Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-26
Held Responsible for Insani.
tary Condition of Homes.
MUNICIPAL SCHOOL URGED
Board of Condemnation Wants In.
structions in Right Methods.
REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS
Conditions Attending Demolition,
Repair and Examination of Build
ings in the District.

Bad housekeeping and general neglect
are responsible for the insanitary condi-
tion Of many houses BY proper atten-
ton and care there would be no occasion
for such complaint.
This assertion Is made in its annual re-
port to the Commissioners today by the
board for the tohemnation of insanitary
buildings in the District.
In view of this condition-"unfortu-
nate as II is termed by the hoard-it has
recommended to the Commissioners that
some provision should be made for a
school where good and systematic house
keeping may be taught. The poor and
ignorant need such instruction TO aid
them in caring for themselves and their
homes. is the opinion of the board.
Such a school would mean much to the
city in the boards opinion. and II Is its
earnest desire that the Commissioners
make an effort during the coming winter
TO bring about the establishment OF the
Municipal Housekeeping school"
The members OF this board are Capt.
William Kelly. assistant Engineer Com
missioner: DR.. w. c. Woodward, health
officer and the building inspector of the
District. Roy Haines is the inspector for
the board
Much Work Done.
Much work was accomplished during
the year ended June 30 last. according TO
the report. During the year so houses
were examined. 341 were demolished and
100 were repaired by order of the board.
During the preceding year 449 houses
were examined 204 wre demolished and
81 repaired.
Since the creation Of this board by act
of Congress of June 80. 1906. $50 houses
have been examined, 545 demolished. 224
repaired and the disposition of 100 is
pending.
The board points with pride to the
number of houses demolished and re-
paired According to the figures 543
houses were raZed They were for the
most part old rickety, dilapidated build
ings. generally located in alleys, but often
situated on prominent thoroughfares and
public eyesores for many years
There were 1056 tenants who were
compelled to seek other quarters during
the past year because of the destruction
of buildings occupied by them. OF this
number go were adults and AT children.
OF the adults 4O3 of them were living in
houses situated on streets and 90 in
houses situated in alleys: Do of the chill
dren were living in houses in streets and
LOO in houses in alleys.
Since the creation of this board a total
of 1,614 persons have been made to find
other homes because buildings were judg-
Because of repairs made to houses by
order of the board during the past year
a total OF 600 tenants were benefited. or
this total 40 were adults and 100 were
children. The ma jority Of these persons
lived in houses situated on streets.
Value of Property.
The assessed valuation of the houses re-
moved in alleys during the fiscal year
1908 was $1s,9OO. and the assessed valua-
ton of the houses removed in streets was
SD 800. making a total valuation of S4O,-
500. The rental value per annum Of
houses removed in alleys during the year
was $4.45o and the rental value of houses
removed in streets was S12O41, making
total annual rental OF Sl6,502.
Many frame structures have been de-
moliShed that could have been repaired
and allowed to stand had the owners Of
them felt that the expenditure would have
been justified. On account of refusal or
neglect of owners, II was necessary for
the board to undertake itself TO remove
eight buildings. Three of these were in
alleys.
In such cases the bill for demolishing
the buildings is sent to the owners. Six
of these cases have been taken to court
by owners.
Special attention is still given to struc-
lures unprovided with sewer and water
connections. with view of removal or IL
the premises are in a condition TO justify,
to the making of such connections in
order to assist the health department in
eliminating box privies wherever posi-
BILE.
Numerous unfounded complaints have
been investigated based both upon neigh
borhood quarrels and a desire of the
tenant for revenge when notices are
served to vacate for the non-payment Of
rent all of which consumes time that
could be used to better advantage.
Bad Housekeeping.
In speaking of the bad housekeeping
and recommending a school for good
housekeeping the board reported:
Bad housekeeping and general neglect
is responsible for a great many houses
being brought to the attention of the
board. where by proper attention TO the
ordinary household duties there would be
no occasion for complaint. The throwing
of ashes and rubbish in the back yard
instead of placing in cans for authorized
collectors results in the yard being ele-
waited above the door in such a manner
that ventilation under the floor is pre-
vented and ii is possible for water to flow
in during rain and snow storms, causing
the floors to be damp
The habits of different tenants can be
better noted in rows of houses where
they occupied under the same general
conditions and the character of the houses
is practically the same One will be
found in a clean and sanitary condition:
nth ar will ha NIT