Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-16

Benefits to Be Derived.
With the exception of the Capitol.
Library. the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives Office buildings on the east
and the buildings in the Mall on the
south, all the principal public buildings
would have the benefit of this protec-
tion and this means much to government
property, which is not insured. The ex-
cepted buildings could be included by a
slight addition to the cost, and the sys-
tern. when once installed, could be eX-
tended to other sections at a compare
lively small outlay. and could possibly. in
the future. If necessary, be supplement-
ed by other systems for other sections
SO that ultimately very cOnSidera BILE
additional area would have adequate fire
protection by this means. In view of the
Confia gTations which from time TO time
have visited other cities this. or some
thing like this would seem TO be neces
SitN.
The system at present proposed
would afford about 4tS hydrants, capa BILE
Of throwing six streams each. any one of
which could top the highest building in
the business section.
1T will be entirely separate from the
present water supply system, and can be
maintained at hut small annual expense
when once established.
Methods in City Sanitation.
Referring to city sanitation. President
Small says a conference on city planning
was held here last May which aroused
much interest in connection with the
evils resulting from past unscienti1c
methods OF city planning and buildings.
The discussions of this conference
comprehended number of propositions
for reformation. the most important OF
which were the conversion of alleys into
minor streets. the reclamation OF the An
acostia flats, the development of the
L. ir1rr lnSc ohN aad NJ
OF the city and the Improvement of the
water front Fortunately. in some re-
spect, our city was originally planned
with exceptional ability and foresight.
Our board is already on record as in IA
vor of improving public alleys by con-
verting them into minor streets and of
the destruction OF insanitary buildings.
These reforms. together with the erec
ton of improved dwellings to be rented
at such low rates as to bring them with
i'll the reach of the poorest man. will do
much toward eliminating the evils re-
ferred to.
Large Number of Alley Residents.
Although Washington does not suf-
fer as much from the existence OF
Sums or the congestion of population
many other cities, yet some of the
exhibits displayed at the conference
indicated that there is much that
might b. improved. 1t is estimated
that of our population of 100000. about
1000 reside in alleys. and unless a
radical reformation Is made. this pro-
portion is likely to continue in
crease; for as long as the law permits
alley tenements, they will have occu-
pants, and these will probably be
crowded, as they are now in many
cases. into unwholesome quarters.
where they will not only be liable TO
disease, but will in that respect be a
menace to the health of people con-
tiguously situated. who endeavor to OBJ
serve the laws of health. The remedy
for the evil would seem to be to allow
no dwellings to exist or be constructed
except upon streets that are lighted
and paved, and that are provided with
water and sewers. This whole subject
is one that should be given our con-
tinued and most enlightened considera-
ton.
The report of the homes commits
sion appointed by the President of the
United States on the improvement of
existing houses. and the elimination of
insanitary and alley houses, on sociaf
betterment. on building regulations,
etc. was transmitted to Congress by
the President on the Sth of January.
1909. 1t contains the results of the
best and most modern thought on the
subject treated of, and it's fecommenda-
lions should receive the most careful
, cons Iteration
Conditions at District Jail.
The distressing condition existing at
the District Jail and the workhouse has
from time to time been brought to the at
tention of the proper committees of Con-
gress. not only by this beard. but by rep
resentative citizens. happy result of
this agitation of the matter was the ap-
continent by President Roosevelt Of
commission, consisting of Judge Wendall
II. Stafford, John Joy Edison and Robert
V. La Dow. representing the general gov
eminent. the municipality and the citizens
OF the District. who, after making a thor
ough investigation of the subject, in the
course OF which they visited many of the
penal institutions of other cities. submit
ted an exhaustive report, which was ap-
proved by the President and by him
transmitted To Congress. When the recon-
mendations of this report shall have been
carried out, IL Is believed that the evils
so long endured will thereby be remedied
and that future necessities will be pro-
vided for.
If appropriate resolutions. were presented
by the chairman of the committee on
charities and corrections, Mr.. Thomas &.
Moves, to the full board at a meeting
held January 81. 1909. which then unani-
mously approved the recommendations i'm
the report of the commission. and ten
dered its members cordial thanks for
their able and valuable work.
Prompt Action by Congress.
I'm pursuance OF these resolutions the
action of the board was made known by
it's executive officers to the Senate and
House OF Representatives. with the re-
quest that the appropriations asked for
be made without delay. and that the rec
concentrations comprehended in the re-
port he given the sanction of Law as soon
as the subject could be given intelligent
consideration. No time was lost by Con-
gress in complying with these requests,
for by the act approved March g 1907,
the necessary appropriation was made
and the District Commissioners were au-
thorized to purchase two tracts OF land
widely separated. OF not less than COO
acres each. either or both to be in Mary
land OF Virginia. one of them to be used
site for a reformatory, accommodate
ing not less than a thousand inmates
and for workhouse sufficient for at
least so prisoners, and to build suitable
temporary structures each tract.
The act further provides for the ap-
pointment of commission of three per-
sons. one OF the District Commissioners
being constituted the chairman. with au-
thority To employ an architect for the
preparation of the necessary plans and
specifications, and 10 construct for per-
manent use proper buildings for both the
reformatory and workhouse when ap-
preparations therefor shall have been
made"
Independence Day Observance.
AS to the safe and sane Fourth OF July
President Small says: 1T seems to be a