The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-28


DR.. William c. Woodward, the Health
Officer. yesterday submitted his estimates
of the several amounts needed for the
proper conduct of his Office fer the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1872, together with
a statement relative thereto. He says:
THE determination of the amount of
the appropriation to be asked for the
salary of the Health Officer is respect
fully referred TO the Commissioners. Thu
salary at present is s., 600 per annum.
with the growth of the Health De-
partment 1t has been necessary to s5p-
arate more or less the inspection service
from the clerical work Of the Office. II Is
desired. therefore, that the officer in charge
of that service be designated in accordance
with his duties as chief inspector, and be
given salary commensurate with the in
portance of his position. If the services OF
such an officer be provided there will be. il
is believed. an Improvement in both quar-
tity and quality of the work Of the in
spectors generally, as he will be able to
devote more time TO the supervision Of
such work than il is possible for anyone
now connected with the office to do. 1t is
desired that he be designated as deputy
health officer so that there may be re-
sponsible head to the Health Department
Health Officer and the CHIEF clerk. For this
position a salary of 81, SEQ is submitted in
lieu of 81 200. paid to one inspector.
IF provision be made for the proper
supervision Of the work of the inspectors
as above suggested, and for the enforce
ment of the laws regulating the sale Of
milk. the manufacture and sale of adul-
terated food and drugs, and the removal
of weeds, the number IF regular inspectors
can be decreased to thirteen; otherwise
fourteen should be provided as at present.
For these salaries So, eco is requested.
The work develying on the sanitary and
Good Inspector who acts under existing law
as inspector of live stock and dairy farms,
is of 4 special character and requires sae-
cial education and qualifications. In view
of these facts an increase in his salary of
from 81, eco to s1,500 per annum is re-
spectfully recommended.
'-The increase in the size OF the COM
naunity, the popularizing of knowledge rel
ative to sanitary matters. and the enact
ment Of new Legislation have all combined
70 increase the work OF the Health Depart
ment, and therefore of the work Of the
chief clerk and deputy health officer. An
increase in his salary of from $500 to
81 000 is respectfully submitted.
"A recommendation was made in the last
preceding estimates Of this department Cor
an additional clerk at $500 per annum. The
appropriation provided, however, for an ad
ditional clerk at $500. The Health Depart
ment has been fortunate in being able to
secure 4 competent clerk for the amount
appropriated. Justice, however, requires
that reasonable compensation be made
for his services An appropriation. of $500
is asked therefor.
Events during the past year have DEM
onstrated that 1t is impossible for the
pound service. as at present organized.
TO prevent domestic animals from run
ming ar large contrary to law II is de-
sired. therefore, that provision be made
for an additional pound wagon. In order
10 do this it will be necessary 10 provide
some responsible person to accompany
such additional wagon. An appropriation
CT $500 is respectfully asked for an as
sistant Poundmaster. for this purpose.
The Pound Service.
For the regular operation Of an addi-
tional pound wagon three laborers must
be provided, and If the various persons
employed in the Health Department as
laborers. drivers, etc, aye to receive the
annual leave with pay 70 which they are
entitled under existing regulations, an
extra man shoule be appointed 10 perform
their duties during their absence. II is
respectfully recommended, therefore. that
the appropriation for the services OF such
employees be Increased to s., $40.
Provision is made in the current ap-
preparation act for one sanitary and food
inspector, a veterinary surgeon, at a
salary Of $500 per annum. The amount of
this salary was fixed in accordance with
the recommendation of the HeaSh officer,
in explanation of which It was stated that
1t was believed il would tend TO improve
the service of the Health Department II
new employees were appointed at smaller
salaries than heretofore. and such sala-
ries increased from time TO time as The
services of such employees warranted In
the present instance. it is recommended
that the salary OF this inspector be in
creased from $500 to $1,000. Should his
services continue satisfactory, recommen n
dations will be made for further increase
hereafter.
I'm compliance with resolution of
the Senate. the Health Department. on
NAV ie, 1880, submitted a statement of the
legislation needed to secure a proper con-
troll of the milk supply of this District.
The proposed legislation necessarily pro-
xided for an increased inspection force.
the increase being estimated at three
sanitary and food inspectors to collect
samples Of milk and 10 assist in their
ANALYSIS, and three veterinary surgeons
to have supervision over tEe>dairy farms
in outlying districts. The recommends
tion that such inspectors be provided with
compensation at the rate of $500 per an
mum is respectfully renewed. It is pro-
posed, however. that the local inspectors
be charged with the enforcement OF the
laws regulating the manufacture and sale
Of adulterated food and drugs generally.
instead of limiting their work TO opera
lions under the milk law
THE act TO prevent the spread OF con-
tagious diseases in the District Of Column
bia, approved March 3. 1897, refers almost
exclusively 10 Asiatic cholera. fellow
fever, smallpox, typhus fever, CHAMBERS
the plague, and leprosy. These dis
eases do not ordinarily prevail. Provision
should be made, however, for their prompt
restriction If introduced. The expense OF
work In connection with any Of these
diseases is always considerable. in view
Of the fact that it involves danger OF
contracting the diseases, and requires
most persons engaged in II to be quar-
antined. A standing appropriation OF
s25, 800, for the specific purpose of en-
forcing the act mentioned, is respectfully
requested.
''Cnder an act TO provide for the drain
age of lots in the District OF Columbia
approved May 10. 1886, many box privies
have been done away with. a large part
of shcse which remain are on property
belonging TO noB-residents, who cannot be
reached by ordinary process. In order to
reach such cases the Commissioners have
been authorized by the act referred to &c
cause the required improvements to be
made and to recover the cost by assess
ment against the property improved. The
expense Of such work in its entirety will
be considerable. 1t is deemed better, how
n tot frn