Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-05

located for many years in the middle Of a
street down at the border of the old Naval
Observatory grounds. 1t is a very poor
structure, small and inadequate for the re-
quirements. The appropriation was asked
for to buy site Of about four acres near
enough to the city Of Washington to be ac-
cessible, but not near any considerable
number Of residences, and there to build a
suitable pound and a stable. The stable
could be arranged to accommodate the
horses of the health department and the
horses Of other departments Of the District
government, which are now kept at livery
stables.
Continuing Erection of Male Work
house.
The Commissioners asked for an appro-
priation Of $1O2, 600 to continue the erection
Of a workhouse for males. One wing Of the
three provided for in the plans has been
completed, but is insufficient for the re-
quire Of the institution The board Of
charities report that the crowded condition
Of prisoners at the workhouse is inhuman
and something terrible. Some of the pris-
oners are bunked nine in room, and some
of them two In a bunk. The new work.
house authorized, of which only one wing
has been completed, would make model
institution and make possible the care for
the inmates in a proper and sanitary man
ner.
Erection Of Municipal Almshouse.
The Commissioners asked for an appro-
priation of 1926 600 for the erection of q
municipal almshouse, for which a site was
purchased and plans prepared under au-
thority of Congress The site purchased
consists of about 26O acres of land situated
over beyond Congress Heights, and Is suf-
f1ciently large to make an ideal home for
the worthy poor and to meet the require
ments of the District for many years to
come.
The present almshouse is situated near
the Congressional cemetery, and in connec-
ton with the Jail and workhouse. 1t is be-
lieved desirable that the INDECENT poor
should be separated from these other two
institutions. The present accommoda lions
are insufficient, and as the District has
acquired the necessary site 1t is believed
that the land now lying idle should be
utilized for the purpose for which it was
intended.
Building for Tuberculous Patients.
The physicians at the Washington Asy-
lum are very emphatic in their sta tement
that $4,000 ought to be appropriated for
the erection of building for the treatment
of patients suffering from tuberculosis.
The Commissioners submitted this esti-
mate to the committee on appropriations,
but the latter did not see fit to make the
IL.
tients are kept in the same building with
patients suffering from other diseases when
they should be isolated.
Tuberculosis Is now recognized as an In
fictitious and conta gous disease, and it Is
believed that a building for the treatment
of this class of patients should be provided
to avoid contagion.
Erection Of Municipal Hospital.
A site for this hospital has been pur-
| n a a nd p1qOa nrpnarad Under authority
Of Congress. There are two sets of plans
which have been approved. The first is to
provide for the immediate needs Of the Dis
trict at the present time, which would cost
about 81 100000.
The second plan is for an extensive build
ing to meet the needs of the District ten
years hence. None Of the private hospitals
in Washington will take chronic or incur
able cases of the poor, including the tuber-
culosds cases, which are conta gious and
this class Of sick are now put in the Wash
ington Asylum or the Freedmens Hospital,
neither of which has sufficient accommoda-
tions. In addition to this convalescent
poor patients are not permitted to remain
in private hospitals and are Obliged to re-
turn to their homes, where often they do
not and cannot receive proper care. Pro-
vision could me made in the municipal hos
pital for both OF these classes Of patients.
Congress has authorized the project by
appropriating for site, and it Is believed
that the work should be commenced on the
erecuoH oi IiuHicipdl Hospltal OF SuIH-
cient accommodations to meet the require
ments of the District.
The loan bill will undoubtedly be called
up in the House Monday.
The Proposed Law.
The proposed law. as drafted by the Com
missIoners, is as follows.
THAT until and including June 20. 1923.
the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized
and directed to advance from time to time
on requisition of the Commissioners of the