Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-25
THE POLICE COURT CELLS.
Sanitary Inspectors Think It Wonderful
That Men Can Live in Them.
Result OF the Ofheisl Ipspeetion-The Com
ments in 'sThe STAR Sustained.

"Some measure should be devised to i'm
prove the sanitary condition Of the cells at
the Police Court, as humanity demands
that even the poor violators of the Jaw
should have allotted to them the blessing
or breathing pure air"
This Is the conclusion arrived at by the
sanitary inspectors detailed by the health
officer To make an examination OF the I'M
sanitary condition of the cells at the Po-
lice Court. the bad condition of which were
first pointed out in The Star. 1t will be re-
called that shortly after the attention Of
the public was directed to this ma tier
Judge Kirnball wrote to the Commissioners
requesting that steps be taken to alleviate
the sufferings of the prisoners during the
hot weather. as the cells were both made
quate as to size and deficient in regard to
ventilation Shortly after Judge Khnbali 3
letter Judge Miller wrote to the health Of
building and cells of the Police Court be
made as soon practicable, with view
TO ascertaining their present san,tary eon-
airy measures were needed TO advise the au-
thorities of the character of the same Ac-
inspectors osmun and Shepherd to look
into the matter carefully and report 10
him without delay.
The Inspectors Report.
This report was submitted to the Com
missioners today. and is as follows:
I'VE have the honor to present the fol-
lowing special report relative to inspec-
ton of cells connected with the Police
Court building. These cells are unsuitable
for the purpose intended The number is
Insufficient. they are too small and are
without ventilation. There is no fresh air
afforded excepting that which can gain &C
cess through the grated doors. and this is
contaminated by the Impurities OF the
surroundings. Into these cells are crowd
ed the poor unfortunates who are of neces-
sity required TO breathe this fouiatmosphere
drinking the tepid Potomac water. ~
49,, AZ the time OF this inspection, although
the air was 50 perceptible as to be almost
nauseating. II this is so when the cells
sio occupied BY two or three their ts eond
crowded. and IL is wonderful that human
beings can live in an atmosphere so pollut-
ed Some measure should be devised to
manity demands that even the poor violat-
ors Of the law should have allotted to
them the blessing of breathing pure air"
The Health Onicer's Comments.
In forwarding this report to the Commits
8ioners DIR. Hammett says that there APP
pears to be an insufficient number Of cells.
and that those now in use are too small
and without ventilation. and the air in
these crowded cells is impure. unsanitary
and dangerous In the interest of human
ity he thinks something should be done to
relieve the sufferings Of the unfOrtunateS
who are compelled to occupy these quarters
several hours at a time.
The Building Inspector to Examine.
The Commissioners are very much in
terested in this matter and are determined
to do everything in their power to bring
about better condition of affairs The
building Inspector will be directed to pro-
coed to the building in question in COM
make a thorough examination of the con-
dition and report at once any recommen-
cations looking to correction of the evils.