The times., 1900-12-30
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Health Officer Wants Money
for Smallpox Service.
A Statement to the Comnsissioners
Relative 10 Spread of Contagious
Discsses-sums Required to iinin-
tain Present observation-disclosures
On the Carnegie Library Building.

DR.. William c. Woodward, the Health
Officer. has forwarded to the Commission
ers a statement calling attention TO the
present status of the appropriations for
preventing the spread Of contagious dis
eases. He Informs the Commissioners
that on February 2S,. 1929, Congress ap-
propriated by joint resolution $50 600 for
the prevention of the spread of contagious
diseases. notably smallpox. This appro-
priation, he states. is now practically eX-
hausted. and from and after the present
date all expenditures in the smallpox ser
vice. with few unimportant exceptions
viii have to be made from the appropria
tion which is officially designated as the
appropriation for preventing the spread
of scarlet fever and diphtheria and from
the emergency fund.
The Commissioners are further informed
that the appropriation for the prevention
OF scarlet fever and diphtheria Tor the
current year is SO, coo, of which 81. 465 re
mains uneXpended. The approximate
daily cost of the smallpox service states
DR.. Woodward, lis now 500. and that of
the scarlet fever and diphtheria service
sl3. From the present time. therefore, the
daily expenditure from the balance stated
above win be about $l1S and the appro-
priation will be exhausted by March ,,
1901
THE emergency fund for the present
year is SS,G00 OF which there now remains
available a balance of about $500. II
there be no further expenditures from this
fund before the appropriation for prevent
ing the spread OF scarlet fever and diph-
iberia AID the emergency have been ex-
hausted. that is before March next and
the expenses OF the smallpox and scarlet
fever and diphtheria services be paid
from, 1t will be exhausted by April %.
1901. OF course, if other emergencies
arise the expense of which has to be
paid from the emergency fund, it will be
exhausted sooner.
after the approprist tion for preventing
the spread of scarlet fever and diphtheri
and the emergency fund have been eX-
hausted, if such condition were allowed
to arise the District would be without
funds for preventing the spread of the
diseases mentioned or other contagious
diseases. and without an emergency fund.
In order 10 prevent this ! respectfully
recommend that an appropriation of
2J,000 be asked for preventing the spread
OF contagious diseases in the Deficiency
bill about to be submitted 1t is OF
course, impossible to estimate with any
degree OF accuracy the extent to which
the major contagious diseases, notably
smallpox, will prevail here between the
present time and the end of the current
fiscal year, but, in view of the preYa-
lence of the disease in the surrounding
country. II is not likely that smallpox
viii be extinguished. The amount speci-
fled above is, however. believed to be
ample to provide for the continuance of
smallpox at its present rate AMI for a
possible increase as The result of the in
fux of a large number of visitors to at
tend the inaugural ceremonies. TO permit
the maintenance of the scarlet fever and
diphtheria service at present organized,
and TO preserve intact the existing bal
ance in the emergency fund for such emer-
geneies as may arise.
''Of the $1,000 appropriated for the dis
injecting service. sl,49466 had been ex-
pended on December l. II the expense
continues at the same rate as heretofore
the appropriation will be exhausted early
in May. In order, therefore, that the
service may be maintained throughout the
year, and to enable the department tC
provide such additional apparatus as may
be needed in the service, either in addi-
tion to or to replace that already on
hand. l recommend that an appropriation
of 81 ,09o be asked in the proposed De-
fciency BILL
The Washington Public Library Com
mission visited Mount Vernon Square yes
terday afternoon for the purpose of OBJ
serving what progress had been made in
the work of constructing the new library
building being erected with funds donated
by Andrew Carnegie. All the members of
the commission were present, including
Commissioner Henry B. F. MacfarIand,
Con IL.
sing H Beach. District Engineer Commis-
sioner; Mr.. Theodore W Noyes and Col.
Theodore A. Bingham, Superintendent of
Public Buildings and Grounds.
Mr. Bernard Z. Green, Superintendent of
Construction was also present and ex-
planned to the members of the commission
just what had been accomplished The
foundations were completed last summer
Masons are now setting the granite OF the
basement walls and have three courses in
position already. Mr.. Green stated that
he believed the building would certainly
be completed by the spring of 1902 The
time limit mentioned in the contract The
commission was highly pleased with what
was learned regarding the structure.
Donald Mcpherson. of 1902 New York
Avenue. recently requested the extension !
of the sidewalk on Seventh Street Ne
trOpOlis View" north to the Bunker IIin /
Road and south to Central Avenue. His
request also included the grading OF
streets and alleys intersecting herewith |
and the paving of alley entrances. He
also asked that gas mains be laid through
Seventh and other streets OF said sub-li- |
vision
The application was referred TO the En-
gineer Department and after examination
OF the locality it was estimated that tie
cost of the improvements asked would
amount to Sl.0l1.
The papers in the case were then fer
warded 10 the Engineer Commissioner by |
the Computing Engineer. with the recon- !
mendstion that th~ portion Of the work I,
lying between Keokuk Street and tn, Bum |
ker Hill Road be included in the next list |
advertised for objections under the az |
sessment system. The Computing Engin- |
Ger stated that his recommendation was |
based upon the consideration that the |
construction described will connect the 4
existing walk with the street car line and (
the sidewalk on the Bunker Hill Read |
He states further that the portion Of the !
sidewalk extending from Galena Street 10
Central Avenue is not recommended for |
present consideration. in the absence OF |
Il request from owners of abutting prop J
crty for the reason that IL does not cen |
meet existing improvements nor abut on I
improved property. The Computing En- /
gineer also advised that the applicant he !
Informed In accordance with these recon- /
Iaendations.
This action was approved by the Com |
missoners. and in advertising the i'm
proyement objection was made to the lay |
ing Of the sidewalk by r. W. Walker & |
Son.
After further consideration the Comput- |
.ag Engineer again reported to his chief |
that he had had an Interview with the Oh