The Washington times., 1919-12-01

usual interest and activity in the
playground department, and an in
| creased attendance Is noted. Three
new grounds were opened during the
year, being located at S street, be-
tween Twenty-third and Bancroft
streets, known as Mitchell"
Shotts alley at First street. between
B and C streets northwest, known as
Shots Alley" and Mades play
| ground. at Eighth and l. streets
| northeast
| Twenty-six Fairgrounds were oper-
ated during the year. with an aver
| age daily attendance OF 1908. A re-
!, view OF the work on the grounds
during the past year is included in
the report. Folk dancing has stepped
out prominently in the numerous ac-
tivities. It Is said.
| A daily attendance Of several
thousand was recorded at the Mu-
nicipal Bathing Beach. Elementary
instruction classes for children were
organised. In addition, life-saving
and advanced swimming instructions
were taught and elementary swim
ming lessons were given to adults.
On some days as many as 1900 per-
sons were in the pools at the beach.
4
The report of the board OF trustees
of the free Public Library, the Com
missioners say, shows that in spite Of
the handicaps Of war conditions and
the influenza epidemic, the library has
continued to render public service OF
large extent and OF high quality, both
before and since the signing OF the
armistice.
At the close Of the year there were
216,eI0 books iu the library. The
total book cIess11attee MAS 7s5.13o
oaumes, ,ss nrss.s,n = - .s ssa.nss
attributed to the inAuenza epidemic
The report outlines the low salaries
being paid, in the library and states
| Congress has been asked directly to
make larger appropriation for the
| wages of these workers.
With the close of hostilities in
Europe the problems Of the Police De-
partment have increased, rather than
decreased. it Is stated. The depart
ment was somewhat handicapped In
its inability to secure men of the right
| character as police. This was due to
low salaries paid, as many men re-
signed from the force to seek better
positions.
The personnel of the department
consisted of s54 men. These men pa
trolled twenty-four hours a day 500
! miles of streets in the District
| Total arrests made by the police
numbered 53.35G. against 43,245 the
preceding year. OF this great number
arrested, S.f54 were for violation OF
the speed laws and s,543 for VIOLA
tion of traffic laws, a total of 16,G97
traffic cases.
The seriousness of the problem of
juvenile delinquency is shown, the re-
port says, by the fact that in 1919 it
was necessary to arrest 2,4T6 children
under seventeen years of age. These
children were charged with various
things, ranging from assaults and
attempts at housebreaking to the
turning in OF false fire alarms More
serious, however, Is the fact that 456
children were arrested for serious
crimes.
| Death Rate Increased.
Deaths due to traffic accidents de-
creased IL per cent during the past
year, making Washington one Of the
Few cities TO make such a report
Deaths totaled seventy-six, compared
to eighty-six the previous year.
The Fire Department has been un-
usually active in fire prevention cam
paigns during the year, and it is
asked that funds for this work be in
creased by Congress.
| A decrease in the number of fire
alarms and in the loss due to fires
is noted in the report. New motor
apparatus. replacing horses, is asked.
The two-platoon system, made ef-
fective last February, has been a
success. 1t Is working smoothly and
efficiently, and its installation has re-
suited in better conditions of labor
for the men and added efficiency for
the department.
The low salaries paid firemen, it is
pointed out mas caused many to leave
the service. An average of one man
every three days quit last year.
| Operations of the Health Depart-
ment are reviewed by the Commits
sioners. Increase in deaths in the
District is noted.
| Many persons were bitten by dogs
last year. The Commissioners re-
newed their proclamation recurring
muzzling Of dogs.
| Five hundred and seventy-nine bod
les were cremated during the year.
The total cost of maintenance of the
public crematorium was s1,9O4.
Review of Operntioua
A review of the operations OF the
clinics of the District is contained in
[ the report.
Thousands of milk samples were
analysed during the year. Thousands
of inspections of lunch rooms, soda
fountains, and other places where
| food is served. were made.
The total number Of dogs received
during the year were 4.9I0. Does 4,
the number of 1,79s were csptured.
| while running at large in vioIa,.-
of the law.
The penal commission has approved
plans for permanent buildings at the
District reformatory at Lorton, Va.
and appropriations have been requesr-
ed for these structures, 1t is stated
Announcement il made Of the OPERA
| tion Of the jall, District Reformato-v