Evening star., 1918-12-02
Workhouse and Reformatory.

During the past year the engineer
ing and construction work at the
workhouse and >reformatory located
at Occoquan. Va, has been conducted
under unusual difficulties Owing to
the passage Of the prohibition law
the population Of these institutions
was reduced and few men from
prisoners who could be used on the
work. Skilled labor was difficult
to obtain on account OF tho competi-
ton with military construction work
at Camp Humphreys. Va, a few miles
away. For these reasons. work which
should have been completed in six
months has taken over a year, At
tention is invited to the report Of the
construction engineer showing the
cost Of the several buildings and
other work undertaken during the
year. The; frame buildings which
were erected in 1907 and 1908 were in
tended as temporary structures. and.
snort-term men, they are Inadequate
and poorly adapted for lonK-term
men. The municipal architect, under
whom the construction work is
placed, recommends that the present
frame buildings be encased in brick
permitting tho use OF the present
structures until moro permanent and
comfortable buildings are Completed.
Plumbing and Plumbing Inspection
During the year the plumbing Of
noe made 1856 Inspections, compared
with S6,1S9 during tho preceding
year. 1t is estimated that the total
cost Of new plumbing work installed
IN private buildings was $755.215, and
OF repairs and remodeling work,
$301,415. The average numher ~ In
spections per day per man, field In
spection force, was eight and one
third. and the greatest number In any
one day by any one man was thirty
five.
Under the compulsory drainage act,
twenty-four cases were forwarded by
the health department and other
branches Of the District government
for the installation OF sewer and wa
ter in those instances where the own
er had failed to do the work after
notice served upon him. In nine OF
these cases the work was done by
the owner or agent. in nine Of them
the work was done by the District OF
Columbia and the cost assessed
against tho property. and there are
nineteen cases pending. In flve Of
these further action IL suspended. a.
tne buildings arc not now occupied.
Plumbing Board.
During the year the plumbing
the examination Of candidates Tor Tor
license as master plumber and gas
litter. The total number examined
was seventeen. The number of
original candidates examined for
license for master plumber and gas
OF the thirteen who had been prevt-
ousiy examined for license, one passed
and twelve failed.
Inspection Of Steam Boilers.
The number Of steam boilers in
spected by the inspector of steam
boilers during the year was $50. In
Guiding twenty-seven for the District
demned as unit for further use. The
compensation OF this ohiciai is re-
ceived from fees paid by the owners
Of the boilers The total amount Of
tees reported By him during the year
spection 333O, leaving 9 net ccmpen-
sation to him Of 31.s35.
Examination Of Steam Engineers.
The board OF examiners Of steam
engineers held nfty-fve examinations
and examined 1874 applicants. OF whom
forty-four were found competent and
ninety not. The board also conducted
examinations Of applicants for per-
mits Of operators Of automobiles and
motor cycles.
Public Convenience Stations.
The four public convenience sta
tions located at 7th street and Penn
sylvania avenue. 1914 street and
Pennsylvania avenue and eth and K
streets northwest and 18th and H
streets northeast were operated dur
ing the year from am. to midnight
working nine hour0 per day. The 70
,eipts from pay compartments
amounted to $5,7z2.96. Plans for
q nth station a. sth and F streets