The Washington times., 1902-12-18
Not Sufficient Fuel in Many
Homes TO Keep Sick
Rooms Heated--OnIV the
Wealthy Can Afford to
Keep Houses Warm.
Crisis Rapidly Approaching,
According to Local Deal
erS-Schools Should Be
Closed and Other Drastic
Measures Adopted

With little children sunerius from
pneumonia and other ailments and their
parents. though in fairly good circum-
stances. unable to obtain sufficient fuel
10 keep the sick rooms warm, the coal
famine prevailing in the city develop
ed another and more serious phase this
morning. A canvass OF a number of
physicians OF the city shows that ex-
cept in the wealthiest residences Of the
city. all effort 10 heat the entire house
has been abandoned. end those are for
tunate who are able TO keep one or two
rooms at an even temperature The sit
uation as disclosed through the conf
dental visits Of the ply sicians is Sc
rious. and in the opinion of practically
every practitioner intense suffering and
death are inevitable unless some imme-
diate steps are taken for lhe relief
OF the city.
There is probably no better way Of
ascertaining the true situation in resi-
deuces than through the family physi-
clan The expressions received from
practically every member OF the pro
fession consulted this morning were the
same
Dr. Lewis ]. Battle. Of 2O5 c Street.
said he had found many homes 70 which
the next cold spell will bring suffering
and illness.
Among the poor colored families IN
the alleys" he said. "the situation is
particularly distressing In many Of
these houses there has not been a FIRE
in the stoves this winter. I'm several
instances I have found cases CT bron-
ohitis, and even pneumonia. being nurs-
ed in rooms colder than on the outside
OF the buildings.
DIR. Grafton d. r. Bailey, 223 Four an
a-haf street northwest. has serious
case OF typhoid fever in an apartment
hou1c ca Thirteen,h Street northwest
where there has been no heat for several
days at a time. In another locality he is
attending a case OF pneumonia that Is
similarly situated.
DR.. l. W. Glazebrook. Of 2022 P Street
northwest, takes a happier view OF the
situation.
Il believe the homes are healthier this
year than formerly, as I'm the winter
time they are usually kept too warm"
Or. c. L. Magruder. OF the Farragut
has found most Of his patients with only
limited supplies Of coal. and complaining
not only OF its scarcity, but OF the prices
they are compelled TO pay
Dr. Charles c. Marbury. Of 1921 Four
teenth Street northwest. found several
cases OF sickness in apartment houses
that for several days az time were en-
tirely without coal and she heating
plants shut down. TT is frighunl %
contemplate the suffering that will pre-
vail unless some unforeseen relief rs af-
fcrded said DR.. Marbury
Dr. Clifton Mayfeld 1885 Thirteenth
Street northwest. said:
Suffering is Inevitable this winter. al
though I have not run across any Sc
rious cases"
Dr. George C. Ober. POI q Street
southeast. said hat in his section Of the
city coal WAS difficult 10 obtain az any
price. Most OF my patients have a
small quantity on hand. but the shortage
s. distressing.
Or. 7. s Savage. Of Beuning. has
found bur iittie coal iu he homes Of
his patients auj elsewhere.
The suffering and death that Will
prevail during the winter. beginning with
the nrst cold snap. is terrifying 10 con-
template" said Dr. D. Percy Hickling.
OF 22i Third Street northwest.
The Times through its Investigations.
has disclosed the fact that the Gov
ap vtrn"nt office buildings.