Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-15
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.

OOEDOIdliOll OONAf ~C-
Alexandria, Va, Dec. 10, 1910.
Hon Louis G. Barley, Judge Corpora
ton Court, Alexandria, Va.
Sir. Pursuant to your instructions
with reference to an investigation by
this grand jury as to whether or not the
recommendations of the grand jury OF
March IS, 1908, have been carried out,
we beg to submit the. following report
ON this and other matters, which nave
heen brought to our attention.
We have personally visited and
thoroughly examined every place
named in this report, and the recon-
mendations herein submitted are solely
in the interest OF the general health,
and for the welfare and safety OF those
living in our city.
BRADDoCK HOUSE.
The recommendations OF the last
grand Jury have not been complied
with in any particular, and tins Jury
recommends further that an opening
no made at the south end OF the Fair
fax street wing on the top floor, leading
to the next floor, and two iron ladders
nlaced ON either side Of the opening
running to the second floor, thus giving
communication with the fire escape,
and also the door leading TO the south
Fairfax street entrance which We sug-
gest be opened at once; and we further
recommend that this door be made
swinging door. We also recommend
that the hose on the stand pipes be at
tached at all times and kept in good
condition, also water kept in stand
pipes when weather will permit. AT
the present time there are 100 people
accommodated there, and at times
many more. We suggest that the
recommendation OF the previous grand
Jury, as we'll as those made by us,
should be carried out at once. we re-
commend that the room in the base
ment. now used as stable. be discon-
tinued for that purpose. We further
suggest that the health officer make an
inspection OF this property once a
month. with a view to better sanitary
conditions.
OPERA HOUSE.
We recommend that the hose on tho
stage be renewed, as it is full OF holes,
and length increased to seyenty-hve
feet, with proper hose rack.
HOWELL SCHOOL BUILDING.
Your grand jury visited this build
ing and were astounded at the condi-
tons existing there. The atmosphere IN
the school rooms was foul, notwith-
standing the efforts of the superlnten-
dent to ventilate them. We found
these rooms over-crowded, there being
from 80 to So boys, ages ranging
from seven to thirteen years, in rooms
twenty by thirty feet. We are inform
ed that there are a large number OF
children on the waiting list who cannot
be accommodated in these grades. We
endorse the annual report OF the super
intendent OF schools in regard to
the Howell building, it reads as
| follows:
"The Howell Building in the Wash
ington School yard, is entirely unsuited
for school purposes. 1T Is unsightiy anu
very much in need of repairs, but L
think il would be a waste of money TO
attempt to put it in proper condition:
| We made il more comfortable, as well
as sanitary. last fall by putting in sys-
| tenn of ventilation, but the floor space is
entirely too limited for the number OF
pupils it has to accommodate. l fail TO
see any remedy for the conditions exist
ing i'm this building, except to replace 1t
by the erection of suitable building
! for school purposes as soon as you can
see your way clear to attempt the pro-
ject."
We desire to go further, by urging
that the city abandon the use OF this
building as soon as possible, as this
Jury believes that it is not only O fire
trap, but menace to the health OF the
children and teachers. We further
recommend that the outbuildings be re-
moved at once, and that the wells be
arched over.
SURPRISE THEATRE.
We recommend that the city engi-
neer be instructed without delay to in
spect this place with reference to the
arrangement OF seats, and require the
management to make any changes in
them that he may deem necessary for
the safety of the public.
POLICE FORCE.
We recommend that the police be
instructed to stop the practice Of the
inmates Of the houses on north Lee
street 10 going outside OF their houses
attifed in loose wrappers, and in other
ways making themselves conspicuous
while on the street.
We further recommend that greater
secrecy be maintained at the police
station and among the members OF the
police force on all business connected
herewith, as it has come to our know
ledge that the police force have freely
given out information to outsiders
which should have been withheld.
We further recommend that an extra
officer be kept at the station house in
addition to those in charge, day and
night, and also recommend that pa
troll wagon be purchased.
Respectfully submitted,