The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-12
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
A New Rule for the Physicians
to the Poor.
The Board of Charities Recommends
Several Changes in Present Prac-
fIccs - High Bidding ut the Ink
Sale Danger From Fire Horses.

George S 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
almshouse, hospitals, and other charita-
BILE 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 the fol-
lowing recommendations, which are based
upon a comprehensive and detailed report
made to this board by its standing Com
mittee on Medical Charities:
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.
THE board recommends that the issuing
of permits for admission to the aims
house. hospitals. and other charitable in
situations. in so far as the matter is
under the control of the Commissioners.
be made the duty of the Board of Chart
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 recommended
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
the dispensaries is all intimately connect
ed, and these three branches of medical
charity work should be organized in EN-
tire harmony and proper coordination.
is strictly charitable service, rather
than one having to do with questions of
public health and therefore should be
administered as a part of the
charity system Hospitals are specifical-
Is 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
that the whole duty of issuing permits for
admission under these rules should prop
erly be carried on under its immediate
The assignment of ambulances to the
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 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-
dule.'
The Board of Charities ask early con-
sideration Of the matter, and 1t is under |
stood that the Commissioners will act |
favorably upon the recommendations.
Yesterdays session Of the District tax |
sale developed several new features and |
Il different times during the day there |
was unusual excitement in the little room
m the Collectors office, where the sale
IS conducted. For several years past
Charles II. Wiltsie, OF Rochester, n. Y,
with four or five Washington parties. |
nave quietly bid in all the desirable prop
srty in the District in arrears for taxes |
Mr.. Wiltsie has been the chief purchaser
Tor three years past, and has invested a
good many thousand dollars in the Dis
trict taxes.
Yesterday there appeared on the scene.
luly vouched for. E. c. MCGEE. of Roch- |
ester, representing II. 3. Slade. of that |
city. S. F. CapeIl, another resident Of |
Rochester also put in an appearance. |
md both these gentlemen were apparently |
IN the scent for large slice of the de-
inquent property. Almost as soon as the
sale opened there was spirited bidding
or desirable pieces Of property and some
II them with arrears in taxes of only SO |
o SIG were bid up to $50. and TO all con-
.eivable figures below that.
AS explained by an observant witness |
1f the scene Mr.. Wiltsie started out to
irive the competition off the field 1t is
said that one man from Cleveland, Ohio
who had come to Washington to engage
ding. suppoSing that In each case the
surplus bid had TO be paid into the Dis
lrict treasury. The law on this point is. |
as explained by the Collector of Taxes
hat 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- |
veiopments at the session today. II is |
NE. Il all III
undisturbed In the District is
about to be invaded. and that parties from !
other cities are on the ground with a /
view Of raking I'm some OF the profits |
which are said to accrue from the pur- |
.hase of property in arrears on taxes.
a. O. Tingley Secretary of the North
'apital and lexington Citizens Associa-
ion, has called the attention of the Com
nissioners to the horses of the Fire De-
,artmcnt which sometimes get loose in
he streets. and recommends that one
aan go with each horse to prevent acct
ledts. Nr. Tingley says that it is GUS
omary for a fireman to ride one horse
Ind lead another. If the horse that is
cd becomes frightened. Mr.. Tingley says.
is impossible to hold the animal He |
itates that he has seen the horses get
Dose several times, and he cites one |
Instance when the alarm struck and the |
iorses gave leap when they heard IL. |
hrowing the rider, after which both
lorses went tearing down the street as
bough running to "A fire. He says that |
u this occasion the extra horses had to
~ used in order to get the engine out |
willie two iiremen remained to catch the |
runaway horses.
Mr.. Tingley cites another instance when
ne horse got away and ran over his
ront yard. w-erc small children were
laying, the little ones fortunately sue !
eeding In getting out of the way lie
lforms the Commissioners that "A num-