The times., 1901-04-12
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
A New Rule for the Physicians
to the Poor.


George 5. Wilson, Secretary of the
Board Of Charities has forwarded to the
Commissioners several recommendations
relative to the supervision of the physi-
clans to the poor. and with reference to
the issue of permits for admission to the
aImshouse, hospitals, and other charita-
bic institutions. AS representing the
Board Of Charities Mr. Wilson is of the
opinion that these matters, as well as
that of supervision over the ambulances
used to convey persons to the hospitals
should be in the board. Mr.. Wilson's let
ter to the Commissioners states:
The Board Of Charities has the honor
to request your consideration of tn, fol-
lowing recommendations, which are based
upon comprehensive and detailed report
made to this board by its standing Com
mittee on Medical Charities:
e" The board recommends that the ply
sicians to the poor be assigned to work,
commencing July /, under the immedi-
ate supervision of the Board of Charities;
the appointment of these physicians, as
heretofore. TO remain in the hands of the
Commissioners.
q" The board recommends that the issuing
of permits for admission to the aims
house. hospitals. and other charitable in
Stitutions. in so far as the matter is
under the control of the Commissioners,
be made the duty of the Board Of Chari-
ties. And in this connection, the board
further recommends that the ambulances
used to convey persons to the hospitals
be assigned to work under the immediate
supervision OF the Board of Charities.
In explanation of these recommenda-
tions, the board submits the following:
1t is unquestionably the intent of the law
creating this board. and is in the interest
of good administration, that all the work
in connection with the charitable service
OF the District should be carried on under
the immediate supervision of a central
authority, and it is the purpose Of this
board, from time to time, to make such
recommendations looking toward that end
as will ultimately bring about a satisfac-
tory and harmonious system in all our
public charity work.
Referring more specifically to the
above recommendations, the board sub
mits that the work of the physicians to
the poor, that of the hospitals and of
fhe dispensaries, is all intimately connect
ed, and these three branches of medical
charity work should be organized in en-
tire harmony and proper co-ordination
The work of the physicians to the poor
is a strictly charitable service, rather
than one having to do with questions of
public health, and therefore should be
properly administered as a part of the |
charity system. Hospitals are specihcaI- |
ly put under the supervision of this board |
by the law creating it, and it is made |
the duty OF the board under that law |
to make rules and regulations governing !
the admission of patients to these hospi- |
tails; hence the board is of the opinion 1
that the whole duty of issuing permits for |
admission under these rules should prop |
erly be carried on under its immediate /
supervision.
The assignment Of ambulances to the l
work under the direction of the board |
becomes necessary as an accompaniment |
Of the issuance Of permits of admission |
10 hospitals, and the board recommends |
that a proper number of ambulances- !
possibly two-be assigned for this pur-
pose. and that hereafter the estimates |
for the maintenance Of this ambulance /
service be included in the charity sche- |
DUE.
The Board of Charities ask early con-
sideration Of the matter, and it is under |
stood that the Commissioners will act
faYorably upon the recommendations
Yesterdays session Of the District tax 1
sale developed several new features, and
at different times during the day there
was unusual excitement in the little room 4
of The Collectors office, where the sale /
Is conducted. For several years past
Charles II. W-iltsie, OF Rochester. N Y.
with four or five Washington parties.
have quietly bid in all the desirable prop
erty in the District in arrears for taxes. /
Dir. Wiltsie has been the chief purchaser |
for three years past. and has invested a |
good many thousand dollars in the Dis /
tgict taxes.
Yesterday there appeared on the scene.
duly vouched for f. c. McGee. Of Roch- |
ester, representing H. 3. Slade, Of that
city. s. f. CapeH. another resident Of
Rochester. also put in an appearance
and both these gentlemen were apparently
on the scent for a large slice Of the de-
linquent property. Almost as soon as the |
sale opened there was spirited bidding
FOR desirable pieces Of property, and some
Of them with arrears in taxes of only SO
10 SIG were bid up TO Sl50 and TO all con-
ueivable figures below that
AS explained by an observant witness
of the scene Mr.. Wiltsie started out TO |
drive the competition off the field II Is /
said that one man from Cleveland, Ohio |
who had come TO Washington 20 engage !
in the sale was frightened off by the bid :
ding. supposing that in each case the
surplus bid had TO be paid into the Dis /
triCt treasury. The law on this point IS !
as explained by the Collector of Taxes /
that the surplus above the tax and ex- |
penses Is not paid. unless the party pur-
chasing takes out a deed against the prop
erty
This fact relative to the bidding was
explained yesterday after the sale and II /
Is expected that there will be further de- |
XeioDments at the session TO-DAY It is |
iutimated that the field which a few have |
occupied undisturbed in the District is |
about 10 be invaded, and that parties from !
other cities are on the ground with a
view OF raking in some Of the profits |
which are said to accrue from the pur-
chase of property in arrears on taxes.
4. O. Tingley. Secretary Of the North
Capital and lexington Citizens Associa-
ton, has called the attention Of the Com
inissioners TO the horses OF the Fire De-
Dartment which sometimes get loose in
ihe streets. and recommends that one
man 80 with each horse to prevent acci-
deds. Mr. Tineley says that II is Gus
tomary for a fireman to ride one horse
and lead another. If the horse that is
led becomes frightened. Mr.. Tingley says.
il is impossible 10 hold the animal He
states that he has seen the horses get
loose several times, and he cites one
instance when the alarm struck and the
horses gave leap when they heard it,
Ihrowing the rider, after which both
horses went tearing down the street as
though running TO "a FIRE. He says that |
IA this occasion the extra horses had to |
be- used in order 10 get the engine out |
while two iiTemen remained TO catch the |
unaway horses
Mr.. Tingley cites another instance when
3ne horse got away and ran over his |
font yard. v ere small children were |
3l3yIng, the little ones fortunately sue
,cCoing la getting out Of the way lie !
10 Farrfs eff |