Evening star., 1896-09-18
Some Items.

Speaking of some items the report says:
"The building asked for in giving esti-
mates Is for the aged colored women of the
almshouse. and is very much needed as
during the winter months the present build
| ing is very much crowded, many as seven
beds being at times placed in one small
rC ON.
Nearly all of these old women are unable
| to go UP or down stairs. They are carried
| to their rooms. and there remain until
again carried out. They would be infinitely
| more comfortable in low, plain building.
with wide pOrches. where they could be
put out In the open air in pleasant weather.
In the present condition great danger of
serious loss of life exists in of fire, as
1t would be impossible to get them out "
| fire should make any headway in their
quarters. ! ask your approval and interest
in this subject upon humane grounds.
knowing that 1t will add much to the com
fort and safety OF all the inmates of the
almshouse.
Il have submitted an estimate of $500
i for the completion of the steam heating
plant for the hospital department, for
| which an appropriation of $1,000 was made
| by the last Congress. The lowest bid for
| said plant being about $500 in excess Of
appropriation. without taking into consid-
GRAFTON the cost of the building to be
erected. 1 therefore recommend that the
$1,000 be reappropriated, and that 81 800 ad-
ditional be appropriated to complete the
| work"
Il again submit my former estimate for
| a vault In potter's field. 1t would seem but
| proper that some place should be provided
gers and others dying In the city where
they could be held for Identification
| by friends before burial. 1t would
also be a great convenience to the general
| burial service. as frequently the wagon is
| late III returning by reason Of long trips.
| and in severe storms 1t would be available
| for the reception of such bodies as are
| brought from distant parts of the city,
Work of the Men.
| According to Superintendent Stouten-
| burgh. the number of burials in potter s
field during the year was 7S5. Speaking of
the work accc mplished by the prisoners
| at the work house. the report states: THE
male prisoners have been employed prin-
| cipally In grading streets. &C.. In various
| parts of the District and have performed a
| large amount of work for the benefit of
the public for which there were no other
| funds available.
In detail the report cites the different
| work done by the several gangs of men
under the direction of the engineer de-
| partment. One gang has been employed
in grading 10Th street east from street
south, filling up the gully on D street north
| of the jail and making roads in the neigh
borhood Of the new smallpox hospital. An
other detachment has graded streets across
the Eastern branch, while third has been
engaged in grading streets in the south
eastern section Of the city and is now at
| work on Massachusetts avenue southeas st
between 10Th street and Lincoln Park. One
gang has been employed in digging tree
holes for the parking commission princi-
pally in the northeastern section of the
city. During the months of April and May
they were at work cleaning out the big
sewer which empties into the Eastern
branch. Another gang was employed from
November last in grading PENNSYLVANIA
avenue and Water street southeast and at
work at the bathing beach and at the big
sewer. A small gang was engaged during
the year in cleaning the streets adjacent
to the markets. The male prisoners not
; ed in cultivating the farm and at work In
the shops. According to a table. officers
} men and horses have accomplished during
| the year work estimated at the followine
| values: Grading streets, 81, ,6O4; cleaning
streets. $59S In the shops, the farm
| in laundry and in sewing room 1872 20
making a total of $35.7745O. A large
amount of clothing for use Of the inmate.
was made by the women prisoners Pro
duce to the value Of $3.311.2O was raised
on the farm and consumed by the inmates
Other Matters.
} Continuing, the report states that dur.
! ing the year the new ward for the col
ored male patients at the hospital depart.
ment, for which an appropriation of $4OO(
was granted, was completed The build.
\ ing has accommodations for twenty-five
beds for patients. and was first occupied
December q. 1895. A number Of other i'm
: provements made on the grounds are de
, tailed at krgth.
, The rerort says. further: II would cal
attention to the number Of further hear
ing cases sent to the work house awaitin,
trial. During the past year this numbe
: was 1919. and the custom seems to be on tn
increase. AS these persons cannot be uni
formed CT disciplined. they are a constan
source Of annoyance. Owing to the defect
i've structure of the male work house, n,
separate quarters can be provided for them
; and 1t Is hoped that other ways Of provid
, ing for this class may be found.
, twenty-five inmates Of the asylum hav
: been transferred to st. Elizabeth's Insan
Asylum since the last report.
THE appropriation of $4,000 for gradin,
streets. alleys, ETC.. by inmates Of the in
stitution was expended for that purpos
under direction Of the engineer department
The $500 set apart for the relief of the poo
was expended in the purchase of lumbe
, and material for the manufacture of cof
fins. The $500 appropriated for furnishin,
new ward was expended in furniture an,
bedding for that purpose.
Church services, both morning and af