Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-04


local alarms. The total estimated loss by
fire during the year was SOC, 200. or 12h
per cent Of the total insurance, an increase
as compared with the fiscal year 1903 when
the total estimated loss was $221.132.Oo Inc
highest estimated loss during the year was
$40 90, growing out of fire at the boys
reform school.
The chief engineer reports that by re.
quest he has inspected large number OF
federal buildings, including the Wnite
House. the government printing once, the
Government Hospital for the Insane. the
United States civil service commission, the
bureau of education, the Post Office De-
partment, the Department of Agriculture,
the geological survey Convention Hall,
Of necessary apparatus for proper fire pro-
lection. In almost every instance the rec
concentrations of the chief engineer have
been adopted. -.f
Insurance Matters.
The functions of the department of insur-
ance have been discharged as well as was
possible with the means at its command
and its work Is as well forward as could De
expected. although additional provision for
actuarial and appraisal services should De
made. Notwithstanding the limited and de-
fective character Of the insurance Iegisia-
ton in the District code and the fact tina!
when 1t began Its work four years ago 1t
had only a superintendent and one clerk.
and has not yet the STAN that 1t requires,
the department mas accomplished MUCH VI
the object of the legislation in its super
vision of the Insurance business and the
protection Of the public and the companies.
The preparation of a bill for complete
insurance law for the District of Column
bia, begun by the superintendent OF insur-
ance, has been merged in the similar work
I'm which the superintendent of insurance
has had a large parD OF all the superintend-
ents OF insurance and commissioners OF In
surance Of the United States. and 1t Is
hoped that their labors may soon result in
the completion of a draft of model law
| which be submitted to Congress for
| the District of Columbia. Meanwhile. the
superintendent Of insurance reiterates his
| recommendation that emergency legislation
be provided for.
Since the creation of this department in
1902 1O5 insurance companies have either
been refused licenses or expelled from the
District for various reasons. This has re-
suited in establishing confidence in the in
surance companies Of all kinds doing busi-
| ness here as evidenced by the fact that
there was paid for premiums on life and
casualty insurance alone in 1905. $S33. $50. 30
more than during 1902, the year the depart
ment was esta bliShed.
More companies, of all kinds. have made
applica ton for license to do business here
thus far during the current year than for
any two years heretofore.
The assets of all insurance corporations
transacting business in the District on De-
cember 81, 1905, amounted to $3,OIS. IT,
343.67: liabilities 50. 49, $50. 1929; surplus,
including capital 1892 CO. 161. 0S.
There was paid for premiums in the Dis
trict for insurance of all kinds during 1908.
S4.S14.3S6.4i. The losses paid by all COM
panies amounted TO s1,G21. 2sS.57 The
| amount of insurance written during the year
was S151, OH, 3G656.
Distribution of Supplies.
The purchase and distribution of all ma
terials and supplies is effected through the
Office of the property clerk and during the
year many changes have been inaugurated
with view to economy and the simplif1ca-
ton and expedition of business. During the
year the amount expended for supplies and
construction material aggregated S1,O25.-
656.37
One of the subjects to which especial at
tention was given was the advsability of
purchasing coal direct from the mines. The
idea was found to be impracticable, owing,
partly, to inability to procure the necessary
storage facilities. The method Of inviting
bids on fuel was, however, changed so as
to afford dealers unable to handle large
contracts an opportunity to quote prices for
the delivery of coal to school buildings, sta
tion houses, etc. contiguous to their re-
spective yards. 1t is a satisfaction to re-
port that the Commissioners secured prices
below the cost of coal during the preceding
year.
The Commissioners have again asked for
an appropriation of LOCO for the censtruc-
ton of wharf on the river front,for the
storing of sand and gravel. This is needed
for use primarily in the handling of sand
and gravel, but there are other kinds of
construction materials which might be pur-
chased more economically If the District
government had facilities for receiving ship
ments by water.
An appropriation OF $4,000 is desired for
the erection of suitable warehouse for the
storage of cement. AS large quantities of
this material are being constantly pur-
chased and distributed, suitable store
house is great necessity. especially as the
one now in use is in a bad and dangerous
condition. 1t would be preferable to have
such warehouse located on the line of
railroad. not only for the purpose of con-
venience of handling, but also on account of
the saving to the District in the price of
the cement, the contractors furnishing this
commodity being compelled to charge
greater price on account of having to haul
from the cars to the District warehouse.
A general storehouse for District supplies
is greatly needed. and its establishment
would be in the line of effective and eco
nomical administration.
The Health Service.
The health department, suffering from a
constant addition to its duties by law and
regulation. without a corresponding in
crease in its staff. has. notwithstanding,
rendered efficient service IL the protection
of the health of the community, especially
by the improvement of it's sanitation during
the past year.
The law enacted by Congress on the rec
concentration Of the Commissioners at the
last session for the regulation of the prac-
tfce of pharmacy and the sale of poisons
has already produced a decided improve
ment in the conditions 1t was prepared by
the board Of pharmacy, based upon legisla-
ton elsewhere. together with the sugges-
tons Of experts. and has proved that it was
greatly needed and is of special value
The general death rate for the District of
Columbia during the calendar year 1905 was
1920 per 1000, which Is somewhat better
than the corresponding figures for the pre-
ceding year. The improvement Is due, how
ever, wholly to a diminution In the death
rate OF whites. which fell from 1903 to
1916. The death rate for the colored pop
ulation rose from 27.92 to 2S.S1. An exhaus-
tive study of the death rate prevailing
among persons dwelling in alleys as COM
pared with the death rates of the street
population was begun during the past year
| So far 1t has failed to bear out the popular
| ideas concerning the unwholesomeness of
| alleys For among colored people living in
| alleys the death rate was 49, while among
| those living on streets 1t was $3.50; and
| among the white alley dwellers the death
| rate was but A3 2S, while among persons of the
| same race residing on streets the death rate
| was 1917. These figures. however, are not
regarded as in any way diminishing the
| necessity for opening, extending, widening
| and Strengthening of alleys since such Inn