Evening star., 1900-10-02
INTENDANf'S REPORT
Mr. st0utenburgght Recital of a Year
at Washington Asylum.
NECESSITIES STRONGLY POINTED OUT
Many Things Required at This
important Institution.
REVIEW OF CONDITIONS

Mr. w. H. Stoutenburgh. intendant Of the
Washington Asylum, today submitted to
the board of charities his report for the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1900, together
with an estimate OF the amount required
for the asylums maintenance, support and
improvement during the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1902
The total amount appropriated in the
current District appropriation act for the
maintenance and improvement Of the asy-
lum was s145,s52, and Mr.. Stoutenburgh' 8
estimate for the next fiscal year increases
this to $233. .353 an increase of 1890. In
explanation of his estimate Mr.. Stouten-
burgh says:
The total daily average number of per-
sons supported during the past year was
821." He recommended as previously. that
the contingent appropriation for the main
tenance Of the institution for the next fiscal
year be based on a ratio Of 500 for each
person supported per annum, making $o2 Wo
for contingent expenses. In view or the
innate is very low, and he believes 1t should
not be reduced.
For continuation Of the building for
male prisoners an appropriation OF SooVVo
is asked for.
For a central building to connect the
two wards in which the colored men OF
the almshouse are now housed $oo,oV Is
asked for. These old men are now housed
in two old buildings, used formerly LOT
the storage OF army supplies. they are
disconnected, without proper bathing or
water closet. facilities, and very much over
crowded: nearly the entire floor space pc
ing taken up with beds, making IL fmpos-
sible either to separate them into proper
classes or to care for or keep them In
proper sanitary and comfortable condltloh.
This building, he says. Is sadly neeoed.
Other Necessary improvements.
He also asks an appropriation OF $'o,OOo
for the erection Of south wing to the pres
ent alms-house building, for use OF the
white women. and to relieve the over
crowded condition Of the present builolng
With these contemplated improvements
completed. the institution should be able 10
properly care for the dependent class COM
fortably for several years without further
expenditure for buildings.
He also recommends that an appropriation
Of SIS, 600 be asked for the purchase OF sun
able ground outside the bounds OF the city
for the establishment of a cemetery Tor the
burial Of the INDECENT dead Of the District.
Attention Is called to the growing need
for a substantial increase In the number OF
guards, especially n for night duty, ana TO
shorten the hoursa of labor OF the overseer
and watchmen; and Mr.. Stoutenburgh rec
ommends that four additional overseers De
provided for this purpose. A central exec
medical staff of the hospital department
should be erected as soon as appropriations
can be secured, as the present puiiuns Is
entirely too small for the comfort OF the
staff, and Is unsuited for the purpose or
dispensary work or the reception OF pa.
tients or visitorsJ He recommends that
$4,000 be asked fer this purpose
Mr. Stoutenburgh. says there has been
considerable decrease In the number OF prls-
oners committed to the warehouse during
the past year, due probably to the revival
of business. Thei number received ourlIls
the year was 4.2l0. as compared with 4'ooS
during the previous year. a.,
There has been a considerable increase IN
the admissions to the almshouse and nos
pital departments. showing the need OF In.
creased accommodat tions for this class or
inmates. = 49, J.,
The labor of the male prisoners OF the
workhouse was utilized as In former years.
The most able-bodied and best workers
were selected for work on ROCK creek fark
and with the street grading gangs where
hired teams are employed Those having
mechanical trades assisted 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 were employed
on the farm and garden: the TRUSTEES In the
stables, kitchens and cleaning about the
markets The remainder worked with the
railroad gang on street grading. principally
on B street northeast, where substantial
roadway has been graded and built from
District.
Other Work and Good Conduct.
The labor OF the female prisoners was
utilized In the sewing room. the laundry,
the kitchens, and other domestic work.
1.-THE conduct Of the prisoners" says Mr..
stoutenburgh, both male and female. for
the past year has been exceptionally good.
Some little additions that he had been able
to make to the workhouse diet list. better
beds and more comfortable clothing. with
a careful and more humane watchfulness
of the guards, have. he believes, had good
effect on the conduct of prisoners. who.
vicious or otherwise, seem to appreciate
fair treatment.
The habitable buildings Of the institution,
states the intendant. are In fair state OF
preservation, and are kept clean and in as
good sanitary condition as their antiquated
and faulty construction will admit.
Receipts From the Farm.
The produce raised on the farm and In
the gardens during the year amounted IN
value to $6,376.9S. The proceeds from the
sale Of old material sold at public auction
under direction Of the property clerk
amounted to $19917.
The live stock on the farm consists Of
twenty-three horses. twenty-five COWS,
seven heifers, one calf, two bulls and 123
hogs.
There we're 663 coffins furnished for bur-
ial Of the INDECENT poor of the District, and
seventy used for the burial Of deceased In
mates of the Institution During the same
time there were 724 burials in potter's field.
Religious services were held, as usual. on
Sunday, both morning and afternoon, dur
ing the year at the almshouse and male
and female warehouses;. conducted by
members of the different Christian organ
izations of the District, and have been.
thinks Mr.. StoutanbngGh. the source OF
much good and pleasure to the inmates.
who appear to enjoy attending. as 1t tends
to break the monefony Of their otherwise
'oTf The work s' Of the medical stafr. under the
direction Of the :, visiting physician. D.
Percy Hickling. has, says Mr.. Stouten-
burgh. been entirely satisfactory. and good
results have been obtained.
July /. 1890. there were 218 prisoners In
the workhouse. 4.21O were committed dur
ing the year and Il, wers recaptured. total
escaped and died. leaving PAL in the prison
June 80. 1900. OF these there were 1.418
white males. ia white, females. 1904 col
ored males and eSS Solorsd females.
OF the 4.224 prisofers placed In the prison
during the year. 2. Jos Were natives Of the
District Of Columbia and 288 were Of for
eign birth. The remaihder came from the
different states and territories
The largest number Of prisoners were con-
,rf,<od ~ - dS.cf . ook