Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-31

| of sixty-fve million American people. The
| effect has been very beneficial aud has stimu-
lated national pride in the growth and pros
perity Of the city.
In brief Washington is entering upon a net
era OF Developments and prosperity, and will
during the coming few years eclipse the CAPT.
tai cities Of all other nations.
NEED OF A DISTRICT BUILDING
highly important report was made by Mr..
Thos. Somerville for the committee on public
buildings:
The most urgent need Of the District Of Co
lumbia is a municipal building which will &C.
commodate the various departments Of the
local government under one roof, Of character
portance of the national capital. The rented
building now used for Municipal purposes ID
utterly inadequate to accommodate the force OF
clerks who are now employed
| For the past six months the inspector of
plumbing has sought to obtain sufficient room
for his desk and for the public who have occa-
sion to visit his Office; but be has been COM
PEELED to encroach upon the already limited
space allotted to the building inspector, to the
great inconvenience OF both officials and Of the
| public.
! 1t is now practice for the Commissioners to
give public hearings to the citizens Of the Dis
| trict upon all matters of public interest.
| These hearings are held In small room, badly
| lighted and illy ventilated, and wholly un-
suited for the purpose for which it lie used.
| The attorneys for the District the health Off
Ger and the police department are Of necessity
| CHARTERED in rented buildings remote from the
| central Office. The building occupied by the
police department IL in an unsenitary condi-
| ton, and has not space sufficient to accom-
/ modate the force or the public.
The embarrassment arising from the separa-
/ ton of these important departments of the
| local government from the Office of the Com
nlissioners cannot be overstated. The provision
for chemist in the current appropriation bill
| for the detection Of authorizations in milk pro-
| ducts, &C.. compelled the superintendent of the
| street-sweeping department to vacste the quar-
tiers heretofore assigned to him in the health
ONCE. and he is temporarily provided for in
| rented room in the Gunton building. The dis
comfort suffered by taxpayers on the last DAYS
of every month in being compelled to stand in
line IN a dark hall where draughts prevail is
known too well to the citizens of the District
For these unsuitable accommodations the Dis
! trict pays yearly rental of S6.19o.
| Aside from considerations based on public
necessity 1t would seem that the capital Of the
United States should be provided with NUM-
eipal building in which our people would feel a
just pride. Representatives from other cities
and from foreign governments constantly visit
our city seeking information with regard to our
system OF public works, &C., and they uniformly
express surprise at the character of the quart
assigned to the local government
The District owns large lot fronting on
Pennsylvania avenue between 9TH and 9th
streets northwest. which was set apart and
devoted for municipal purposes. Nearly every
line of public conyeyanees in the District
reaches this Locality directly or by transfer.
The erection Of a suitable fireproof building or
this lot will greatly add TO the appearance of
the south side of the atenue. and would be in
furtherance of the proposed plan for the
exclusive use of that part of the city for public
buildings.
Il IL believed that. with united effort on the
part of tine board CT trade and of our people
generally. Congress NAV be induced TO provide
at least an appropriation for the preparation of
plans and specifications for a municipal build
ing TO he erected on said lot or other suit
able lot.
Your committee recommend tina. the board
OF trade take immediate action with a view of
securing such az appropriation for the best
Plan fcT tireproo! building to cost not less
khan eJ00.0J0
The health of the city was discussed in a
comprehensive report submitted by Mr.. T. l..
Moore, the chairman Of the committee on
public health.
-HE PUBLIC HEALTH.
There is cause for congratulation in the fact
that our city has been comparatively healthy
during the past year. We have not suffered as
many sections OF laud from epidemics and our
death rate has not differed materially from
former years. unless for the better.
The city of Washington has all the material
advantage which healthful location can give
and the generous plan upon which the city il
projected-in its broad avenues and wide
streets-should. III the nature of thiues, add to
the advantage which our location gives. These
fact are especially emphasized since the filling
IN and reclamation OF the river fats. This
work has removed Che chief menace 70 health
growing out OF our location.
The dangers which threaten the health of our
city are those which threaten asrapidly growing
community. when well-known sanitary precau-
lions are either neglected or inaGequateiv pro-
yicet, but while IN the past we have much to re-
gret IN both these respects, we are thankful that
no serious disaster has overtaken us. This i'm
Elunity from serious epidemics thus far how
ever, should rot -.Iil us into Indifference or 70
neglect Of many important, we should say
urgently Important, measures, If We would
preserve the health OF ths capital OF the nation
and saiVe of pestllence.
The action Of the Commissioners IN prevent
ing the building Of homes in narrow allevs 0.
our city Is eIalneutly wise, and should be ad-
hered To-. The her'ling of people, white or
black. III sucn close quarters will inevitably
lead 20 dirt and disease. Ii is in the interest
of health and mortality 10 continue this wise
restriction.
We are not limited in the matter of room.
Our suburban lands are now easily accessible
by the extension Of our street railway system
and healthful homes can be secured at moder-
ate cost sufficiently convenient to business CEN
tCrs.
here are three great subjects affecting the
health OF community and they are all I'M
portant in providing for the health of every
city. and especially one growing SO rapidly as
our own. These subjects are sewerage, garbage
and water supply. Faulty or insufficient sew
erage, In whatever section OF our city it may
be found; garbage. in whatever part of our fair
city II Is left to tester: inadequate supply of
water TO clean sewers and other foul places,
viii eventually be followed by the same result
disease-ihaI may at any time become epidemic
There are three places in our city that most
seriously threaten the safety and health of this
community, and that call for prompt and'he-
roic measures. They are Rock creek, Eastern
branch and the James creek canal. Many OF
/ oar law makers and executive officers now
recognize the seriousness of the situation and
problems involved in these dangerous streams
From heGlthful streams of pure water our
sewerage system has converted them into foul
and dIsease-breediIg cesspools. Against q
continuance of this condition of affairs the
people are now vigorously protesting. This
community, In self-protection, now demand
that the negligence indifference of the past
on the part of the powers that govern US shall
cease, and that such improvements will give
immediate safeguards against the dangers from
, there breeding grounds of disease shall be
made.
NECESSITY OF LEGISLATION FOR ROCK CREEK.
/ In the matter OF Rock creek a thorough in
vestigation has been made and elaborate reports