The morning times., 1897-01-28
SANITARY HOMES IN ALLEYS
A Report Made to the Central
Relief Committee.
PRACTICAL PLANS PROPOSED
The Formation of Stock Company
suggested Which Is to Build
Proper Houses That May Be
Rented Cheaply-Also the Insti-
tuition Of a Dollar Fund.

A well-attended session OF the Central
Relief Committee was held yesterday after
noon, at 4. 1 5 O'Clock, in the rooms OF the
board of trade, to hear the preliminary
reports of the committees on permanent
remef and sanitary dwellings for the poor,
and of the ways and means committee
Through its chairman, Surgeon General
SternLerg, the fIrst-named committee pre-
sented a report, embracing the tabulated
results of its Investigations, and recommen-
dations as follows:
.'Our Investigations show that large
proportion of the INDECENT population of
washington arehousedin tenements located
in the alleys OF the city; that many of
these alley houses are unfit for human
habitatiun; that q majority OF them are
not supplied with water, and have no
sewer connections; that typhoid fever and
other infectious diseases cause a coDsid-
cradle mort ality in these alley houses, as
result of such unsanitary conditions;
that the sanitary inspection service OF the
health department is entirely inadequate,
and that it Is not in the power of the
District Commissioners, or the health Of
ficer Of the city, to remedy these evils
under existing laws and conditions.
This state OF affairs is a disgrace to
the National Capital, and in our opinion
calls for legislation by tie Congress OF the
United States by which the District Com
missioners may be cnaEied to condemn and
destroy teneHents which are unfit for
human occupation, to condemn and pay
for buildings and ground required for tie
purpose OF widening alleys and opening
blind alleys, conformaUly to existing laws,
to construct branch sewers and introduce
water and gas so that sanitary tenements
may be erected in these minor streets or
alleys, which can be rented to the poor
as low or lower than are the unsanltary
dwellings now occupied by many OF them.
we suggest the following plan for the
organization Of sanitary Improvement
company; its objects TO be: To provide
sanitary dwellings, for the poor at reason
able rentals and wholesome food for the
poor at wholesale prices
The committee suggested plan for the
organization of the company. which was
adopted. This provides for the issue OF
5000 shares of stock at Slo0 per share
a capital stock Of $500 900, 10 per cent
of which will be called in at Cnce and be
invested in low-priced sanitary tencments.
The plan also grants to the directors of the
company the privilege establishing stores
| about the city, where eatables will be sold
to needy persons at wholesale prices and
for the establishment OF kitchens where
wholesome food will be cooked and sold at
| lowest possible rates.
The preliminary eport was adopted with
out amendment, though practical steps will
NOT ha "a lyaY ipt bp "a tpr ~ lv
| studied in every light.
A carefully prepared report from the
| committee on canvass, brought to light
| another plan, which has been devised by
that committee to insure TO the central
committee sufficient funds to pursue its
work OF relief among the poor, during
| the remainder of the winter.
| The committee recommended the found
| ing OF dollar fund.- and viii ask the
! business offices of the city papers to re-
ceive donations. Circulars and advertise
ments will he issued at once, stating the
purpose of the fund, and every effort viii
be made by the committee to get the
matter to the attention of possible con-
| tributors Quiet collections will be made
among the clerks of the various depart
ments, and the committee expects to realize
| Il large SUN l1Glil tue pidu DIS duOpteu
yesterday.
Chairman Fitch reported that 800 Cir
| cular letters had beenis TO prominent
! citizens, presenting the work of the com
| mittee and asking for donations. Re
ceipts from this source had been encourag g
ing, ard up to the present time, the com
mittee had been able to relieve all OF the
cases referred to them from the Associated
/ Charities This source of revenue, how
| ever, seems nearly exhausted and to sup
ply the treasury the committee suggested
the plan OF Dollar Fund.-" as a starter
| to the scheme, each Of the sixteen gentle
men present, contributed 81, and voteC
for its adoption, and immediate applica
| ton.
Those present We're Judge c. c. Cole
| chairman; Surgeon General Sternherg, Rev
| DR.. Radcliffe, Rev. Dr. Parsons, Prof. B, I
Janney, j. JOY Edison, Rev. Dir. Whitman
J. W Summerville, J. F. Cook, j. E. Fitch
Col Tracey, Rev. C. A. Smith, william r
| Woodward, Secretary George Wilson, Mrs
J. w. Babson, Mrs. H. B. F. MacF arland