Evening star., 1899-09-16
Dr.. Woodward Submits His Annual
Report and Estimates.
ASKSFOR INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS
Additions to Force and Advance
in Salaries Recommended.
TIL e GARBAG RVICE

DR.. William c.. Woodward, the District
health officer, to'ay submitted to the Com
missiOners his estimates of the expenses of
his department for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1899. together with a detailed
statement of the reasons on which he bases
his request for increased appropriations.
The salary of the health officer, DR.. Wood
ward recommends, should be increased
from 5000 to $1,000 per annum, and in
making this recommendation he states
that the population of the District has al
most doubled since 1878. when the present
salary of the head of the department was
fixed, and in justice to the medical pro-
fession he thinks the compensation should
be equal at least to that of the attorney of
the District.
With the growth of the health depart
ment it has been necessary to separate
more or less the inspection service from the
clerical work Of the office. 1t Is desired,
therefore, by DR.. Woodward that the officer
in charge of that service be designated in
accordance with his duties, as chief in
spectOr and be given a salary commen-
surate with the Importance of his position.
He thinks that if the services of such an
officer he provided there will be an i'm
provement in both quantity and quality OF
the work of inspectors generally. 1t Is
also suggested by the health officer that
as deputy health officer, so that there
may be a responsible head to the health
department during the absence from duty
of both the health officer and the chief
clerk
An Additional Inspector.
An additional inspector is asked for, at an
annual salary Of $1,000. This request is
based on the additional work imposed on the
health department by an act for the pre-
tl,a -od
February 2. 1899. and on the orders of the
Commissioners of January 20 and May IS.
1899, which entitle every employe of the
health department to thirty days leave
during each calendar year, exclusive of
Sundays and legal holidays.
With reference to the increase in work
which has resulted from the passage of the
smoke law, DR.. Woodward says nothing
apparently need be said, and so far as re-
lates to leaves of absence he states that
heretofore employees of the health depart
ment have not been able to obtain more
than fifteen twenty days, including IN
tervening Sundays and legal holidays and
that the increased absence which has re-
suited from the orders above specified has
had the effect of reducing the working
force of the department.
District Chemist.
Speaking of the amount of work which
devolves upon the sanitary and food In
spector, otherwise known as the chemist of
the health department. DR.. Woodward
says it is becoming greater and greater
each year. Much of it is Of the most diff
cult character. In addition to the work
which, strictly speaking, belongs to the
health department, much is done for other
bureaus of the District government. The
work of the health department consists of
analyses of air, water and food and drugs
of all kinds. The examinations for the
other bureaus have reference to the analy-
limit cd p
partment, the analyses of beverages sup
posed to be Intoxicating, and of foods sup
posed to be poisonous, submitted by the po-
lice department and by the attorney for
the District. and the chemical eXamina-
ton Of human viscera submitted by the
coroner from cases of suspected poisoning.
The present salary Of the chemist, S1,JOu
per annum, Is in no way commensurate
with the character and amount of the work
performed by him, and, after comparing
it to the salaries of government chemists.
DIR. Woodward recommends that 1t be IN
creased to 81. 500.
An increase Of $500 in the salary of the
chief clerk of the department is asked by
Dr. Woodward, and he also asks for an
additional clerk at $1,000.
Other Additional Employees.
Dr. Woodward also asks for an addi-
tonal laborer at the pound. at $3.50; an en-
gineer at the smallpox hospital, at $40; a
sanitary and food inspector to assist the
chemist at $500, and one who shall be a
veterinary surgeon, at $500. These addi-
tional employees are absolutely necessary,
SAYS Dr. Woodward, and speaking of the
additional inspector who shall be veteri-
nary surgeon, he explains that. in view OF
the distances which it is necessary Tor the
ins pector of live stock and dairy farms 10
travel and of the time often necessarily
consumed in making even single lnspec-
ton, and in the absence of any law resu-
!at.ng the hours of labor at slaughter
houses it is impossible for one man 20
perform all of such work in a satisfactory
manner Under present conditions the IN
spection of live stock and meat at the
slaughter houses is almost entirely ne
elected For this reason it is desirable that
such an additional inspector be provided.
Disposal of Garbage.
The current contract for the collection
and disposal of garbage and dead animals.
says DIR. Woodward expires the 3o;h OF
next June and he points out that 1t Will be
necessary, some time prior to that date. to
make new arrangements for the perform
ance of such work. The present contract
was made about five years ago. since which
time the population of the Dlstrlct, tne
amount of material to be collected and dis
posed CT and the area to be served nave
greatly increased. Experience under the
current contract has shown. TOO. that the
;ri-weekly collection service during the
summer season. which it provided foi some
of the more densely populated suburbs, is
not sufficient. Before the expiration of
any contract which may be entered into
now the population of the District, as well
as the territory from which garbage must
be collected. will have still further in
creased.
In view of these circumstances. DR..
Woodward recommends that the appropria-
ton for the collection and disposal of gar
bage be increased to $7O0oN stating that
he amount to be actually expen led for
this purpose will be determined after due
advertisement. so that II the work can be
done for an amount less than the appropri-
alton, it will necessarily be effected in that
way.
In order to enter into a contract for a
period of five years. gsation will be nee
essary. says Dr. Woodward. and he sub
mits the following draft of such legisa-
ton for the consideration of the Commits
sioners. g.
Draft of LeefslatiOn.
For the collection and disposal of gar
bage as follows: a. During the entire year
at hotels. markets and other like places.
to be designated by the health officer. daily,
including Sunday; (O From April Is to Oc-
both I,to x4J,,