Evening star., 1901-08-12
CORONER'S REPORT
Recommends That Office Be Relieved
of judicial Functions.
INQUIRY ONLY into CAUSE OF DEATH
Increase in Salary of Morgue
Keeper Asked For.
THE WITNESS FEE SYSTEM

Dr. ]. Ramsey Nevitt, the District coro-
ner, has submitted to the Commissioners
his annual report for the year ending June
30 last and his estimates for the ensuing
year. He says that during the past year
the total number of deaths investigated by
the coroner was S71, an increase of ninety
seven over the previous year
Commenting upon his estimates for ap-
propriations for the ensuing year and the
proposed new morgue the coroner says:
Now that the city is to have new
morgue, the expenses for operating the
same will be greatly increased over the
present appropriation. This will entail ex-
ira responsibilities for the morgue. keeper,
and an increase in his salary Is respectfully
recommended.
I'm my estimates I have recommended
the appointment of a stenographer and
clerk, at $500: also assistant morgue
keeper at $3.50 per annum. The necessity
for this clerk is demonstrated by the num-
ber of letters received from attorneys dur
ing the year. complaining of the incom-
pleteness of the notes taken at inquests.
Important testimony Is oftentimes adduced
at these hearings. and the value of authen-
tic records of the same is manifest. The
stenographer could also be utilized as
clerk in keeping the records of the office.
Opposes Fees to Witnesses.
II wish to call your attention to that
part of the District code which pertains to
the coroner's office. especially that clause
which provides fee for witnesses sum-
moned by the coroner. l do not think that
such a change will work to the best inter-
ests of the office, inasmuch as this fact
will in itself be an incentive to introduce
unreliable and false testimony. Not only
would this condition be ever present, but
the number of wouldbe witnesses greatly
increased Considerable time would be
consumed in eliminating this element by
prolonging the inquest in hearing frrele-
want testimony. These protracted inquests
would be great objection to the better
class of our citizens serving as jurors.
With the natural increase of work in this
office it will mean an additional expense of
nearly 1900.
Furthermore, as recommended by the
revised code, the office as an appointment
is taken away from the authority Of the
Commissioners and vested In the President.
AS in every instance the appointment or q
coroner has been essentially a local one, 1t
would seem advisable for many reasons
that the office be continued under the Com
missioners' Jurisdiction
1T might be well here to refer to several
important recommendations brought out by
coroner's inquests and referred to from
time to time in the daily press. The office
has generally been fortunate in securing
Jurors of high intelligence, who have given
to this important public service.
Accidents at Railway Crossings.
1.-The problem of avoiding accidents at
steam railway crossings in the city will be
solved when elevated or depressed tracks
are used. This, however, does not provide
for the safety of our rapidly increasing
suburban population, and to this end an
could be made. The demands
for rapid transit, of course, increases the
danger of those living out of or near town.
as it is in the suburbs generally that high
speed is maintained with its accompanying
dangers. AS the frequency and speed of
trains multiplies the danger to the sub
urban citizen, the protection afforded at the
crossings should be correspOndingly in
creased 1t would seem also that this would
apply to electric street railway crossings.
creased over last year. The crossing po-
licemen undoubtedly saved many lives
through their vigilance and attention to
duty. Their services in this respect, espe-
cially to women and children, are almost of
daily occurrence.
There was one fatal bicycle accident.
This occurred at F street near 11th north
west This accident would seem to suggest
that the Commissioners require bicyclists
to dismount at street railway transfer sta
tions. dismount of a few seconds at
these points could not possibly inconven-
ience the rider, and it is more than prob
able that much danger would thereby be
eliminated at these congested points.
Six deaths were recorded in the past
year from electric shock, while only one
occurred the previous year. Testimony in
many Of these cases suggest the impor-
tance OF regular inspection of all cleo
trical lines carrying dangerous voltage.
There is ample law, 1t is understood, COW
erlng this matter, but no appropriation to
properly enforce 1T. While it may be unrea-
sonable to expect street railway companies
and lighting companies using electricity to
put their wires underground in the agri-
cultural sections of the country 1t never
theless becomes important that the over
head wires be securely strung and safely
insulated in every locality.
Some Recommendations.
''It also developed that the installation Of
wires In dwellings and buildings Is often
performed in such a manner that there is
liability to danger. Death In two instances
of this sort occurred from abandoned
wires, supposed to be dead.
1T would seem that many of the deaths
occurring from electric shock constitute
strong argument for putting all wires at
least in the thickIy populated sections of
the District, under ground. Two men lost
their lives while engaged in the hazardous
work OF linemen. These fatalities were due
TO rotten telegraph poles.
1T will be seen by the report of acciden-
tai deaths that ten people lost their lives
by illuminating gas. Many of these were
through the medium of the gas stove-a
very useful and generally safe method of
heating small apartments. 1t appears
however. that the greater danger lay in
the manner of making the connection with
the gas fixtures. Almost invariably the
two stop cocks, one governing the gas
flame or jet. the other the stove, are with
In one or two inches of each other. The
cause OF the escaping gas is attributed to
the fact that one or the other of the stop
cocks was turned on by mistake. These
accidents. with probably one exception,
have been confined to occupants of board
ing houses or small hotels. In several cases
the fact was pretty we'll established that
the unfortunate guest was somewhat in
toxicated. AS the accident is one of fire.
quent occurrence 1t might be lessened by
regulating, II possible, the mode of making
the gas connection by increasing the dis
tance between the stop cocks or keys,
thereby preventing in a great measure in
advertence In turning either or both
During the year several deaths have
occurred from drowning in the James
Creek canal The Importance Of fencing
In this open cesspool is apparent. Located
a q in fof ri