The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-03

the same as in the preceding year.
Convictions were obtained in 93.3S
per cent OF the total arrests made.
The total fire losses for the year
were only sos, PSI. a decrease OF
S230,53 from the losses OF the pre-
vious year.
The Commissioners express the
hope that the Fire Department equip.
ment will be completely motorIzd
within two years and the use Of
horses discontinued.
The Commissioners agree with the
trustees OF the free Public Library
that library facilities should be ex-
tended to the entire population OF the
District by the creation OF separate
branch libraries, supplemented by
branches in public schools.
The public CT"matorium disposed OF
$50 bodies during the year, the ma
jority OF them hodirs of persons who
had died OF communicable diseases
and OF the poor. There were Gre
mated thirty-eiGht bodies at private
expense. The q st OF the institu-
ton was $3.50 fCr the year, with
1915 received for private cremation.
Only . to G per cent Of dead in the
District are creTnsted.
Deaths IN the District numbered
6.494, a death rate II - % per thous-
and. The number % births vas 1888,
a birth rate OF 2O16 per thousand.
The eighth nur law for women
operated so well that only nine vio-
lations were rePsr.ed.
Pound Got 6913 "Pets.T
A total OF 3.O25 dogs and 1884
cats passed through the pound: three
cases OF rabid dogs were reported
and seven persons were bitten by
these dogs. recs!ving treatment at
the hygienic laboratory.
There are 1o.24U street, lamps in
the District: GI.C3s brick buildings
and 20, 700 fraraA buildings. New
buildings Constructed numbered ,436.
The Commissioner say that there
is great need Of additional force TO
investigate and place children COM
ing under the board OF children's
guardians. On June 80 last the board
had under its caro- 700 childten.
The Commissioners refer to tho
serious problem Of disposal OF city
refuse. They ask Congress for au-
thOrity to enter into contract for
the collection AMI disposal Of garbage
and trash for a UCTiOd not to exceed
ten years, the contract to contain
provisions that tho plants to be con-
structed under the contract shall be-
come the property OF the District in
ten years; that the garbage disposal
plants shall be located on District
property at BlIs Plains and Other
plants necessary IN property to be
acquired under condemnation pro-
ceedings. An approx ration OF SO 900
IN asked for the employment OF eN-
ports in preparing pins and specI-
fications.
Attention is called to shortage In
appropriations for eleven school and
public buildings. heretofore detailed
in The Times.
Great Waste of Water,
Emphasis Is laid upon the great
waste OF water In Government build
ings which are not fitted with con.
densation machinery. II is officially
stated that the Government Printing
office, the State, War and Navy De
partments and the navy yard waste
4.OOO.OOO gallons OF water daily. Tn
less something Is done to stop this F.
waste the extension OF the water sys
tenn 10 Fort Myer and other Virginia |
places should be limited.
In the interest OF proper sanitation |
and OF the fish life of the Potomac |
provision must be made for additional |!
sewage disposal. A limit Is being |
reached In tho capacity OF the Poto- |
mac river to satisfactorily purify the
sewage OF Washington by natural /
processes and there was a big de-
crease In the oxygen Of the water he |
low Washington this year. oxygen
tests year by year indicate a pro
sresslve drop In oxygen sufficiently