Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-25

tenn is reported as working satisfactorily.
We believe that this principle Is wise and
that it's introduction is an indication OF
progress on the part OF the board OF trus-
tees This new departure should be given
a fair trial.
.'The daily average number present in the
reform school for girls was sixty-eight. as
compared with fifty-five during the previous
year an increase of thirteen. AS in the
case of the boys school, the Increase In
population did not demand an increase In
the appropriation. The inmates of this
school are also released on proba ton, In the
discretion of the board of trustees, and the
system is reported as working well. AS In
the case of the boys school, we believe
lines, and should be given a fair trial. An
additional teacher is asked for at this
school ON account of the increased popula-
ton and the opening of a new school build
ing A slight increase in the compensation
of the teachers Is also requested. The Sala-
ries of the teachers at this institution are
less than is paid for a similar grade OF
work in other institutions in the District.
and 1t has been found impracticable to Sc
cure and retain competent teachers for the
small salaries allowed.
The board recommends no increase in the
annual hospital appropriations, except in
the case of children's hospital, where an
| increase from $4,000 to $4,000 is recon-
mended.
1t is stated that a new building is greatly
needed at Columbia Hospital.
| Regarding New Municipal Hospital.
The board strongly urges that provision
be made in the new municipal hospital for
the treatment of special cases, which prt-
vate hospitals refuse to admit. The cases
referred to are persons suffering from pull
monary tuberculosis, persons suffering
from chronic and incurable diseases. con-
yalescent patients and fnebriates. The re-
port states that washington Asylum Hos
pital the only present available place for
such cases. is always overcrOwded and
there are many persons who ought to be in
a hospital, but are denied admission be-
cause room Is not available. Unless pro-
vision is made at once in the municipal
hospital for the classes Of cases referred to,
very extensive engagements will be neces-
sary at the Washington Asylum Hospital.
The board does not recommend enlarge
ments at this hospital, because 1t believes
that the wiser plan Is to proceed with the
construction of the municipal hospital and
discontinue the general hospital work on
the Washington Asylum grounds. leaving
there only sufficient hospital facilities to
care for the prisoners in the workhouse.
The sick poor ought not to be sent to an
institution where they must be placed in
the same wards occupied by prisoners.
1.-The demand that provision be made inn
mediately for the care of patients suffering
from pulmonary tuberculosis is peculiarly
urgent. This disease is such a menace to
the community that public sentiment has
become greatly aroused. and an insistant
providing for the proper isolation of per-
sons suffering from this disease. At pres
ent no such provision Is made. We bel eve
that Congress should at once authorize the
erection of buildings on the new municipal
hospital grounds, already purchased by an
appropriation made for that purpose, suf-
fcient to accommodate from $50 to go
patients of this class. An estimate is
made for $4,000 for beginning the work
at this hospital. and it is recommended that
the Commissioners be authorized to enter
into contracts In an amount sufficient to
complete the buildings necessary for the
care of the above mentioned number Of
PATIENTS.
The report speaks In highly compli-
mentary terms of the services rendered by
the physicians to the poor and the MEM
bers of the Instructive Visiting Nurses So
ciety. 1t Is recommended that the public
child-caring system of the District should
be placed under the direction of the board
of children's guardians, and that some pro-
minded colored children. The reference in
the report to the juvenile court Is as fol-
lows
I'VE are of the opinion that the Juvenile
court should be established. devoted exclu-
siyely to the hearing and determining of
cases involving dependent and delinquent
children. The present judges OF the police
court have. at great personal sacrifice, made
arrangements whereby Juvenile eases are
now heard at a separate hearing. after the
adjournment of the court for the trial Of
adult cases. But the children must be
brought to the police court building. and
there Ia Inevitably an atmosphere of the
police court In evidence The judges. on
account of their arduous duties in the adult
thought to the problem Of dealing with
fuyonile delinuuencv and dependency that