Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-15
TAKING PRECAUTIONS HERE.

Distrfct Commissioner Douglass Consuits
with Secretary Foster About the Cholera.
While there 10 no semblance Of a choler
scare in this city there is an earnest and gen.
erai effort being made to keep both eyes wide
open Tor anything that muy have the appear
ance OF promissory pestilence.
he Treasury Department il seriously con-
s'dering the question OF imposing restriction
upon railroad t;nffc into Washington by way
Of New York city should there be any
further cases Of cholera reported In Gotham
Secretary Foster sent for District Com
missioner Douglass this afternoon and
talked over matters with him. He desired
especially 10 know the sanitary ar
engagements made in the White House
Lot. where sleeping apartments have been
erected FOR 2, 900 men during the q. A. r. en-
eampment. There il some question rs to
whether the local health officer Of Washington
has the power to establish medical
inspection Of passengers coming from
injected cities. or whether it 10 the
province of the general government II il is
decided. as seems probable, that this power rs
far rs the District of Columbia is concerned il
vested in the general government. then the uues-
tion OF medical inspection of passengers arriv-
ing from New York will be under the Immediate
lariSdiction Of Surgeon General wyman Of the
United States marine hospital service.
In view OF the coming &. A. r. encampment
government officials proceeding with great
caution. They recognize the fact that
II 1t should be necessary to issue
any special regulations against pas
sengers coming from New York the
enect would be very serious to the encampmcnt.
AZ the same time they appreciate the danger
that IL by any lack Of caution on their Fart "a
case of cholera should be introduced heee dur
Ing the encampment it might perhaps be widely
distributed from this center to other parts of
the United States.
WHAT COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS SAYS.
To STAR reporter Commissioner Douglass
this afternoon said: "All our sanitary arrange
ments are in good condition and
Improve hourly. The recent showers
have supplemented the sewer fushings Of
the past two weeks, and the result is complete
deieterious Hiors. There is full consultation
and perfect accord between the District and
United states officials. not because we
rear any approach Of the scourge. but because
we want to take all proper precautions. We
shall take the best care of every man. woman
and child in the District this week, next week
or any other week.
''should case of cholera appear we are pre-
pared to isolate 1t at once. and none of Us are
nervous, for We don't expect even one case.
NO one need be disturbed as To the school
houses and barracks which will be occupied
HeAs week Dv Tue Old veterans. num-
Der OF barrels OF disinfectants were
purchased today and have been
distributed where they will do the most
good. Refuse matter from the barracks will
either be removed ut once or buried six feet
deep in qucklime.''
HURRYING UP THE HOSPITAL.
The Commissioners today ordered the in
spector OF buildings to put all available men at
work repairing the smallpox hospital, which is
to serve as the hospital for contagious diseases.
This afternoon DR.. J. II. hewitt. who has been
placed in charge of the hospital, had a long
conference with Health Officer Hammett One
OF the wards of the hospital has been put in
habitable condition and DIR. hewitt says every
thing is ready for patients.
There were several runiors flying about the
city today to the effect that two cases Of cholera
had been discovered in the city. At the health
once DR.. Hammett said he had received no
reports of such Cases, and he hardly believed
they were correct. Should case occur his
office would be at once notified.
The Commissioners have notified all the rail-
road companies to side track any ears contain
ing sick persons until they could be examined
WARNING THE SANITARY INSPECTORS.
Health Officer Hammett has called the atten-
ton Of the temporary sanitary inspectors to
the necessity OF extra vigilance during the en-
campment week. The inspectors will be called
upon to make daily report. Dereliction Of
duty, the health officer warns them, will be
Followed by recommendation Of dismissal