Evening star., 1908-01-25
HEALTH OF CLERKS SUFFERS
POORLY VENTILATED ROOMS IN
THE DEPARTMENTS.
Explanation of How the Govern
ment Would Gain by the Erection
of Buildings.

'"The question Of ventilation in the de-
partments is always yeXatous one' the
window problem being a matter which IS
never satisfactorily solved. said chiel
OF division recently. land now that grip
is SO prevalent among the clerks IL IS
more annoying than ever.
I'm many of the older departmental
buildings that question was evidently
never. considered. the old-time architects
probably proceeding upon the theory and
practice that il one wanted air the win
dows were to be opened. and If air was
not desired they were to be closed. In
some OF the newer buildings attempts at
the solution of the matter have been
made, but with Indifferent success. The
original designs Of the Post ONCE De-
partment building provided for scheme
of ventilation through the lower portion
of the window easements. but they proved
so drafty and altogether unsatisfactory
that an Of the windows We're remodeled
at a cost of several thousand dollars
and the regulation old-fashioned silis and
easements were instituted.
"a considerable percentage of the gov
ernment's clerical force is now laid up
with colds and the grip. and the loss of
time at the beginning of the year. when
the work is always heavy. is a serious
one. Much of the difficulty in the de-
of rooms. for in most of the departments
there are to room twice as many clerks
with accompanying desks, file cases. ETC..
as should be permitted were cubic feet
of breathing space alone considered.
Cause of Illness.
Indeed, We're there laws governing
such matters. with inspectors to enforce
them, as in some factory cities. the gov
ernment would find itself in the embar
RAISING position of being nulched by its
own laws. Such not being the case the
clerks in hundreds of Instances are
packed like sardines in cramDed quarters,
and the ventilation problem in these
rooms becomes paramount one.
AS clerks are not permitted to move
from their desks for many reasons. from
official order to lack of additional room in
which to turn around. and are required to
remain seated or a work thereat, ii will
be seen that drafts cannot be endured
though hundreds of clerks are annually
laid up from time to time. their services
being lost to the government and their
leaves being lost to them from this cause
alone.
In addition to inconvenience and i'll
ness by reason of the open window ques-
ton sharp personal animosities and often
bitter feuds result. as few clerks can
stand steady draft o. cold air blowing
upon their heads or along the floor across
their feet. though there are some clerks
whose physique seems to be composed OF
asbestos and nard wood and who are i'm
pervious to weather conditions. This
class. known as fresh air fiends.' precip-
itate contests with the .sensitiveS' who
are susceptible to colds. and thus the fight
goes merrily on from year to year.
In many rooms. however. the clerks
have solved the problem by agreement
among themselves that by Unanimous
consent the windows may be opened at
any time. and remain open until the room
is aired thoroughly This gives the 'sensi-
tlves' and those Who may he indisposed
from colds or other causes an opportunity
to leave the room while the airing process
is going on, and the fresh air fiends' are
appeased. In many of the bureaus in the
different departments this rule, which is
about as satisfactory as the unfavorable
circumstances permit. has been incorpor-
ated into mandatory official order from
the head of the bureau that the windows
shall be compulsorily opened for five min
utes twice during the day, at IL am and
40 pm., say. and some o. the 'stick-to-
desk clerks, who otherwise could not be
dragged away with rope and tackle.
have to vacate and give the others
chance for breath of fresh air, or run
the risk of illness.