Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-07
ASK NTR[BU TIONS
PROSECUTION OF W0EK BY TWO
LOCAL COMMITTEES.

Having completed plans for the prosecu-
ton of their work next year. the committee
on Improvement of housing conditions in
the District has decided to ask citizens to
contribute total of 81, 40. The committee
Is working in conjunction with the commit
tee on prevention of consumption. and 1t is
stated that they intend to cooperate next
year with the District government In max
Ing the new law for condemnation of insan-
itary buildings effective. In statistical
way the report shows that there are 2S6 In
habited alleys in this city. they being char
acterized as little interior cities with
shamefully low standards of life" The
committee on prevention of consumption
ask for a total contribution of $3.50. Both
committees have offices at 105 Ouray build
ing, and they ask that checks should be
made payable to either the committee on
Improvement of housing conditions or the
committee prevention of consumption
Detailed accounts of all receipts and ex-
penditures are on file in the Ouray building
open to public inspection.
The report of the committee on improve
ment of housing conditions is in part, as
follows:
"A year ago this committee undertook
two investigations-the first of a general
and educational character, the second deal
Ing specifically with facts relating to one
alley. Information presented to the Com
missioners at the close of these investiga-
ment of an official commission. This COM
mission has since reported, urging the
opening into minor streets forty feet wide
of nearly a dozen of these alleys. The
work is now progressing and a valuable
start has been made which. If followed up.
will eventually solve the alley problem
Dilapidated and Unsafe House.
This committee has co-operated with the
building department in ferreting out the
many dilapidated and unsafe houses still
occupied as homes by the least resourceful
people. The alley problem will be solved
rapidly public opinion makes extern
sion of the work possible. If 1t is desirable
to make respectable minor streets out of
the inhabited alleys 1t will be necessary
to turn a large amount of public opinion
in this direction.
1.-THE present demand for sanitary homes
at low rentals is enormous and will increase
as more houses are condemned. This de-
mand is now met by overcrowding; 1t
should be met by additional buildings A
new subcommittee Is to be appointed
impress upon builders and investors the
desirability of building for the poorer peo-
pie"
Educational Work Detailed.
After detailing it's edu Ltional work for
the year. which included a lecture cam
paign, the preparation Of newspaper ar
ticles and the distribution of leaflets, plac-
ards and the like, the committee on pre-
vention Of consumption reports as follows:
THE free dispensary for consumptives
reports S43 dispensary cases examined, in
structed and treated during the past year.
The establishment of 'Starmont Sana-
torium for the outdoor curative treatment
of consumptives has been a most impor-
tant work, and the results already plainly
evident have been reassuring to all who
have watched the uphill fight of this much
needed institution. About fifty cases have
been admitted to the institution since 1t
was opened year ago, several cases hav-
ing shown gains from twenty-five to thirty
pounds, and gains of from ten to fifteen
pounds being the rule In cases which re-
main under treatment for a month or more.
This is a demonstration that consumptives
can do well In this climate. and that
distant state Is not essential to improve
ment and cure.
The work of this committee is to be
extended still more vigorously during the
coming year. Washington has an abnor-
mally large consumptive population. many
OF whom are thoroughly ignorant Of the
simplest rules of health and utterly care
less as torthe ma nner An which they con-
duct themselves. 1t Is for the benefit of
every individual in the community that
these consumptives be instructed and their
carelessness controlled"