Evening star., 1946-11-27
Commissioners Voice
Satisfaction With
County AImshouse

Complete satisfaction with the
operation of the county almshouse
was expressed by the Prince Georges
County Commissioners, following
an inspection of that institution,
near Forestvilie, Yesterday after
noon.
The investigation by the county
heads followed complaints on con-
ditions at the almshouse by a
Washington minister, who recon-
mended that the county could do
better for the old people"
The minister, the Rev. Herbert
A. Nunley, pastor Of the Trinity
Church Assembly Of God, 916 F
street NE, made his complaints
after visiting the almshouse No
yember II to conduct a church
service there. He lives at 500 Land
over road, Cheverly, Md.
Criticizes Fire Hazards.
Charging that "at least five in
mates had died there last month" "
the Rev. Mr.. Nunley said his first
objection was the lack Of an at
tending nurse. He also criticized
medical care, the location of the
institution, fire hazards and the beds.
'The commissioners should have
to sleep in those BEDS" Mr.. Nunley
declared last night, when informed
of their inspection
Reporters who visited the aims
house yesterday along with the COM
found the place clean
and received no complaints from
any of the 10 inmates, who include
four women and two colored men.
An 82-year-old inmate who has
been a resident Of the almshouSe
for. Is years, told reporters: Il get
everything I want" Similar re-
sponses were received by the others
who range in age from 68 to 81.
! william A. Carson, president of
the Board Of Commissioners, stated
after making the inspection that the
five members of the board were
perfectly satisfied with the aims
house.
Melvin H. Moore, 80, superintend-
ent of the institution for the last
10 years, said inmates are admitted
to the almshouse after being certi-
fed by the County Welfare Board.
-Four other employees assist Mr..
Moore.
Gives Typical Menu.
The superintendent said two
meals a day are served-breakfast
and dinner-with inmates permitted
to have coffee and sandwiches for
supper if they want them. Typi-
cal meals include eggs and either
sausage or scrapple with cooked or
dry cereal and milk or coffee for
breakfast, and potatoes, meat and
vegetable for dinner, he explained.
The home is located on a dirt
road, / mile from the Ritchie road,
between Ritchie and Forestville.
The commissioners yesterday
found the modern-equipped kitch-
en-, which has two electric re-
frigerators and a gas range, in a
spotless condition. Most rooms In
the main building contained four
beds.
Mr.. Moore's father, H. E. Moore,
was superintendent before him for
% years. The almshouse is more
than 100 years old, Mr.. Moore said.
Previous objections against the
fire hazards had been voiced by the
County Circuit Court grand juries
last April and in October. Cor
rective measures are being taken
against fire, MIR. Carson said. Metal
fire extinguishers have been ordered,
and so have metal fire escapes to
replace the present wooden ones.
DR.. John T. Maloney Of Cheverly,
physician appointed by the county
to care for needs Of the almshouse,
said the people aare very well taken
care Of"
The recent deaths, he said, re-
suited from lingering illnesses com
mon to old people"
Mr.. Nunley, who forwarded his
objections to the States attorney,
said $21 900 of the 1916 taxes were
used for the almshouse expendi-
ture, according to tax bill he paid
on October 81. He recommended
that the almshouse be moved to q
more accessible location and that
more funds be appropriated II neces-
80, -, < ~, y,voviSa fnr f1,A old r,eorle