The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-12
Commissioners Hit Upon
This Means of Pre-
venting Trouble.
MR.. WEST DISCUSSES PLAN
Says Segregation Is Move in
Right Direction and Rem
edy Will Be Lasting.

radical change is contemplated in
the method of administering the affairs
of the Washington Asylum plan, de-
vised by Commissioner West, and ap-
proved in all its essential details by
Commissioner Macfarland, provides that
each of the three institutions compris-
ing the asylum, namely. the workhouse,
almshouse, and hospital, are to be seq
regated. one from the other. and re-es-
tablished under separate and distinct
management
The workhouse, which at no time
shelters less than 10o petty violators of
the law, is to be put in charge of a
captain or lieutenant of police; the
hospital is to be in charge of the resi-
dent and visiting physicians. and the
almshouse will continue under an in-
tendent, who. as at present, will be but
a civilian emDloye of the District gov
ernment.
Location of New Buildings.
The Commissioners. by the persistent
effort on the part of Mr.. Macfarland.
have obtained appropriations for a new
municipal hospital and almshouse- The
former will be located on Brightwood
Road beyond the city limits. and the
latter Will be transferred 70 a point
opposite Alexandria at the lo1er end OF
the District line The present aims
house building will probably be COR
demned. leaving. however. the hospital
building and other structures for the
use OF the workhouse
In speaking of this new plan. the
reasons for it. and its probable effect.
Commissioner West said:
The Commissioners. for a long time.
have been advocating reforms at the
Washington Asylum. but Congress.
through scanty appropriations. has prac-
tically tied their hands. The recent re-
port of the Investigating committee of
the Board OF Charities exposing what
purports to be culpable negligence in
the administration Of the affairs of the
institution. makes it imperative that
some action be taken Immediately.
Policeman for Workhouse.
The first step will be TO divorce the
three minor institutions. one from the
other. 1 Will suggest then. that a cap
tain or lieutenant OF police be assigned
TO assume charge of the workhouse. The
men confined there are generally IL
corrigible, and show little or no respect
for civilian. whatever may be MS title
The presence of an officer. with mis- blue
uniform and brass buttons, and the in
sigma of his rank upon his shoulders
will do more to keep these men orderly
and respectful than an army OF civilians.
This plan has the further advantage
that IL a particular officer shows lack Of
administrative ability, OF a disinclina-
ton TO watch closely the affairs of the
workhouse. the Commissioners may
transfer him TO a precinct, and designate
another officer, thus avoiding comment.
or embarrassing formalities. Then again.
an occasional change of this sort. made
possible by this plan, will maintain
sort OF competition; one officer checking
loose or careless methods on the part of
another
In other words. the Commissioners
will be in closer and more direct touch
with the workhouse, guaranteeing a bet
ter administration. The workhouse Is
essentially q branch of the Police De-
partment, and it was a great mistake
in the first place TO place civilian at
its head"