Evening star., 1897-06-02


the dissemination II knowledge-the mag
to be thrown open e tht people. % '
Ut, The movement 1pr t6e opening Of this
tion. and has been 4teadily urged upon the
attention OF Congress-. Ina report made by
the Joint COMMITTEES ON library, March 8,
lsN. appropriations are urged for the en-
that the library may be opened at night
for the. use OF the genefal public There
Is the building, there aSe the books; the
nght Is already provided for: all that is
mendations Of the library committee. With
this unqualified ind6rsenjent of the library
committee OF both houses Of Congress, we
are conndent that at an early date the nee
eseary appropriations will be made"
Health, Police and Charities.
The report on health. police and charities
was submitted by General 8. 8. Yoder, the
chairman of the committee, who said:
The three tnterests-police, health ana
charity-are of such vital Importance that
they should form the subject for separate
and distinct committees and reports. 1t is
impossible to do justice to three subjects
OF such vital interests in a ffve-minute re-
port.
During the year your committee has for
mulated a plan for the thorough and sys-
tematic organization of what is known as
the 'Provident Aid Association Of charities,
which. II 1t were once adopted and the ma
eninery therein recommended put in op-
would be solved. 1t contemplates the adop-
tion OF the only satisfactory plan and ef-
fective relief for our deserving destitute.
First: 1t brings an authorized agent in
son in our city.
Second. 1t is the only plan that will
separate the worthy from those who seek
to impose upon charitably disposed people,
w W. eyfVy xto ~
poor If satisfied that their charity was not
abused by giving to unworthy.
Third. Our plan provides for the per-
manent betterment of the conditions and
are not provided for by any other organi-
zation now providing for such persons.
Fourth. 1t would not cost the public
one dollar by taxation.
Police Problem.
while the police as a rule are as eff
cient and well disciplined as any in the
world, yet there is no city in the world
of the number of inhabitants and extent OF
territory that has not more policemen than
Washington. the nations capital.
IF each policeman would have to tra-
verse over all the territory assigned to
his beat. every time he goes on duty, as the
rules and police regulations require him
to do. in East Washington he would have
to traverse sixty miles every twenty-four
What we need, especially in East Wash
ington, Is an incrsase in the number of
men and a decrease in the number of hours
of duty for police officers.
Menace to Health.
'The greatest menace to public health
is the immoral, disease-breeding, filthy al
ley residences. More than SO per cent Of
all sickness and death can be traced, either
directly or indirectly, to the insanitary
conditions Of our alleys. Houses without
water closets or baths and out houses
reeking with filth are the curse of our
city.
Garbage System Criticized.
'Your committeelcalled,t the pubhcs at
tention more than ofrce to the fact that the
Commissioners selected and adopted sys-
tens Of cremation 6r the"Harbage especial
ly that known as the Smiths, which would
not be tolerated In any civilized community.
One year ago your tommAttee reported that
this system would be condemned before 1t
e n sy ane a a
transport the garbage down the river, as
they call 1t, when in fact 1t is dumped,
because it is monepin the pockets of the
when the plugs areopulled out of the bot
tom Of the scowsf than to cremate. 1t
is brought back bystne hext tide, to breed
disease and death Just as the dangerous
lates the contractors will once more 'trans-
port our filth. '3T.iz 49, it.rs
with improved alleys, decent disposal
of our garbage. a contagious hospital
complete sewerage system and the re-
clamation Of the Anacostia flats our beau
tiful national capital will be the healthiest
city in the world
Reclamation ProSress.
Mr.. Tracy L. Jeffords gave a detailed ac-
count Of the fight of the association for the
reclamation of the Anacostia flats. The
present status Of the case was the roonsid-.
Grafton by Congress of a joint. resolution
introduced by Senator Mcmillan, calling
upon the Secretary of War to make an
estimate for the Improvement of the Ana
fats He, ,thopgbt the outlook. for. favor
able action most encouraging.
, President Babson said 1t was b pleasure
to call upon the next speaker. He was
served the District faithfully for two
terms, and had been called for a third
term. It was the first time the association
had indorsed a candidate. He was the
choice Of East Washington-co Commissioner
Ross.
Commissioners Ross Remarks.
Mr.. Ross said he was a Capitol Hitler
and he was glad of it. He had lived In
this section for four years, and all of his
was bound to look after the interests Of
the entire District, yet he would see to 1t.
in the administration of his duties, that
the eastern section shall not be neglected.
He was glad to see the association had
reached such a respectable age as twenty
seven years. He was more than gratifed
at the business that had been transacted.
The time and consideration the business
men of the association had given to the
current topics Of the day was healthful,
and of the greatest benefit to the Com1nis-
sioners. Their views were always consid-
cred when public improvements were under
consideration, and welcomed as aids to
them.
At a recent meeting of the board of
Commissioners the heads of the several
departments were invited to send in es-
Inmates of improvements necessary. When
the Commissioners took them up for con-
sideration. 1t was found necessary. in or
der to meet the revenues. to reduce them
100000, and last year $1.OO0.OOO was cut
of of what the Commissioners deemed
necessary.
He urged the association to keep up its
good work and keep the national ca pitaI
the foremost Of the capital cities Of the
world.
Capt. Black Introduced.
President Babson, in introducing Engi-