Evening star., 1904-02-29
HOPE FOR INCREASE
DISTRICT OFFICIALS VIEW OF
ALMsHoUsE APPROPRIATION.
Cost Limited to 500, ooo-Belief That
Congress Will Not Authorize
New Site.

The District officials. 1t is stated conf
IDENTIFY anticipate that the Senate commit
tee on appropriations will increase the
amount of the item for the construction of
the new municipal almshouse from $4,000
as reported several days ago by the House
committee to $125.O00. which sum has been
requested by the District Commissioners for
the completion of the proposed new build
ing.
In the District appropriation bill passed
last year, it is pointed out. an appropria-
ton of $125. 600 was authorized for the erec-
ton of the new almshouse. the Dill re-
ported several days ago, however, the
House committee included an item of $780,
600 to be used toward the erection OF the
new almshouse but stipulated that the to-
tai cost of the, structure should not exceed
$10O 600
The effect of the provision in the pend
ing measure. should it be allowed to re-
main in the bill would be to reduce the to-
tai cost of the almshouse by $4,000 less
than the amount authorized In the Dill
passed last year. In view of the fact that
all the plans for the new building have been
made under the provisions of the bill au-
thorizing the erection of a building to cost
$125OCO 1t is believed that the Senate COM
mittee will raise the amount of the appro-
priation in the pending bill. 1t is stated that
it will be impossible to erect a building
plans at a cost of less than $125. .OOO.-
Will Necessitate Changes.
In the event the bill is finally passed linn
iting the cost of the almshouse to 100000,
all the plans for the structure will have to
be changed and considerable delay will be
occasioned in the completion of the build
ing. This contingency, however, is not ex-
pected by the District authorities. who feel
confident that the Senate will stand by it's
action of last year and renew the appro-
priaton of $4,000. as the limit of cost of
the building.
The new almshouse will be located on
tract embracing 2o0 acres, at Giesboro
Point. portion of the tract will be used
as a burial ground for the INDECENT dead.
The appropriation for the new building
will not be available until after the 1st
of next July. and it is stated that work
en- the new almshouse will not be COM
menced until after that time. 1t is esti-
mated that the structure can be completed
In the fall of 1905
The removal of the almshouse from its
present site near the District workhouse to
Giesboro' Point. it is stated. will necessi-
tate the placing of the almshouse under a
separate management. At present the in
stitutiOn is under the supervision of w. HI
Stoutenburgh. intendent of the Washing
ton Asylum. But since the almshouse will
be located about five miles from the other
buildings Of the Washington Asylum, it fs
thought that the supervision of the insti-
tuition will have to be transferred to a
superintendent of the almshouse.
For Continuing Construction.
In the pending District appropriation bill
is included an item of $4,000 for continuing
the erection Of workhouse for males on
the present site, at a total cost not to ex-
ceed 100000 This is taken as an indica-
tion that Congress does not anticipate re-
moving the wcrkhouse from tie eastern sec
tion of the city at any. time the near fu-
ture.
For several years citizens and property
owners in the eastern part of Washington
have urged that the workhouse, the aims
house and other District institutions in the
vicinity of the jail be removed from that
section of the city.
The tract of land on which these buildings
are located embraces about sixty acres. In
addition to the District jail, which is used
to detain offenders against the United
States laws, there are located on the tract
the District workhouse, a wOrkhouse for fe-
male prisoners, the Washington Asylum
Hospital, the smallpox hospital and deten-
ton camp, and the buildings now used for
the almshouse.
The fact that Congress has provided for
additional wing for the workhouse is
tend to remove that institution from its
present location.
1t is stated that when the new almshouse
is completed and that institution is pro-
vided for in the new building to be erected
on Giesboro' Point, that the present build
workhouse until such time as additional
buildings are provided for that house of
correction.