Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-06
A Main Part Of Sanitary Officer
Franks Work.
WATCHING MANY VISITING CRANKS
Sending Stranded People to Their
Hcmes.
HIS NNUAL REP ORT


ing, as it does, the work of the charity
bureau of the department. In this, of
course, is included discussion of the SUI
ject of hospitals and transportation to the
homes in all sections of the country of
deserving poor people. Then, too. insane
cases, ircluding the so-called presidential
cranks come under the sanitary officers
direction. Speaking of this point the re-
port says:
THE year just closed has proved to be no
exception as to the number CT impostors,
tramps and cranks who have endeavored to
force themselves upon this office, seeking
the aid or relief that is intended for the
worthy sick and INDECENT.
Worthy Poor.
'In the lawful administration of the af-
fairs of the Office have always considered
the paramount object OF this charity, or
beneficial bureau of our police system to
be the amelioration of the condition of the
worthy poor and destitute sick of the Dis
trict of Columbia; and with this end in
view 1 have Investigated each application,
endeavoring, if possible, to 'winnoW out.
as it We're, the chaff from the corn. Per-
haps some unworthy ones have obtained by
false representations the aid intended TO be
bestowed upon the honest poor man out oil
employment, but willing to work. During
the past severe winter | have been called
upon to witness many sad sights. A large
number of persons seeking transportation
to different points called. Some were SICK,
others lame, and most OF them were With
out any funds whatever. In addition to
those who were anxious to go to their
former bones, there were persons seeking
admission to the various hospitals, and IN
many cases the applicants were more In
need of pourishment and place to sleep
than they were in need of medicine. In
deed, l have reason to believe that many
poor people who applied for hospital per-
m;ts did so to get a home for few days
where they would get food and shelter
Claimants and Crnnl<s.
Further along the report says:
II am pleased to note a decrease in the
number of ex-solders and sailors who have
come to this city in reference to their pen
sion claims, and, becoming stranded in our
midst, have sought through this office trans
portatio to their homes, in many instances
quite remote. During the past year this
number embraced ninety-five persons of
this character, a decrease of twenty-five as
compared with the year preceding. Many of
these unfortunate men were imprudently
attracted to the capital by the delusive
prospect that their claims would be imme
diately adjusted. It is of common knowi-
edge that the national capital is the center
of pensioners and others who come here to
prosecute their claims, real or imaginary.
and it frequently occurs, by reason of de-
themselves stranded in our midst without
money or friends. perhaps many miles from
home. 1t is within the legitimate field of
our work to care for this class. and upon
satisfactorily showing their worthiness and
honesty of purpose they are provided with
transportation to their homes, or as near
thereto as practicable. But it is only by
the most thorough investigation of each in
dividual case that we can satisfactorily and
legally establish any such claim upon this
charity.
Il looked forward with hope that would
be able to record decrease in the number
of cranks who frequent our city with their
deusve ideas. but in this l regret to say l
am disappointed. Fourteen persons of this
character were sent to their homes or
friends during the year Just closed. while
the preceding year the same number was
disposed of in like manner. This class Of
persons are the most troublesome with
which we have to deal, coming here, as
they do, from all parts of the country, and
in some instances from Europe. Soon after
the elections throughout the United States
last autumn the so-called presidential crank,
who thinks he has right to run affairs of
state. began to appear. He wants to see
the President, of course, and incidentally
although the rightful owner of millions or
claimant thereto, he Invariably wants as
sstance from the chief executive. These
individuals have all kinds of decisions and
Authorizations, and frequently 1t requires
the most persuasive influences to induce
them to return whence they came Just
how or when they come to this city no one
knows; they generally room in some small
lodging house. and, as rule, say very lit
tie about their affairs until taken in custody
by the police"
Two important points are discussed by
Mr.. Frank, as follows:
The Insane.
1T is pleasing to note even small de-
crease in this class CT persons with whom
We have to deal. The number of persons ad-
mitted to the Government Hospital for the
II sane during the year was POI, decrease
of six as compared with the previous year.
OF this number, tWenty-Seven are individu-
ais who came here from other states or
cities, and because of their violent or strange
Conduct in the streets were arrested by the
police and, after proper examination by
the police surgeons, were admitted to the
insane asylum as nonresident INDECENT in
sane persons provided by section 1850 of
the Revised Statutes of the United States
OF this class eight were females. These per-
sons were dangerous to be at large, and as
they could not give a correct account of
their place of abode, it was necessary to
care for them at the government hospital
at the expense of the District. l am pleased
to say, however, that eight of these unfor-
tunate persons have recovered and We're
furnished transportation whence they came
Il have in several former reports urged
the Importance and necessity of providing
some suitable place of detention for the al
leEed insane that come into the custody of
this department where they could be under
the observation of physician. 1t frequent
ly occurs that cases of alleged insanity
caused by inebriety, and others of tenn
pcrary nature, are brought to our attention
that it would be hardly proper to admit at
cnce to the hospital for the insane nor are
they fit subjects for an ordinary hospital
Such persons should be detained until it
could be definitely determined as to the
proper disposition to be made of them. 1
am convinced by experience in dealing with
such persons that my recommends tons in
fclmer reports are all important and 1
again urge my suggestions that ward or
rooms he assigned for such cases at the
Washington Asylum Hospital. 1 desire
again to express my. thar ks for and appre-
citation of the continued kindness and con-
sideration of DR.. w. w. Godding, the able
superintendent of the Government Hospital
for the Insane, and to his corps of efficient
assistant physicians for the valuable sery-
ices they have rendered this department in
dealing with this dangerous and unfortu-
nate class.
Inebriate Asylum.
Permit me to renew again, and if pos
sible with stronger emphasis my former
recommended tons looking to the establish
ment of an asylum or hospital for inebri-
of ha trna tr,a Of