The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-09
THE C0RONER'S FUNDS Low
Only SIS Left to Run the Office
Until July 1.
Auditor Petty and DIR. Ncvitt Greatly
Concerned Over tbc tonnrtton OF
Afairs-An Appeal to lie Made to
the Distrirt Comm ssiOncrs.

The problem of finance is confronting
the Coroner of the District, for his dp-
preparation to meet current expenses oi
his Office is about exhausted. But $iS re-
mains of the appropriation for the f5caI
year ending June 50, next, and what
will be done when this small sum is cX-
hausted is yet undetermined. Auditor
Petty. of the District has informed Core
ner hewitt of this condition of affairs.
and the matter is giving the latter much
concern.
Ir his last annual report Coroner hewitt
called attention to the conditions existing
in the office and urged increased appro-
priations to meet necessary expenses.
Money is needed for inquests. for autnp-
sizes, for printing. stationery. stable eX-
penses and rerair. and where this is
to come from during the next three
months is 4 mystery even to Coroner
hewitt himself. No satisfactory solution
is apparent. but the Coroner will soon
make an appeal. it is understood. to the
Commissioners for assistance.
The office of Coroner comes under the
personal supervision If Commissioner II.
r. f. Macfarland, who has already been
acquainted Informally with the lack of
gency has arisen. and the Commissioners
have been compelled to draw on the Dis
trict revenues. it is stated. TO exc out the
appropriation for the Coroner's office.
Whether such action can be taken this
year is not yet known, but within ten
days money will have to be forthcoming
in order that Coroner hewitt may carry
on the work of his office.
With tho provtT pf ri the iurrpa Se
of crime and deaths. the work of the Cor
oner becomes more urgent. Inquests have
been necessary in a number of cases
lately; in fact, the increase in this par
ticular has been unusual and funds must
be forthcoming to meet calls of witnesses
and incidental expenses. The recent in
quest over Fireman Keefe. who was killed
in d collision between truck and a street
car, was most searching, and the expense
was unusually heavy. In cases where
there is doubt as to the cause of death,
the Coroner is called upon to investigate.
and frequently an autopsy is necessary.
Every autopsy calls for money to meet
the requirements of the law and instru-
meutS of various kinds must be provided.
Besides, there are expenses to keep up the
morgue and for stabling the horse used
to haul the dead wagon, and minor re-
pairs.
Prior to taking charge of the Coroner's
once Dr. Neyitt visited many cities, for
the purpose of famiiiarizing himself with
the various modes of conducting the Of
hce lie has put in effect many ideas
which have proved advantageous and
every case reported to him has had thor
ough and personal investigation Last
night Dr. hewitt told a Times reporter
thai he did not know what would be done
WI IN his appropriation was exhausted
lie says thar already the number of sud-
den deaths Investigated and inquests held
have exceeded the yearly average of the
Office Dr. hewitt will bring the matter
to the attention of Commissioner Macfar-
land.
The territory covered by the Coroner of
the District is perhaps larger than that of
any other city in the country. Several
cases are each day presented for investi-
CATION and report. To this work must be
added numerous inquests, aUtopsies, and
attending enquiries. so that much time
and labor are necessary in the proper
conduct of The Office In all cases of Suspi-
cious death a permit from the Coroner is
required before burial of a body can take
place 1t is provided by law that the Cor
oner must personally view the remains in
such cases, so trips to widely separated
sections of the District are daily re-
quired. A general supervision also of
certificates of death. especially when per
sons die at hospitals or have been under
the care of physicians but a few hours
before death, is enjUined on the Coroner.
so that his position is one of RESPONSE
bility and constant watchfulnesS.