The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-03
PLANS FOR EXTENSIONS
Annual Report From the Washing.
ton Asylum Submitted.
A Daily Average of 621 Persons Sup
ported During the Yenr-ImprOvc-
ment and Enlargement of Build
fngs-Hov the Labor of the Work
house Is UtiIized-The Expenses.


the Washington Asylum, yesterday sub
mitted to the Commissioners his report
of the operations of the asylum for the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1900, to which
is appended a statement of the appro-
priations required for the proper conduct
of the institution for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1902. He says in part:
The total daily average of persons
supported during the past year was 621.
l recommend, as l have previously done,
that the contingent appropriation for the
maintenance of the institution for the
next fiscal year be based on a ratio of
500 for each person supported per an
mum, making $50, 100 for contingent ex-
penses In view of the prevailing high
prices for produce this estimate is very
low. and should not be reduced
For continuation of the building for
male prisoners on the plans now in your
Office an appropriation of $4,000 is
asked for.
For central building, to connect the
two wards in which the colored men Of
the almshouse are now housed, an ap-
preparation of S35, coo is asked for. These
old men are now housed in two old mag
azine buildings, used formerly for the
storage of army supplies. They are dis
connected, are without proper bathing or
water closet facilities, and very much
over-crowded; nearly the entire floor
space being taken up with beds, making
il impossible either to separate them
into proper classes, or to care for or
keep them in proper sanitary and com
Portable condition. This building is sad
ly needed, and l trust your honorable
board will urge upon Congress the neces-
sity for its erection.
Il also ask that an appropriation of
S35, 600 be asked of Congress fer the cree
ton Of a south wing to the pres=n Mt aims
house building for use of the white
women, and to relieve the overcrowded
condition of the present building. Its
present congested state should be re-
lieved at once. With these contemplated
improvements completed. the institution
should be able to properly care for the
dependent class, who seek its shelter,
comfortably, for several years. without
further expenditure for buildings.
II also recommend that an appropriation
of 1000 be asked Of Congress for the
purchase OF suitable ground outside of the
bounds of the city for the establishment
of cemetery for the burial of the indi-
gent dead of the District. The sentiment
against the use of any grounds within the
city limits for burial purposes is very
strong, and / think perfectly proper
therefore earnestly urge upon your hon.
orable board such action as Will best
facilitate the establishment OF such burial
grounds in a proper locality beyond the
city limits.
81 beg leave to call your attention to
the growing need for a substantial in
crease in the number of guards for this
institution, especially for night duty, and
IN hours of la Ilor- of he oypr-
seer and watchmen, and l recommend that
four additional overseers be provided for
this purpose. 1t is also very desirable
that a central executive office and build
ing for the use of the medical staff of the
hospital department should be erected as
soon as appropriations for its construction
MAJ become available. The present build
ing used for this purpose is entirely toe
small for the comfort of the staff, and IN
suited for the purpose of dispensary work
or the reception of patients or visitors.
recommend that $4,000 be asked for the
erection of suitable building for this
purpose.
The report contains a detailed state
ment of the several amounts required for
the coming fiscal year aggregating $685.
353.
Decrease of workhouse Prisoners.
There has been considerable decrease
in the number of prisoners committed To
the workhouse during the past year. due.
probably to the revival of business, which
has furnished employment TO many who
otherwise would contribute TO filing this
and similar institutions throughout the
country. The number received during the
year just closed was 1910. as compared
with 1852 received during the previous
year.
while the number OF inmates of the
workhouse department has somewhat de-
creased, there has been a considerable In
crease in the admissions TO the almshouse
and hospital departments, showing the need
of INCREASED accommodations for this class
of inmates.
The labor of the male prisoners OF the
workhouse has been utilized as in former
years. The most able-bodied and best work
ers have been selected for work on Rocl
Greek Park, and with the street grading
gangs, where hired teams are employed
Those having mechanical trades assist the
carpenter, painter, blacksmith baker etc.
timers and plumbers under charge of the
engineer and shoemakers and tailors in
their respective shops. The old and infirm
are employed on the farm and garden: the
TRUSTEES In the stables, kitchens, and clean
ing about the markets; the remainder are
grading. principally on B Street northeast
where a substantial roadway has been
graded and built from Fourteenth to TWEEN
ty-frst Street east without cost to the
District.
This work entails considerable expense
to the institution for keeping Of horses
pay Of driver for the dinner wagon, repairs
Of tools. cars. care Of shoes, clothing. etc
The labor OF the female prisoners has
been utilized in the sewing room, where
all clothing Of the inmates OF the aims
! house. hospital, and workhouse are made
/ and repaired. Also in the laundry, where
! the whole clothing and bedding of the en-
! ployes and inmates of the different depart.
/ ments of the Institution are carefully Iaun.
! dered. The number Of pieces Numbered dur.
| ing the year was 235, 527. Details of womer
ATE also made daily to the kitchens in the
( different departments TO assist the cooks
I and for the cleaning of beds, floors, wood
I work, windows, etc.
1.-THE conduct OF the prisoners. both nal,
| and female, for the past year has beer
exceptionally good. and the number who
have been released on good conduct GER
| tificates will be shown in the Statistical
| tables attached. Some little addition tina
| j have been enabled to make to the worl,
house diet list, better beds and more
| comfortable clothing, with careful ant
more humane watchfulness of the guards
has, believe had good effect on the con
! duct of these prisoners, many Of whom
are of the very lowest and most viciou,
type. while others are more unfortnnat,
than criminal. Yet all seem to appre.
ciate fair treatment. II more prison
guards could be induced to think for ;
moment and use the motto Put yourself
In his place. better results would he OBJ
| tanned in prison work.
'In compliance with act of Congress,
| approved March Is. 1890, allowing ny.
|