Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-25
WARNED MONTHS AGO
Congress Told About the Conditions
at the Workhoase.
need OF new BUILDINGS DETAILED
Crowding Of the Inmates Danger
Gus to Health.
THE COMING INVESTIG CATION

The resolution introduced by Mr. CALM
ger and adopted by the Senate yesterday
providing for an investigation into the con-
dition of the Washington Asylum has caus-
ed great interest in the affairs of that in
stitution, which is declared to be crowded
to a disgraceful extent.
This condition Is net one of very recent
development. In the report to the District
Commissioners of the intendant of that
institution for the fiscal year ending July
80, 1893, it was shown that additional ac-
Communications were greatly needed An ad-
ditional wing to the asylum building was
asked for, and it was estimated that In
order to build it. an appropriation of $50, 900
would be necessary, this recommendation
having been made in previous reports
Need of the Building.
Speaking of the needs of this building,
the intendant said:
THE building asked for in giving esti-
mates is for the colored women of the
almshouse, and Is very much needed, as
during the winter months the present build
ing is very much crowded. AS many as
seven beds are at times placed in one small
rncm. Nearly all of these old women are
unable to go up or down stairs. They are
carried to their rooms, and there re-
main until again carried out. They would
be infinitely more comfortable in a low
plain building, with wide porches where
they could be put out in the open air in
pleasant weather In the present condition
great danger of serious loss of life exists in
case of fire, as it would be impossible to
get them out If fire should make any head
way in their quarters. l ask your approval
of and interest in this subject upon humane
grounds, knowing that it will add much to
the comfort and safety of all the inma ties
Of the almShouSe.
'''TIp of the cOloraI
the Old Mems Home, consists of two
e-story buildings, formerly used as mag
azines by the government, and have been
made into suitable quarters for this class
of inmates, and as they have been crowded
to their utmost capacity for over year
suggest that an additional story be added
to one of them. There are at present eighty
men cared for in these two one-story build
ings, and this class of inmates is rapidly
increasing. and it is almost impossible to
discharge one of them when once here, as
they are either old and helpless or cripples
who are unable to work, and have no one
to care for them"
WOrkhouse Too Small.
OF the male workhouse department he
said:
This building is entirely too small for
the proper housing of, SO great a number of
prisoners. During nearly the whole of last
winter men were doubled in the beds, tenn
porary bedsteads were put in the halls, and
from twenty to fifty prisoners were obliged
to sleep on straw beds on the floors of
basement rooms and Railways The con-
struction of this building is bad, and the
plan is the worst that can. be conceived for
IL prison, namely. the congregated cell
plan. No two prisoners should ever be con-
fined in the same CELL while here the cells
planned for six to twelve each, and
often as many as eighteen are kept in a
single cell. l therefore recommend that a
new workhouse be erected for the male
prisoners, and that the present building be
repaired and used as receiving ward for
the hospital department and an overflow
for the colored men of the almshouse,
whose quarters must be enlarged | beg
leave to quote letter addressed to your
honorable board, dated March Is last, on
the condition of this building:
IL beg leave to call your attention to the
state of the male workhouse at the present
time. Today there are 346 prisoners con-
fined within its limited space. On the 2ith
instant there were 352 prisoners, all male,
ranging from twelve to seventy-three years
of age: 15S of these were white and 194
colored.
The house was constructed with PC
cells or rooms for prisoners with ZIG beds
in tiers of three de, one above another),
the floor space being found too small TO
allow beds to be placed side by side. One
corridor was fitted with ten beds. tenn
porarily, making total sleeping accommo-
dation for 226 persons, leaving 126 prison
Der, 81 were doubled in beds three feet
wide. 10 are sleeping in the hallway or
with beds on the floor. and 30 are kept in
the basement hallway cells and drying
rooms, with beds on the floor.
Delay Characterized rs Dangerous.
Through your honorable board the at
tention of Congress has been called to the
very inadequate provisions made for this
class of prisoners, but no appropriation for
l.
arrived when further delay is dangerous to
the health safe-keeping of these prison.
ers. I earnestly urge that such steps be
taken will result in either very large
addition being made to the present build
ing, or, what would be far better, an entire
new structure be erected. The present
building is faulty in construction and S1tua-
ton. The plan is the very worst that could
be devised for the proper keeping of prison.
ers-i. e., congregated system The present
congested condition is detrimental to health,
comfort, order, discipline and safe-keepins.
With slight alterations this building would
, make suitable quarters for the male in
mates of the almshouse, which also must
have added space, as both white and col
o1ed quarters are now crowded to the dan
ger point. l therefore recommend the con-
stIuction of new Workhouse for males
back from the street front, and also the
alterations needed to make the present
building useful as an overflow for the bal
aLce or the ms titutlon. "
Investigation to Begin Soon.
The condition at the Washington Asylum,
as shown above, is said to have grown
even worse. The committee the District
of Columbia will begin it's investigation into
these conditions at an early date. and many
who are most earnestly in favor of having
the institution placed proper basis
hope that relief may be secured without
further delay. :
Smallpox Among PueblOs.
SANTA FEl, N. NJ, January 25.-Late in
formation from Zuni pueblo in western