The Washington times., 1904-03-27

ability to make proper selections" de-
cial ed Mr.. CockreA That Is the only
way 10 do it
MIR Stewart said it was not the seIec-
ton of the men, but legislation. which
is to blame, and Mr.. Lodge said the
District Commissioners do not make
the selection.
Woodward a Dictator
This aroused Mr.. Stewart to a re-
newed attack on the Health officer.
This man" ne said. has been run
ming the legislation for ten years. /
have his testimony that there are 1000
places which he cannot inspect. IIe
admits that all of this dirt IS going on,
but none of the bills he has ever drawn
and he draws them all-providcs
against 1t, and they do not prescribe
the duties OF the inspectors They arc
all subject to his general control lie
JUST wants 50 many inspectors and then
he does what he pleases with them
They DO nothing TO benefit this COM
mInity. ] think this man Eas been die
tator long enough
Who Makes the Laws?
Nh Plat of Connecticut and Mr..
Stewart then had an exchange of views
as to whether the Senate District Com
mittee accepts everything the Commits
Fioners send to Congress Are they
really the lawmaking power in the Dis
trict? asked Mr.. Platt, "or do they
make things TO suit the Commissioners?
Are We legislating here just what the
Commissioners tell us to legislate, or
are their recommendations ever over
ruled in committee
As far as / am concerned. declared
Mr.. Stewart, i OverTule them every
time ] do not agreee with them and
generally / do not agree.
he went on TO speak OF the bill TO con-
denim unsauitary buildings, and said
a substitute bill had been returned IL
place of the bill drawn up by the commit
tee. That same man had drawn plen-
ty of substitute bills" he said He
runs all those things. He IS boss every
where.
70 who decided about nuisances, Sena-
tor Stewart replied.
The Health Officer decides every
tning. He is law unto himself. THAI
IS all the law we have on the subject"
Praise for Commissioners.
Mr.. Spooner was then recognized and
defended the District Commissioners.
In the fifteen years / have been here, %
he said, I have never known the DIS
trict to be differed better or by more
conscientious men"
1t is not the Commissioners fault
interrupted Mr. Stewart
Does the Senator object to my pay
Mr.. SpOOner-
M Stewart reiterated that he had
no desire 10 reflect on the District Com
missloners. Continuing, Mr.. SpOOner
said.
Il look upon the Commissioners as
men Of not only fine ability but OF
great earnestness and efficiency in the
discharge Of their duties / suppose
they must rely largely upon the Health
Ohcers reports to them. But it is bet
ter 70 have no department of that kind
and no system OF inspection at all than
&c have Il poor and inefficient one.
II the people are lulled TO a sense Of
security IN that respect by an expensive
and considerable health department, by
the presumption shat everything they
purchase in the way of food is carefully
inspected, they viii be less careful than
II there was no such department
Report Again Attacked.
The report from the food inspectors
is utterly inconsequenual, and I think
il is discreditable. have done little
inspection myself. as / suppose most
Senators have. / used only the nose. but
/ have been obliged several times to re-
ject foods purchased by my family and
sent to my house / think the inspectors
should be subjected 70 a rigid competi-
tive examination, and that they ought
10 be under civil service
Mr. Allison said he agreed thoroughly
with his colleague on the necessity for
a thorough inspection OF food. Further
consideration Of this provision then went
over, and the reading Of the bill was
resumed When page 81 had been reach
ed. Mr. Allison agreed 20 have the bill
90 over until tomorrow. and the Sen
ate proceeded TO consider unObi ected /
pension bills