The evening times., 1900-01-12

A report by John A. Frank of the work
OF the Sanitary Office made to Major Syl-
yester, shows the value and efficiency of
the force. By far the most important
branch of the sanitary service of the Dis
trict lies in the transportation of worthy
persons from the District to their homes
in other parts of the country when they
arrive destitute in the District.
The year was very light one with re-
| gard to cranks and other unfortunate per-
sons who make it their business to come
to this city to settle imaginary grievances.
only eight of such cases being recorded in
the Office
During the year S99 persons were fur
nished with transportation to their homes
or as near as practicable at an expenditure
of sl,797.97.
The S99 thus aided are classified as fol-
lows: Males, 637; females, 262; white, 759;
eelored, 14O; native born, us; foreign born,
ISL. OF those transported, 60 were ex-
soldiers and sailors, % less than in 1898.
In the course of his report the Sanitary
| Officer says:
Several of the disappointed and penni-
less soldiers were lured here by the hope OF
procuring immediate action on their claims
| for pensions while others with only
! imaginary claims against the General Gov
| ernment were attracted to the capital by
| delusive prospects of securing large gains.
| And thus it is that many are unwittingly
! thrown upon the charity of the District
/ government. Ii is, indeed, matter OF serl-
/ Gus regret that a large number OF soldiers
who apply for pensions fail to understand
! that Congress has considerably provided
| for the collection of these gratuities with
! out the presence of the claimants in this
| city
During 1898 forty-one oyster dredgers
appealed to this office for assistance after
I undergoing hardships and being subjected
TO ill-treatment on vessels engaged in
/ dredging for oysters, while for the year
] Just closed ifty-four applied for
aid The entire hfty-four were in
such condition that there was need
of immediate assistance either in the
way Of hospital treatment or transporta-
tion.
while the number of such unfortunates
increased, the number of deserted wives
! decreased The statistics show that in
1895 thirty nine women were deserted by
their husbands in this city, while during
the past year there were twenty eight,
decrease OF eleven.
! Il respectfully ask an appropriation OF
So 0O0 Tor transportation Tor the fiscal year
1901
There were 4.04O persons sent 10 The
several hospitals, 300 more than in 1898
Many persons made application for hos
. pital treatment merely 10 obtain rest and
,s-;~ 10 usgE Z I %
! 10 carefully investigate each case.
1T is with sense OF high appTe 1iation
that | record that those in charge CT the
various hospitals have invariably treated
this Office with the utmost courtesy and
consideration. Also permit me TO express
appreciation for the valuable assistance
rendered by the Columbian University and
/ Georgetown University Hospitals, recent
! ly established.
There were 22S insane persons properly
tried and admitted to the Government
Hospital for the Insane during the year,
| while the number provided for in the same
institution last year was 269, a decrease
Of Al. My attention is frequently called TO
cases of temporary insanity, not subjects
for the ordinary hospital, but whose con-
dition would scarcely justify their being
sent 10 the Government Hospital for the
Insane. There should be for such cases a
house or place Of detention other than
stationhouse. ] would respectfully renew
! my former recommendation that suit
able place be provided for such persons at
the Washington Asylum. Ny experience
! from year to year has convinced me that
this is a very important recommendation,
and one that should meet with favorable
consideration.
The work Of the ambulance branch Of
the police service continues to increase.
the number of calls responded 10 during the
| year being S,019, an increase Of 2lS. OF
| the 9,079 runs made 2S4 were unnecessary,
! or no service rendered, 81 more than last
| year. / am sure that much of this
unnecessary work could be avoided if
! proper discretion was used by those
making the calls.
Il again commend the faithfulness and
promptness of the drivers. and respectfully
| recommend an increase in their compensa-
| tion from $3.50 TO $500 per annum. These
men greatly appreciate your efforts in their
behalf, and hope for your recommenda-
tion for the desired advance In their salary.
Il also recommend the purchasing of two
| ambulances, similar to Nos. and now
in the service. and the appointment of an
additional driver, so that there may be at
least one man in the ambulance barn at
all times during the day, subject to emer-
| gency calls.
Il again urge the establishment of a
| hospital for inebriates. Ii is well known
that the evil of intemperance exists in this
| community, and an institution for the de-
tention of inebriates is greatly needed
/ believe that if Congress creates such an
institution, it will have accomplished a
work equal in all respects to the most hu-
name and beneicent ! am sure that such
an asylum or home would exert re-
| straining influence"
The Pride of Washington Heurichs MaerZen
| D. H. Il IL lAoro