Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
SANITARY oMceR's REPORT
HIS STATEMENT-OF OPERATIONS
THE PAST YEAR.
Work OF the Hospital and the Ambu-
lance ,,ekeeommenaa-
lions Submitted.

lions Submitted.
2dgI
Mai. Sylvester haE Deceived the annual
report of Sanitary, Of4cei Frank for the last
fiscal year 1t shows that a larger amount
of work done last year than was done
during any previous year inr the history of
the office. The SAINT Dry -offioer renews his
recommendations of former years concern
ing the care of inebriates and suggests that
they be cared for in The proposed municipal
hospital. -. =, q
Speaking of the matter of transportation
the report says:
This part of the work assigned to the
sanitary office constitutes no inconsiderable
portion of its operations, and it is evident,
from the number .qf. applicants and the in
4 consistent Ieasonings. the primary object of
this fund is not understood. 1t should be
known that the appropriation for transpor-
tation is intended alone for the worthy and
destitute who are liable to become charge
upon the District Of Columbia This part
of the work consumes more time and
quires more thorough investigation than
any of the other work of the office calling
for an expenditure of public funds.
/ During the year transportation was fur
niShed to 913 persons, at an expenditure of
s1,97 10. as against $50 persons, al cost of
A,791.97 last year, showing an increase of
fourteen persons and Stab in expense: In
addition to this, there was one dangerous
or insane person. returned under police
escort to her home, at an expenditure of
| $11.3O, making a total expenditure for
transportation of 81 9S3 40.
THE number thus benefited includes
eighty-fve ex-soldiers and sailors, who Wis
tied the national capital in the interest of
their claims for pensions, an increase of
| twenty-five of this class the preceding
year. which, I~thtIIx, can be readily at
tributed to the late war with Spain.
The Ever-rresent Crank.
1.-The crank Is seldom absent from our
| midst. At least one every month of these
individuals, with imaginations of grievious
wrongs, makes his presence known. Ten
persons of this character have been pro-
vided for and sent to their homes curing
| the year, an increase of two over the year
| 1899.
The number who obtained transportation
to return to their homes. or a part of their
| journey thereto, who came here seeking
| work is 30, an increase of Al over the pre-
ceding year Many of this unfortunate
class were hungry and footsore and We're
in need of food, that 204 were furnished
with meals.
Il am pleased to note a decrease in the
number of distressed oyster dredgers. Only
% who suffered abuses and i'll treatment
| on the oyster boats of the lower Potomac
| and Chesapeake bay appealed for aid, show
Ing a decrease of rs compared with the
year 1899. There was also a decrease OF
four in the NUMBERED women who were
husbands. TwentSsesgM Of these unfortu-
their husbands Ii, 1859, while for the year
just closed the nuxhF &as "a
"Of the 91s persons who received the bene-
s O. s TIVE WERE ana '11H White tHe
142 colored 74S were natives of the United
States and 165 foreign born.
| Considering the large increase in the
number of worthy applicants and the natu-
| raj growth in our Ilopul alton feel justified
i in asking for an additional appropriation OF
| $500. thus making the appropriation for
/ fra a of
The Hospitals.
During the year the number of persons
sent to the various hospitals was 4,S91, an
I increase of :s51 over jHss year. This is the
! largest number of sick and INDECENT per-
sons provided for during any fiscal year.
! Our hospitals L on many occasions during
this, period were taxed to their utmost
| pacity.
4 Our neighboringr states of Virginia and
Maryland have not failed to- contribute
! their quota of those needing medical care,
| to be provided for at the expense of the
District of Columbia. The figures show
that the former state had 25I persons and
! the latter 1871, an increase of sixty-one for
| Virginia and twenty for Maryland.
While this is undoubtedly charity to-
| ward the above-described class, yet |
slider it manifesty unjust to the taxpayers
of this District and detrimental to our own
sick and destitute, who are sometimes nee
essarily deprived Of treatment because of
pitfalls such being the case at this time.
| at is with great satisfaction that l refer
to the proposed establishment OF municipal
! hospital under the absolute control of the
| District authorities. The need seems to be
taking definite shape and 1t is hoped that
the project will be contaminated.
Ambulance Service.
| 81 desire to commend the ambulance driv-
ers for their prudence, watchfulness and
| care Considering the work of these
| they are the most poorly paid employees of
| the District government, and l most ear
nestly. recommend that their salaries be in
| creased to at least $500 per annum each.
They now receive $50.
| For the past year the ambulance re-
| sponded to 1902 calls. an increase Of 113
| over last year. OF this number $40, an
Increase of twenty-six were unnecessary
| runs. as service rendered. Much
of the work noted as unnecessary could
have been avoided, If the proper care and
discretion had been used by those calling
for the ambulance.
Il would respectfully ask of those con-
| nected with the police department that hey
| fully inform themselves as to the necessity
for the use of an ambulance before calling
for the same. I would also recommend ap-
| propria ton for an additional driver, as l
am frequently compelled. to call on the pa
| troll wagons to assist in the removal of the
sick especially those meeting with acct
dents or found i'll on the streets
Care of the Insane.
81 regret to report decided increase in
the number of the insane class. The num-
Der sent to the Government Hospital for
the Insane during the year. under due pro-
cess of law, was go, increase Of fifty
two. unusual number.
Il cannot refrain from expressing my
high appreciation of the house of detention
This will certainly be the contamination Of
one Of the most needful and beneficial in
| situations under police system. This office
will feel that 1t has been relieved of much
| care and anxiety m being able to care for
tn, insane femalessSS9E Yayward children in
some place other Than q station house
THE thanks of this department are due
the Government Roapfal for the Insane,
for his considerable and humane action in
taking charge of violent cases Of insanity
| placed in the care M this department. pend
Ing judicial nves4 EatiIn. This is a great
service, not only Impatient, but to the
| community and to the relatives of the de-
| TneDted