The times., 1899-02-22
$4,000 With Which
TO Fight SMALLPOX
The Money Promptly ApprO-
priated by Congress.
How the Comm ssiOners Settled the
WOrkhOuse Problem.
The Health Office Plans It's Crusade
House-to-House Inspection in
Crowded Districts.

Prompt action was taken By Congress
yesterday On the request OF the District
Commissioners for an appropriation of
$50, 600 to be used in preventing the spread
of smallpox in Washington. District Com
missioner Wight visited the Capitol short
ly after the Senate convened. and present
ed to Senator Mcmillan, on behalf of the
Board of Commissioners, draft OF a joint
resolution and letter dealing with the
local smallpox situation. The resolution
was almost Immediately introduced by the
Senator, and it was favorably acted upon
by the upper branch of Congress before
Commissioner Wight had left the Capitol.
Later in the day the resolution was adopted
by the House.
The major portion of the communication
presented to the Senate by the District
Commissioners was published verbatim in
The Times yesterday morning. The con-
Guiding paragraphs of the letter dealt with
the outbreak of smallpox in the District
wOrkhOuse, where there are four hundred
prisoners, and was prepared during 4
board session al the District Building yes
terday morning. lasting several hours.
This meeting was one OF the iengthiest
that the District Commissioners have ever
held, exclusive of the sessions at which
the annual budget OF DlStTlCJ estimates
were considered.
Every phase OF the workhouse situation
was reviewed. The idea OF renting build
ing for the Incarceration of new prisoners
sentenced in the Poiice Court was abau-
doned. 1t was finally decided to use the
upper floors OF the present female work
house for the detention of prisoners while
the workhOuse proper is in quarantine.
The female workhouse is about 1000
yards distant from the quarantined build
ing and is beyond the danger line OF
smallpox. With an expenditure of about
$4,000 this structure can be fitted with ac-
commodations for 100 prisoners.
The WorLhUusc Problem.
That portion of the communication sent
to Congress by the Commissioners which
dealt with the conditions in the work
house read as follows:
The discovery OF cases Of smallpox nmony thf
inmates of the workhouse renders it impo>sibl,
to commit any more prisoners 10 that building
II has also been deemed mcNpedient to permit
the guards and other employees ot the asylum
grounds to leave the premises until the peIioC
shall have passed during which any possible
contagion may have developed. The duty there
fore deyolycd upon the Commissioners to pro
vide some other building for the detention o
prisoners sentenced 10y the Police Court during
the time that such prisoners cannot safely be sent
to the woTkhouse.
The female workhousc of the Washington
Asylum is situated sufficient distance from th,
workhousc to avoid any danger OF contagior
therefrom. The Commissioners have ascera aimee
that certain changes can be made in the female
workhouse building by the erection OF partition.
which will enable them TO accommodate about
100 prisoners in that building. Some new iurni
ture will be required, and some additional guard
IN lieu OF those quarantined in the NAL,
workhouse must be employed.
| The Commissioners have estimated that Abou