Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-26
DISCUSSED IN SENATE
District Appropriation Bill
Considered.
THE HEALTH OFFICER
CRITICISED By SENATOR STEW
ART, DEFENDED By OTHERS.
Opposition to Placing Police Court in
Municipal Building-Influence
Of Commissioners.
THE HEALTH OFFICER

The District Of Columbia appropriation
BIZ was again called up this afternoon inn
mcdiately after the routine business of the
Senate.
No additional changes were made in tine
bill. but there was discussion about some
of it's provisions. chiefly in relation to the
administration of the health department so
far as it relates to the inspection Of milk
Senator Stewart took occasion to refer to
the health officer in an uncomplimentary
way so far as his official performance of
duties is concerned. DR.. Woodward was
defended by other senator's.
Senator McComas, when the appropria-
tions for the fire department were reached,
asked whether the high-pressure service
had been provided.
Senator Allison explained that it had not
been in this bill, and Senator McComas re-
piled that he hoped it would receive atten-
ton next year.
Health Department Criticised.
Senator Stewart then criticised the ad-
ministration of the health department He
said this department more than any other
affected the happiness of the people of the
District of Columbia.
."And yet." he declared, "it is the worst
managed"
50. 800 in salary. and for that money a COM
petent man ought to be secured.
Il am sorry he said. that we have any
such man at the head Of this department"
Senator Stewart said that the meat in
spection of the District was inefficient and
that he and some of his friends had come
near being poisoned by meat they had
bought in the markets here. The milk in
spectfon, he said. was altogether unsatis-
factory. The number of sanitary and food
inspectors had been increased by the House.
but he thought they ought to be reduced
These men were no good, he said. so far
as milk inspection Is concerned.
Senator Lodge stated that the food in
spection seemed to be unsatisfactory in the
District.
Health Officer Defended.
Senator Cockrell defended the health Off
Ger and said that Senator Stewart had done
him an injustice in his remarks.
Senator Platt Comm wanted to know
whether the District committee ever OPP
posed anything the District Commissioners
favored for legislation whether they ever
themselves undertook to frame District
sioners.
Senator Stewart said that. so far as he
was concerned. he overruled the Commits
sioners whenever he did not agree with
them.
Senator Allison declared that the District
Commissioners were intelligent. alert and
active, and he had very high regard for
them. He thought they were valuable
officers.
Senator McComas also spoke in the high
est terms OF the health officer. He said
that he knew him to be a man of high
character, of industry and of learning. who
was devoting his whole attention to the
subjects of sanitation.
Senator Stewart favored cutting down
the number of sanitary and food inspectors
from thirteen to four as provided in the
House bill. rather than take the committee
amendment.
The section relating to the health de-
partment was finally passed over until Mon
day morning.
Site for Police Court.
There was some discussion On the Sem
ate amendment to purchase additional
ground adjacent to the present Police Court
building.
Senator Allison said that the appropria-
tons committee was unanimous in oppos-
Ing the removal of the Police Court to the
municipal building and in providing for
site at the present location of the Police
Court building on which a suitable build
ing could be erected at some time in the
future.
Senator McComas spoke strongly in favor
of this project. He said he hoped the new
Police Court building would be erected at
the present site and declared that the
crowded condition of the court and its ut
ter lack of facilities demanded prompt at
tention on the part Of Congress.
Bill Laid Aside.
At 2:30 o'clock the District appropriation
bill was temporarily laid aside In order to
permit the consideration of unobjected PEN
sion bills. 1t will come up again Monday
morning after the routine business.