Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-30
CONFER ON CARE
OF c|TY'S DRINKS
Commissioners and Citizens
Take Up Bill for Inebriate
Hospital.
SEVERAL CHANGES MADE
IN ORIGINAL MEASURE
Hoped to Place Proposed Institu-
ton on Self-Support-
ing Basis.

Toe Seuatc hin. introduced by Senator
smith al Maryland. providing an inepri-
ate hospital for the District of Column
ba was discussed at "A meeting of the
District commissioners today. the meet
ing being attended by Dr. Percy Hick-
ing and by representatives of the
Board Of Trade.
The bill, which would make drunk
cness in the District of Columbia a
msdemeanor, and which further would
provide for the establishment in the
District OF Columbia of a hospital where
nabituaI drunkards or inebriates could
he confined for treatment. was consid-
cred in all its aspects, and one or two
amendments We're submitted after
lengthy discussion.
One of Amendments.
one of these amendments seeks to
change the wording of the original BILL
which simply says that no person shall
DC drunk habitually and Unexpectedly
etc. 50 that the bill would read:
That any person who from the eXceS-
siNe use of alcohol is unable to manage
his or her affairs, or ii lie exposes him
self or his family to the danger of want
or endangers the safety of others or ii
any person uses opium. cocaine or any
similar substance, or any compound or
dNAtNd lucIttl, III the OF To-
Iunbia. such person or persons are here
by declared to be inebria ties. and shall be
punishable by confinement in the hos pital
Tor inebriatas for not more than two
years.
amendment was adopted To section
q Of the original bill. providing that in
mates OF the inebriate hospital shall be
required TO work when able, the amend
ment simplifying the section and being
designed to add TO its strength. The
amendment reads:
THAT the inmates of said hospitaI shall
DC required 10 work by the superintend-
ent thereof at such useful occupations
as said superintendent may determine
whenever. in the Judgment of said SUI
perintendent. said inmates are able so to
do. and for the labor of each inmate so
employed or for the product of such la
bor there shall be credited to him the
reasonable market value thereof
Pay for Maintenance.
From the amount so credited there
shall be deducted an amount sufficient
10 pay the cost of maintaining said in
mate in said institution. unless other
arrangements be made by said inmate
or those responsible for his mainte-
rance for the payment of such mainte-
nance. OF the balance then remaining
II any, one-half shall be paid to such
PCiSoH dS the court may nave named
or may name for that purpose, to be
used for the care and maintenance of
those dependent upon such inmate for
support.
And the balance remaining. after
such payment. shall be kept to the
credit of said inmate and paid over to
him upon his discharge from said in
stttution. And should any inmate of
said hospital refuse or fail TO work
when directed by the superintendent cf
said hospital to do the said superin-
tendent may deprive him of such of the
privileges and accommoda tons of said
hospital as. in the Judgment of said su-
perintendent. may not he necessary for
the proper care and treatment of the
inmate refusing to work. whenever
and so long as such refusal or failure
shall continue