Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-26

from Secretary Smith, although the Provi-
dence Hospital has acceded to the Commits
soners' request and the Children's Hos
pital has promised to take the matter I'M
der advisement. So the whole matter must
rest in allegiance until an answer is re-
eeived- but the idea that the Commission
ers are contenpla ting using the ward at
Freedmens an a contagious hospital to the
exclusion of the others is an erroneous one.
Another Plan.
It has developed today that the Com
missioners have under Amusement
scheme which they think will prove the
hest solution of the whole problem. Their
plan is to have as many different con-
tasieus wards, as possible, and to assign a
Particular disease to each one. Thus, one
hospital would be expected to treat all
cases OF scarlet fever, another diphtheria,
and SO on. The Commissioners made a
visit to the Freedmen's last Friday, AMI
found that the proposed building, as it is,
STANDS too near to the hospital. and espe-
eially to the operating rooms, which would
be a special objection
The building is Of frame and not large, so
that 1T could be removed without any great
difficulty to point more remote from the
main buildings.
Next Thursday afternoon, after their In
spectlon of the new school building in
Southeast Washington. the Commissioners
are planning to make a visit to the site of
the proposed smallpox hospital. plans for
Whlcn nave already been prepared and ac-
cepted.
The exact location which win probably
De selected Is point southeast of the Jail
and beck Of the stables, and sufficiently re-
moved from all other buildings to make 1t
absolutely safe. 1t is on rising point of
ground near the river bank, and consider
ably to the south of the structure now used
as a hospital.
Done In secret.
The Commissioners took exceptions to
the fact that The Star spoke yesterday of
the opening of bids for curbing as behind
closed doors, and implied that this act of
the Commissioners in their official capacity
was performed in secret. In this eonnec-
ton bit Of recent history may not be out
OF place. Thursday morning, March IA,
bids were opened for the photo-ithograph-
ing OF the new plat book of the District.
RMS was Just after the issuance of the
now Famous exclusion order, and prior to
that time when bids were opened not only
the bidders and reporters of local papers
were present. but also representatives Of
most of the trade journals. On this occa-
sion all but the bidders were refused ad-
mittance, and message coming from the
Commissioners was 10 the effect that the
press would be acquainted with the name
of the successful bidder when the con-
tract was made.
Commissioner Truesdell was out last
evening with a statement that mot sin
gle suggestion has been made or suggested
concerning the revocation or modification
of the order concerning the communication
OF news to the press, yet 1t Is today claim
ed that the opening of bids yesterday was
done in public and not in a secret session,
which can hardly be regarded as anything
else than practical, If unannounced. modi-
fication of the order.
The first clause of the Commissioners
own rule says that all official acts of the
Commissioners will be promptly" given
to the press by the secretary of the board.
The bids were opened yesterday before
noon, and certainly no information was
given out as to the bids or the names of
the lowest bidders at least until after 5
o'clock.
While the obnoxious order has not been
rescinded it is generally believed that one
Of the Commissioners Is not in favor of
the strict enforcement Of the rule, as 1t
is now worded. and that he would be
only too glad to see 1t modified in some
of its more Objectionable features. 1t is
understood that II the matter has not been
put to vote it has at least been fnfor-
mally discussed. and that all Is not har-
mony on the subject.
While it is not claimed that the Commits
soners have actually taken sides in the
matter. 1t Is the accepted opinion that they
stand divided as to the merits and beauties
Of the new system.
There was nothing startling or In the
least interesting today in the beautiful
yellow calf-bound letter book-the repor-
ters' best friend In these days Of trial and
the Commissioners to a man who wanted
to borrow or buy some picks and shoveis
with which to plant trees near Harper's
Ferry, w. Va
The Commissioners informed the arbor-
culturfst that they have no authority to
lend such tools. and they do not sell, except
when the articles have been condemned as
past their days of usefulness