The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-12-04


crease in major crimes has failed to
occur.
THE members of the department,
however, have experienced an ex'
tremely busy year In the ENFORCE
ment Of the prohibition and traffic
laws, as well as the various regula'
lions relating to minor attractions
of law, and arrests from those
sources show a material increase
over those for the preceding year.
Losses In Fires.
A total loss of $1.179.s03 by fire
10 estimated In the report. Approx
mately one-half Of this loss was
caused by two fires. the Nationai
Hotel on October Fl. 1871. loss
April %. 1922, loss $400,0S1.
The Fire Department. the Com
missionsrs advise. at the present
time has no proper facilities for
the training of it's members In the
saving of life and property from
fire. They express the hope that
| Congress will in the near future
grant an appropriation for the cree
ton of a drill tower. requests Tor
which have been made by them In
the past.
Another need OF the fire depart.
ment is additional motor apparatus
to take the place of apparatus now
drawn by sixty horses maintained
by the department.
In reviewing the Knickerbocker
| disaster the following comment Is
made: despite the severe weather
conditions which existed the work
of rescue at the Knickerbocker dis
aster was carried out with dispatch.
and the work Of the fire department
and the police department fs a
source OF great qualification to the
| Commissioners Cordial apprecia-
| ton Ia also extended to all indi-
viduals and organizations whose as
sistarce was so cheerfully and
efficiently given during that time
Of calamity"
The general death rate for the
calendar year 1921 was 1884, being
the lowest death rate ever re-
corded in the history Of the health
department, the report states.
The most potent causes of death
during the year. arranged in order
OF relative influence on the death
rate were pneumonia. organic heart
/ disease. pulmonary tuberculosis, in
nant growths, and apoplexy.
Charities Needs Cited.
In behalf OF the Board of Chart.
| ties the Commissioners recommend
the following:
The enactment of a comprehen-
sive statute governing the penal in
situations and providing for an in
determinate sentence and parole
/ system.
Additional appropriations for build
ings at the new Gallinger Hospital.
! The first buildings recently COM
pleted there will care only for per-
sons held for observation and treat
ment because Of mental conditions.
! Additional buildings should be erect.
ed until all the patients housed in
the old Washington Asylum Hos
pital are provided for.
| Erection of a nurses home at the
tuberculosis Hospital as the nurses
and staff must now live In the gen
efal hospital building where the
patients are housed.
That the Commissioners be given
authority to receive pay patients at
the tuberculosis Hospital and at
the psychopathic wards OF the Gal
linger Hospital.
A total of 20.266 men and women
were placed in suitable employment
during the past year by the public
employment bureau appointed by
the Commissioners last October.
The cost has been san cents per
person for whom employment was
obtained.
More Parks Sought.
More parks are urged by the
Commissioners. There Is no link in
the chain Of parks in the District,
the report states. so important as
the Klingle road valley. This Is
covered with most beautiful trees,
and will connect Potomac Park and
the Mall on the south with Rock
| Creek Park on the north without
passing through Geological Park.
II this link Is acquired 1t win
complete the park system from the
south end of Potomac Park to the
north end Of Rock Creek Park.
which is the north end of the Dis.
trict, making one Of the most beau
tiful chains of parks in any city
of the country. The enactment of
legislation to acquire the civil war
forts. and fort drive connecting
the same. is a matter that should
be considered.
Because of the many new houses
being built. the amount of refuse
to be collected has increased very
materially. This condition requires
added expenditure for this work as
well as new equipment. repairs TO
plant, and added facilities not per.
mitted by previous appropriations.
The act to regulate the height,
area, and use Of buildings, common.
" known as the zoning law. the
report continues, and the reguia.
tons promulgated Hereunder. are
generally received with favorable
recognition and an apparent desire
on the part OF the public to con.
form Herewith.
Zonhg Clerks Needed.
As this office is charged with
the responsibility OF administering
the zoning law It is regretable that
the office has no clerks who may
be assigned to this work. The
present method Is to transfer EN-.
ployes from other departments.
satisfactory administration ur>
gently dictates an increase Of the
clerical force Of this department
by at least three men. Attention
4 IN invited to the fact that the re.