Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15
HIS ESTIMATES
HEALTH OFFICER WOODWARD
ASKS FOR $14e,3eo.

Making provisions for expenditures more
than 30 per cent i'll excess of the amount
allowed his department for the current
year. Health Officer Woodward today sub
mitted his estimates to the Commissioners
for the twelve months ending June so, 1908.
Much Of the additional money DR. Wood
ward desires for extensions and improve
ments of the bureaus subsidiary to his de-
partment. such the District pound,
stable to the smallpox hospital etc, but he
also asks for substantial increases in the
working force of inspectors and clerks. The
health Office appropriation for the current
year is $9628O. while for next year the
necessity for an allowance of total of
$40 .3G0 is urged
Although he states that many of the en-
ployes Of his department are seriously
oFerWorked and therefore deserving of in
creased compensation, the health officer de-
ciares that he considers increases In the
force of the office more important than
greater salary allowances because the ex-
lSting stan would thereby be relieved from
the burden of excessive work.
Showing Increases.
Taking his estimates as whole the
health officer has prepared a separate list
showing the increases in force and in sal
aries ranged in the order, as he sees it, of
their relative importance to the department.
Inc nrst mentioned on this list Is an in
crease of the number Of sanitary and food
inspectors of the 81 200 grade from fourteen
to seventeen.
Next comes the proposition to establish a
house-to-house inspection service, the en-
ployment OF additional smoke inspectors,
and OF inspectors to compel compliance with
the recently amended barber-shop regula-
lions. total of ten new inspectors at 81, 600
each per annum being desired for these
tasks. AS third in Importance is the plan
to place two additional men on the clerical
force of the health office at 500 each. Item
q in the estimates, but considele ed fourth
IN Importance among the increases in
force, is the plan to appoint bacteriolo-
glst, and an estimate of si.sO0 for payment
of the salary of such an official is made.
The services of bacterioogist. The health
officer declares, would be of incalculable
benefit in investigation Into the character
of the water supply from public and private
wells in the District and on dairy farms,
and in exa minatio OF the condition. of milk
One skilled laborer, at $720. it is stated,
would materially increase the amount OF
work which the chemist and his assistant
could do. if he should be placed in the lab
oratory to perform merely mechanical du-
ties. Another new appropriation much de-
sired is an item of 500 for the salary Of an
assistant poundmaster, who shall have
charge of that institution during the abb
sence of the poundmaster.
Inspection Of Diaries.
In order that more frequent inspections
may be made of the cattle on dairy farms
throughout the District Maryland and vir-
ginia, whence the Districts milk supply is
drawn, 1t is recommended that the number
of inspectors in this service be increased
from four to six. These men are now Maid
81, 200 to 81 500 each.
Because recent enactments of Congress
have provided that every place where milk
is sold shall be de smed a dairy and shall be
Inspected. the health officer says that the
number of places requiring visits from the
three inspectors has been increased from
about 300 to 1000. and an addition of two
inspectors to this staff is desired. These
men are now paid 800 each. For next year
1t is asked not only that the number be in
creased. but that the salary OF each be aug
mented by 800. Two additional iaborers
at $40 per month are also wanted.
First on the list OF direct salary Increases
advocated is that Of Sumter Phillips. who
now draws 81 200. Mr.. Phillips It is said.
commonly IL employed beyond the regular
Office hours. and 1t is asked that his COM
pensation be made 81. 400.-
Other new items strongly advocated in
clude 5000 for enforcement of the act for
removal Of weeds from vacant lots: $500 for
maintenance of an additional pound wagon:
$500 for construction of roadways to the
smallpox hospital and quarantine station;
$4,000 for purchase OF a new site for the
pound and erection and equipment Of a
pound stable: 5000 for erection and eutfn-
ment OF a stable for the smallpox hospital
and $1,000 for operation of the public Gre
masory and public comfort stations. The
last paragraph in the estimates is devoted
to calling attention to the necessity for ell
Enlistment OF public baths throughout the
community, but there Is no request made
for appropriation OF a specific sum for their
construction.
E