Evening star., 1900-05-02
THE PENAL INSTITUTIONS
NEW SITE ADVOCATED BY EAST
WASHINGTON CITIZENS.
Resolutions Adopted by Association
Last NiEht-Street Railway Fa-
cilities Discussed.

1nere was Well-atlenQeQ meeting OF the
East Washington Citizens Association last
night and several matters of Importance to
the eastern section of the city were dis
cussed. At the conclusion of its session last
night the association adjourned until the
first Tuesday in September. This is in ac
cordance with the established rule of the
organization not to hold meetings during
the summer. Should any matters of i'm
portance arise during the recess they will
be attended to by the executive committee.
The meeting was given up for the most
part last night to the considera ton of ways
and means for removing the Jail and work
house from that section, and the speeches
which We're made during the consideration
OF this subject demonstrated how earnest
the residents We're in the matter.
The first subject of interest to be rea ched
under the call of committees was contained
in the verbal report Of Mr.. NJ. /. Weller,
from the committee on street railroads
Chairman Weller described how materially
the railroad facilities in East Washington
had improved during the past few years
and spoke of the failure of the Anacostia
and Potomac River railroad to operate its
cars in accordance with the charter He
explained how this matter brought to
the attention of President Truesdell of the
road and of the assurances he had received
from that official that the Improvement of
the road would shortly be taken UP in ac-
cordance with the general plan of the
Washington Traction Company.
The Penal Institutions.
A discussion Of the Objectionable penal
institutions located in East Washington
was brought up through resolutions offer
ed by eX-President Babson. In his remarks
supporting the resolutions he spoke of Inc
poor of the city domiciled in the almshouse,
and said there was no good reason why
these unfortunates should be housed away
the banks, together with the
criminals and slums of the city. 1t was his
belief the removal of the almshouse should
take precedence over the others.
Other speeches were made during the
evening by several of the members. all con-
tending earnestly for the removal of these
institutions. During one of the speechcS II
was pointed out that large appropriations
were available for the improvement OF
these Institutions and it was urged that
the expenditures shall be made for tenn
porary structures. and not in maintain
iEg the permanency of the buildings by
the erection of new ones. After tle sun
iect had been thoroughly discussed the res
olutions offered by Mr.. Babson We're unani-
mouSly adopted. They were to the effect
that there is now uneXpehded OK olsulcI
of Columbia funds the sum OF Sh.hn APP
plicable to the erection of an iron and brick
addition to the structure of the Washing
ton Asylum. making, with the $JoNt) addl-
tiCnal given in the District of Columbia
appropriation bill now pending. the sum OF
s1G0 U1O now applicable for this purpose
The present site is not only unfit for
further occupancy by reason of its present
proximity TO the smallpox hospital and to
the potters field. in which many as
115 bodies We're buried in the last fscal
year-these burials being within a very Inn
tied area and so many as five bodies IN one
grave.
The prolonged occupancy of the present
site for the workhouse the Jail and aims
house uses is n needless injury to all the
property interests of the eastern section or
the city.
"Our association hereby respectfully but
earnestly appeals to the committee of Con-
gress on the District Of Columbia and to
the Commissioners Of the District of Column
bia that pending the necessary removal to
more eligible sites of all these institutions.
no additional permanent structures OF brick
be erected for them as proposed, but that
instead only buildings Of frame. ample for
present needs, but temporary III their chaf-
acter lie erected
The chairman was authorized to appoint
appropriate committees to whom shall be
intrusted the task in behalf of this associa-
ton of pressing this matter, including the
removal of all the institutions, upon the at
tcntion of Congress and of the Commission
ers of the District of Columbia
Committee Named.
In accordance with the resolution President
Smith named the following committee to
look after the matter: Thomas G. Smith, NJ.
l. Weller. j. w. BahsOn, N. G. Ordway, A.
Whitney, J. E'inncy Engle and Il. Il.
Earnshaw This committee will meet the
committee on charities and corrections of
the board OF trade this afternoon for the
purpose of receiving its Endorsement Of the
plan. and later will appear before the Com
missioners.
Before the meeting adjourned the atten-
ton of the association was called to the
fact that the rotunda of the Capitol was
not opened until 9 O'Clock am. 1t used to
be the rule 10 throw open the doors much
earlier and pedestrians took advantage Of
the snort cut through the Capitol to so
west. 1t was also stated that the building
closed earlier these days. and caused the
residents of East Washington much incon-
VcnienCe. The executive committee Will en-
deavOr TO have the matter remedicd.
The offer of the Columbia Historical So
ciety to preserve the records of the assO-
ciation was referred to the executive COM
mttec.
Votes Of thanks We're offered during the
evening to Senator Chandler, President
Smith. Secretary Spcrry and Treasurer
Clark for their earnest endeavors in behalf
| OF the association during the past.