Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-03
DEF ECTIVE SEWERAGE.
The Grand Jury Declares Congress to Be
Responsible.
The Results of the Labors of That Inn
portant Body-The Objects of the
Sanitary League Commended.

i"e 81 anu jury yesterday submitted the
following report to the Criminal Court:
III II was not that we presume the court
may expect to be formally advised as to
ehe result OF our examination into the "spe-
cial matter" with which we were charged
we would deem it uncalled for to continue
the custom Out a recent one we are in
1ormedD OF presenting a written report at
the end of our service. because the results
of most of the labor of the grand Jury are.
from time to time. presented to the court.
and thereby become a matter of record.
AS Indicative to some degree Of our dill
gence and attention to the duties imposed
upon us. We report that We have inquired
into 15s cases. found 134 true bills, pre-
scented indictments against les persons. ig-
nored "a cases, and in connection with
these examinations We have heard Alto
gether about $50 witnesses.
This grand jury has held lightweight ses-
sions. No session had to be suspended for
failure of the required number of jurymen
to remain present, although many sessions
extended beyond the customary hour for
adjournment nor was any meeting not held
because of the want of a lawful quorum.
Now as to the special matter or exami-
nation heretofore referred to. In May last
We were instructed by the court Justice
McComas) to examine into the health OF
the District" and while the scope of such
inquiry was not defined, We fairly under
stood that the court desired, in view of the
then near approach of our hot season and
the prevalent fear of a visitation or cpl
demic of cholera in this country during
such period, to take cognizance, through
the grand jury, of the sanitary condition
of the District of Columbia, and ascertain
what fragrant nuisances exist, IL any, i'm
periling the public health, or which would
tend to produce, introduce or extend. chol-
era or any other disease in our midst; and
also to ascertain what aid, II any, could be
rendered (within the province Of the grand
jury to eradicate such evils. or TO re-
quire or to assist the local authorities
to place the District in such sanitary con-
dition as would preclude, II possible. the
introduction here of any epidemic OF
disease. While We were impressed with
the importance of our charge, IL was,
however, deemed, with the knowlede OF
the court, unwise to open our door for
the reception of all character of complaints
and promscuous testimony, but We re-
stricted our examination to hearing those
specially charged with the administration
of our sanitary works and of our health
department, and further. to such advice,
complaints and suggestions as might be
ens-in the person of officers of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Sanitary League.
We had before us Capt Chas. f. Powell,
Commissioner, ID. c.: DIR. Chas. NJ. Ham
Perry. president, and DIR. Jno. S. Billings,
an officer both of the Sanitary. League.
OF the purposes of this league and the rep
resentative character of its membership
we are satisfied the court is well and favor
ably advised. Without extending this re-
port with detail of data and comparative
figures received by us as to the present
health status OF our people, or of favorably
presenting the great good in local sanitary
reform accomplished by the work and es-
pecially teachings Of the Sanitary League.
We believe II sufficient to inform the court;
that altogether. from the evidence and as
c,,r of the witnesses heard. this
Jury was sa tisfed that the District authori-
ties-especially through the health depart
ment-were alive to the possible danger and
We're doing all In their power and in reason
with the means at their disposaD to place
and keep this District in healthy condi-
ton and prepared, as far as possible. In
sanitary and other ways, to lessen all char
acter of disease. and to preclude the intro
duction or extensive spread of cholera or
any epidemic of disease.
Defective Sewerage System.
We are likewise assured and satisfied
that, with the exception OF our sewerage
system, there We're no fragrant nuisances
existing with which the District authori-
ties, in ordinary course, could not success
fully deaD requiring at least at this time
any action of this jury. We. however, re-
port that the condition of most Of the main
sewers of this District and their outlets
Is fragrant nuisance and a constant and
serious menace to the health and life Of
our people. This seems on all hands TO be
a conceded fact. for which the only relief
involves time and a large expenditure of
money: presenting a condition absolutely
impossible of remedy without the consent,
appropriation and direction Of Congress.
This is no new or sudden source Of appre-
hension in our community, but a matter
that has long called forth protests from
District Commissioners, but previous ones
and other authorities have urgently and
in detail Gin reports to Congress and to
Congressional committeesl presented the
deplorable condition of our present main
sewer system and prayed for the imme-
diate commencement OF adequate and prop
er remedy; but with the exception of some
small appropriation for extension or i'm
proving to some degree the present system.
Congress has so far failed Din our humble
iudgmenO to appreciate the situation and
apply the proper and required treatment of
this most important work, and IL is solely
responsible for this deplorable condition
and great danger to health. A full and ex-
haustive report on this whole matter was
made by specially appointed sanitary en-
gineers and transmitted to Congress by
the President Of the United States July IL,
1890 Oh. r.. 51st Congress, LIST Session, FIX.
Doc. No. 445). We would also note the fact
that Congress fails Din cur humble opinion)
TO do its duty in declining to make appro-
priation. as asked for by our District Conn.,
missioners. for fencing or otherwise pro-
tecting the banks of the uncovered portion
OF lne James 1Teek CdTdl Quiet. the pres
ent unprotected condition seems criminal,
as thereby. from accident or otherwise
some seven deaths have resulted within the
last few years.
Other Matters.
We cannot refrain. before closing this re-
port, to present that We are convinced from
one or more cases examined into by u.s. that
the ends of justice would be served IL al
the original deeds, deeds Of trust and other
recorded papers were retained and held by
the District and preserved in a SAFE fire
proof, and specially designed, building OF
repository, to insure their absolute safety
We further present that our experience as
jurymen has impressed us with at least the
desirability of the court prescribing some
simple rules" for the guidance of the
grand jury proceedings. and without tres.
passing on the time Of the court here with
suggestions in this line, We would merely
state that IL ii is subject on which the
court may hereafter desire any further ex.
PLANTATION or expression OF views from us
We will willingly present them. In conclu.
sion, we may not overstep the province OF
this report by suggestin, that, from GER
tain investigations imposed upon us, we are
satisfied fraud is perpetrated on many OF
our citizens (and to the injury OF Legitimate
institutions) by irresponsible and schemine
persons under the guise of various life &C.
cident, benefit and other insurance plans
which has emphasized to us the necessity
of a local supervision, provided with no,
only similar laws of requirement and fnan.
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