The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-05-24
Health Department Inspect
ors Say Buildings
Menace Health.
MAJOR SYLVESTER
ASKS IMPROVEMENTS
Policemen and Prisoners Alike
Said to Have Been
Victims.

Disease and death Turk IN the sta
ton houses Of Washington. according
10 report on the sanitary conditions
OF these institutions following an in
Vesugation recently made by inspect
ors Of the Health Department
The buildings are said 10 be damp
and dirty and menace to the health
OF policemen and prisoners alike.
; Major Sylvester for years has urged
an appropriation for the Improvement
OF the station houses. Though this
has been recommended by the Com
nissioners, Congress up to the present
( time has done nothing toward their
betterment In the preparation If
their next annual estimates the Com
missioners will again give considera-
ton 10 the sGuest OF Mayor Sylvester
for an appropriation for this purpose.
taking Into consideration the report
of the Health Department on the sub
5ect.
Condemned Years Ago.
AS far back as 1903 Major Sylvester
declared TIE First precinct station house
10 be unfit COR the temporary confine-
ment Of persons, much less a donniciIe
for the members Of the force who must
sleep there on reserve duty"
This building said Major Sylvester
today, has been condemned by the
police surgeons. S+rong and hearty
members Of the force have succumbed
4 10 disease by having to make this build
and kindred troubles have resulted from
officers being housed there A modern
station should take its place.
The sixth precinct station is in need
a suitable place OF confinement for hui
man beings In the first place the
brick cells with their unsanitary and
repulsive plumbing should be torn out
and replaced with steel cells Of a mod
ern kind. and new plumbing should be
installed
WouId4 Rebuild Station.
The captain, OF that precinct says
that II is almost 1nhuman TO lock a per-
son UP IN this station from Saturday
until Monday, morning, and hardened
criminals who have served in prisons all
over the country state that it is the
worst place they have ever been In. The
whole structure should be torn down
and rebuilt to meet the demands Of a
present-day policer station"
The Third and Fourth precinct stations
are described as dark, and without
proper heating and sventilating facilities.
AL these buildings contain cells Of the
old type, which the health inspectors
say are poorly lighted and ventilated,
and which Major Sylvester says should
be replaced with the modern steel cages
Several Of the buildings used as sta
lions kpgere constructed years ago, and
while a rigid inspection shows that
everyl effort is made to keep them free
from IN anitary conditions, these efforts
are ayalling IN g. measure only" said
MAJ or- Sylvester.
the, health authorities. the police sur
geons,t and the citizens committees he
/ added, have condemned three Of these
/ houses, and IL is to be hoped tie situa-
ton win soon undergo a change for the
better
"A central police station should be
constructed In lieu Of the present First
( precinct, where the Police Headquarters
could be located, with all branches OF
/ the services concentrated. modern
building with latest improved places for
confinement Of prisoners, with an
armory, baths, detention room for
women, and sufficient office quarters
should be erected