Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-22
PLEAS FOR PASSES
Sanitary Office Besieged by Appli-
cants for Transportation.
OLD AUNfY'O UNIQUE PROPOSITION
Many Needy Persons Sent Away
From the City.
THE 1MPOSTORS REFUSED

rs this Mr.. Franks office?" inquired a
young man who called at the sanitary
Office yesterday to ask for transportation
This is where he conducts the business
assigned to him., the sanitary Off
GERS answer.
May l see him."
My name is Frank"
Asked what he wanted, the young man
said he had been under treatment in one
of the hospitals and had been discharged.
He then asked for a pass to his home.
The sanitary officer informed him that not
being a railroad official he was without
authority to give passes. and sought 10
learn more about the applicants state
ment. that he had been discharged from
hospital on SO bad day. 1t was ex-
planned that the doctor said he might so
home if he SO desired. The case was more
fully investigated and the young man was
sent out of the city.
AT this season of the year the sanitary
ofncer is nverrun with applications fer
transportation, and were he to grant every
request the appropriation made by Con-
sress would not last month.
There are many poor persons here who
are anxious to get TO their homes to spend
the Christmas holidays SAID the sanitary
officer to a Star reporter, and they seem
to have an idea that the fund at the dis
pCsal of this office is intended for them.
This is particularly true OF many per-
sons who have come here from remote
sections Hof Maryland and Virginia, but
such persons, OF course, cannot be given
transportation, for it would mean only
flee excursion to their homes and they
would find means to pay for their return
ticket.
In his annual report. recently submitted
to Major Moore. the sanitary officer dealt
with the subject of transportation.
What the Records Show.
He commented as follows:
1T is part of the duty of this office to
furnish transportation to worthy persons
found without means and liable to become
a charge upon the District of Columbia.
1t is within the legitimate field Of our work
to care tol this class, and upon Satisfac-
tory showing of their worthiness and hon.
esty of purpose they are provided with
transportation to their homes, or near
thereto as the funds at hand will permit.
During the preceding fiscal year trans
portation was furnished to GIG persons, at
an expenditure of $l1y9.H, and during the
year just closed go persons were trans
ported to their homes, or assisted on their
way thereto, at an expenditure of $1S23. %,
showing an increase of persons over the
preceding year, and an increase in the
ccst of $3.50 l will state in this cornec-
-
homes under police escort, at a cost Of
Sl2. making a total expenditure for trans
portation OF 81 5000.
The 92D unfortunates who were sent
on their waT rejoicing belonged to all
classes and conditions, and can be classi-
fled as follows: Males, Ito; females. DO:
" hite. 1GS: coiored. 1J2; born in the United
States. 40; foreign born 163. Many of
these persons were hungry and footsore,
having come from long distances and hav-
ing had but little food for several days.
The most distressing cases were those of
- oyster dredgers from the lower Poto-
mac. They told tales of terrible expert
enCeS and suffering. and their condition
spoke more plainly than words of the or
deal through which they had passed.
The records show an increase of twenty
two eX-soldicrs and sailors who visited the
pension office in reference to their claims,
and being without means to return to their
homes. finally found their way to this de-
partment. seeking TRANSPORTATION. am
also pleased to say that the figures show
a decrease of forty persons VINO came TO
this city in the search of private work.
and then had to seek aid from this office
to return home.
Usually sum Of $500 is appropriated
for the transportation of pauperS and priS-
oners. The amount is far too small, and l
would most respectfully and earnestly
recommend that the appropriation for the
transportation of pauDers be separated
from that for the transportation of prison.
ers, and that the sum of $500 be appro-
priated for the former purpose
1t is not an unusual thing for the sanitary
officer to have score of applicants for free
transportation during day. nor is it an
unusual thing for him to deny nineteen of
them. a certain sum is allowed each day,
and in dsbursing this amount preference
is always given to those who are sick and
destitute, women and children being given
first chance. AS is shown in the report
oyster dredgers from the lower Potomac.
claiming TO have bee n brutally treated. and
ex-soldiers and sailors here looking after
pension claims, cau2e the expenditure of a
large part of the fund.
Whole E'nmiliek. SOmeiim