Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-25
Report of the Intendant for Last
Fiscal Year.
The ESTIMATES OF FUTURE EXPENSES
Recommendation Made for Increase
Of Hospital Facilities.
THE CON ENT FUND


burgh, the intendant of the Washington
Asylum, for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1899, was submitted to the District Com
missioners today, together with a state
ment Of estimates for expenses during the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1901. These es-
Inmates aggregate 1921 ,615. 80, the principal
items being $68,3OO for contingent expenses.
based on daily average of 663 persons
supported in the institution during the past
fiscal year at 500 per annum; $4,000 for
continuing the erection of workhouse for
male prisoners, and $50 so for acquiring
title to squares NE. 1113 and S. E. 1114 for
the erection thereon of hospital buildings.
Mr.. Stoutenburgh reports a deficiency of
S2,S55.65 created by the increased price of
many staple articles of daily consumption,
and states that only imperatively demand
ed repairs were made during the year. The
outbreak of smallpox, although the expense
incurred in making provision for the care
of prisoners and extra guards was partially
paid from the fund appropriated for the
prevention of spread of contagious dis
eases, also caused considerable extra ex-
pense, which was made chargeable to the
contingent fund. thereby increasing the de-
ficiency created.
Hospital Department.
Speaking of the hospital department, Mr..
Stoutenburgh says that the most noted
improvement to the institution in recent
years has been the erection and furnish
ing of a nurses home building and the es-
taDlishment of a training school for nurses.
Work on this building was commenced last
October, and the home was completed and
first occupied by the pupil nurses June 2,
1899.
1.-The great demand" states Mr. Stout
enburgh, made upon this institution for
the care of the dependent classes, espe-
claly during the Indictment season Of the
year, gives cause for anxious thought as
to what is to be done to properly care for
them, and especially as to the hospital de-
partment, the facilities of which should be
increased a hundred beds in order to meet
the constantly increasing demands and to
enable US to sustain the record we have
for years worked to establish-that is, new
er to refuse treatment and shelter to the
suffering and afflicted who properly seek
our doors in time of need.
Il respectfully recommend that the title
to the four adjacent squares No. lib,
northeast 1113, No. 1114, southeast 1114 and
lying between 18th and 10TH Z and c
streets southeast fronting the hospital
grounds, be acquired by the District either
by purchase or condemnation addi-
ton to this institution, to be used for the
erection of suitable hospital building for
the care of the sick and afflicted INDECENT
residents of this District NV aim is to
make this portion of the institution purely
a charitable one; and a true charity hos
pltal should never refuse to receive and
Succor the afflicted
Proposed New Building,
Mr.. Stoutenburgh earnestly recommends
the purchase of this land and the erection
thereon of a hospital, saying that the de-
mand for additional hospital facilities for
the District are great and constantly in
creasing. Reference is made to the out
break of smallpox in the male workhouse
last February, and to the measures taken
to check the disease, all of which has been
fully reported in The Star.
The building explains Mr.. Stouten-
burgh, was crowded to the danger point
from December to March Z, ninety-one
days, and it seems simply wonderful that
we have escaped disease, contagion and
rio,s rs easily we have. 1t is true that
the ofi1cers have been prompt, courageous
and eflcient, and the medical staff pains
taking and watchful, examining each
prisoner closely as soon as received, thus
preventing any spread of infectious mat
ter or disturbance of the normal condi-
ton Of the house. The prisoners also have
seemed to realize the necessity of good
conduct, and have conducted themselves
remarkably we'll
The male inmates Of the workhouse"
the 1ntendant says, have been employed
during the past year as usual in grading
streets, teamwork, etc. A number were
also detailed to assist as helpers at the
carpenter and blacksmith shops, bake
house shoe and harness shop, paint shop,
Kitchens. stables and for general service.
District engineer department was furnished
with 23,63S days work of prisoners, 2.O2O
of officers and 2.10s of horses in grading
streets, alleys and roads of the District. A
gang was also employed at Rock Creek
Park, furnishing AN days work of pris-
oners, SO of officers and $40 of horses. A
small gang was employed for eleven days
at the bathing beach, and another one in
cleaning refuse from the streets adjacent
to the markets.
After the snow blockade last February
a gang was employed for ten days in open
Ing streets. cleaning snow from street
crossings and from the pavementS of twen-
ty-two public schools, etc.
Female Inmates.
1.-THE labor of the female inmates of the
workhouse has been utilized to the best ad-
vantage. Some have been employed in the
laundry, others in making and repairing
clothing and other articles necessary for
the use of the inmates of the institution
Details are also made to the almshouse
and different hospital wards of scrubbers
and cleaners, and also as assistants to the
cooks in the different kitchens. There were
22s,G2O pieces Of clothing, bedding. etc,
washed in the laundry the past year. and
1853 pieces repaired
Speaking of the almshouse department
of the institution, Mr.. Stoutenburgh saws
these buildings was 231, the 2sth day of
FEBRUARY, and the smallest number was
1SS, the 31st of May. The average number
for the year was 30. This gives he states
an idea Of the overcrowded condition Of
these buildings and shows the need of more
room for the proper care of these aged and
lnfirm persons, many of whom try to com
pensate the District for their maintenance
by doing such work as they are able to
perform. but by far the greater portion are
able to render no service at all, and MANY
of them have to be cared for as if they
were helpless children. The intendanf
therefore, recommends that two female at
PENDANTS, at $50 per annum each, be en-
ployed to assist in caring for these unfor-
tunate people
Labor Products.
Referring to the labor secured from the
inmates of the workhouse, Mr. Stouten-
burgh states the farm produced products
valued at $4,S05S6, and that the institution
should be credited to the amount of $40
96S.C2 on account of labor performed by it's
inmates during the past fiscal year.
The number of interments in potter's field
during the past year was rs. an increase
of 46 over the previous year. A driver
horse and wagon are kept especially for this
service, and are paid for from funds appro-
priated for the support of this institution
Church services have been held as usual
at the different departments each Sunday
during the year. conducted by members of
the different religious denominations, ex-
cept for a short interval last winter while