous. well prepared ana as good as soup OF
the same name Optalned IN many reStaur-
ANTS in The city. The cornbeef on corn
beef days Is served up with cabbage, while
the boiled beef is served on certain days as
plain boiled beef and at other times II Is cut
into slices the size of az allowance, about
ii ounces, and put In pan. covered with
gravy and allowed to become warmed
Though.
e From the kitchen the cook led the way to
well-ycntiiated hallway or space in which
the meats are kept, and explained that the
msats are brought out twice week. that the
beef is delivered in half-carcaSSes, including
fore and hind quarters, and that the mutton
is delivered in carcaSseS. The beef on the
hooks was Of good quality, the choice cuts
set aside for the officers table and tie
balahce for the inmates. The mutton was
OF rather poorer quality, and certainly not
up to the standard set down in the schedule
nhANh N1iho AOi ~uGbNShs AAN9hb Al - 4NoAAhJ
wetheT."
FISH AND OTHER FOOD.
Tie fish on hand was salt cod, which
proved TO be Of good quality and fresh.
What quality Uf fresh fish IS furnished"
Sometimes we have to send. it back"
said Cook Collins, land then we give them
salt cod, and they like ii better. Every one
on Friday eats fish, but-if they do not want
fish we give them an extra bowl of soup"
"WhU orders the fresh tSh?'
hut 4ho of TarTVa ~ r.,+
in season."
The specification requires that the fish
shall be fresh, cleaned, best in market, and
in such varieties as may be ordered, salmon,
sea lass, herring or smelt 10 season" From
the words OF the specification 1t is clear that
the contractor is required 10 furnish such
variety as may be ordered, but from the
words of Mr.. Collins il appears that the
matter is left to The discretion OF the con-
tractor, who may furnish sturgeon under
the name Of sea bass the year round if he
feels so Inclined.
In the storeroom there was a quantity of
groceries, including sugar, rice, pearl bar
ley, split peas, beans, golden syrup and
other articles that are called for in the con-
tract. These were all of good quality. free
from musty taste or smell, and came up TO
the STANDARD OF samples III the superin-
teDdenfs office. The tea furnished is a
passable quality. but the coffee, which the
specifications declare shall be Guatemala
fresh, green, first quality" fails TO come up
to the requirements and TO the sample in
the office. The sample is bottle OF large
clean berries, and which undoubtedly is of
the first quality, but the berries taken from
sacks opened by the representative show an
inferior quality from that exhibited as
sample. The berries are small and not as
clean as those IN the bottle. A sample sub
mitted TO a coffee expert without telling
where it came from or the purpose Of the
inquiry brought forth this answer: That
is second-ciass Guatemala, worth about ID
to fret nfa a
contract was let the price was Fixed at
10 1890 per pound
The storer0om contained a number of
articles that are not III the contract, such
As prunes. Worcestershire sauce, asparagus.
green peas and other articles that come
under the head of extras.
What do you use these prunes for? For
the hospitalY"
"Oh. no. said the cook, 'those are for the
officers table. and so are the peas and the
asparagus. Weget them once a week"
The representative was then taken TO the
vegetable-rOom and was shown the products
that are purchased from the contractors
when the farm does not supply them. Car
Tots were OF fair quality but turnips, which
should be best in Market" were as hard
as wood. and the information was volun-
teered that these were used only Tor soup.
NO ROAST MEAT.
While returning to the kitchen the re-
porter asked if the inmates are furnished
with I0asts. and he was informed they are
not, as il would be impossible TO roast meats
for nearly 800 persons, but the meat IS
cooked 80 as 10 be served up boiled, stewed
and as hash. Yet the dietary table pre-
seribed by the Board of Health. provides
that on Sunday the inmates shall have roast
mutton.
The wards occupied by the paupers were
found in Clearly condition, the mattresses
as good as desirable, the bedding clean and
up TO samples. In some of the rooms in the
female department there are accommoda-
tons for four, while in others there are two
occupants and ia some one. On this sub
ject the superintendent stated it is extremely
difficult to make the occupants keep tnef
rooms in order. Since Mr.. Weaver has
assumed charge be has not devoted so much
attention 10 the gardens and lawns as did
his predecessor. but be has greatly improved
the sanitary condition Of the premises.
The new building is kept In good condi.
ton and although it is but six years old it
already shows signs of decay. Some por-
tions Of the foundation have given way,
and in the center where the main stairs are
located the crack and bulging plastering
shows that the building Is settling. This
building. for which a good price was paid,
Is another evidence Of city work done by
contract.
CLOTHING MADE on THE PREMISES.
The clothing for the men and the women
Is made from goods furnished by contract,
and the work is done by the inmates. The
women, those who can, are required to do
All bne IepaltiDS VI CiutHSo that di HOiH ny
the inmates. The superintendent COM
planned of want of room to raise sufficient
potatoes and vegetables Ter the house, and
he also stated that If the city would obtain
its water supply from Spring Valley there
would be a great saving to the city in the
way of expense. The bread is baked on the
premises. the patches being 700 two pound
.loayes, which are divided into quarters,
quarter to each inmate at each meal, except
supper. The bread is Of good quality.
The inmates OF tue Almshouse are In the
malOLllY over 90 YeaIs of ara and are