normal milk distribution arrangements only during the period April 4 through April 9. A survey of the disturbance areas on the afternoon of April 7 indicated the extensive nature of the damage to food and drug establishments. More than 1,200 visits were made over the next two weeks to 935 premises where food and drug businesses had been interrupted by the disturbance. Of these, 216 had been in buildings which were demolished and which will have to be entirely rebuilt before any business can be resumed. For all practical purposes, at least 120 of these establishments are out of business. Another 467 interrupted businesses could not resume without some time consuming repairs to the buildings or the equipment, some of which are still under way. Another group of 252 businesses had reopened by April 21, having repaired the minor damage and completed necessary decontamination operations. The disposal of damaged food and drugs was monitored to make sure that none reentered the normal trade channels. In many cases, the damaged food was mixed with debris from the demolished building. The Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, provided personnel who worked closely with the Bureau of Food and Drugs. These personnel assumed responsibility for disposal of damaged drugs and for the decontamination of salvable drugs damaged by tear gas. A number of the destroyed buildings which had housed food businesses and which had become sources of food for rats, were baited and some were sprayed for fly control. In a few cases, deodorizing agents were applied to reduce odors. Reports of broken water lines were relayed to the Department of Sanitary Engineering in order that the water supplies to the damaged buildings could be cut off. Soon after the disturbance, samples were collected from the water supply in the areas of disturbances and checked for adequacy of residual chlorine and bacteriological indications of contamination. Residual chlorine concentrations were found to be adequate and no indications of contamination were found. There remained the problem of the demolished buildings in which the rubble mixed with food is serving to feed rats, is the breeding place of flies, and a source of noisome odors. In most cases, neither the former business operators nor the property owner has assumed responsibility for cleaning up the debris. This situation was called to the attention of the appropriate offices of the District Government immediately after the disturbance and on several occasions since then and suggestions have been made for possible ways in which the District Government could assure the early clean-up, possibly by actively participating. Although a few contracts have been let by the District Government, demolition and disposal of debris is proceeding slowly in a handful of the 200 buildings, many of which can be expected to become increasingly more serious problems with the passage of time. D. ESTIMATED COST OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACTIVITIES RELATED TO CIVIL DISTURBANCE, APRIL 1968 E. Non-Hospital Estimated Costs 1. Personnel Compensation : Office, Director of Public Health__. Procurement and Supply Division- Total Administration__~ 2. Planning and Research: Program Review and Development Division__ Estimated cost $851 6, 219 184 7,254 174 326 2,048 279 1, 747 4,400 Total medical care and non-hospital estimated cost-- 1 Absorbed by D.C. Dept. Public Health. 1 1 22, 049 85,310 G. Additional support to D.C. government Department of Defense. Contract and Freedmen's Hospitals. Medical Committee for Human Rights Volunteers. A. Funding VI. POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN To date, no additional appropriations have been provided. The Department of Public Health has informed the contract and Freedmen's Hospitals that the District Government cannot assume financial responsibility for treatment of patients connected with the Poor Peoples' Campaign at their hospitals. B. Medical Activities-Current and Proposed The Medical Committee for Human Rights (volunteers composed of physicians, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, nursing assistants and clerical staff) has the primary responsibility for medical care, food sanitation and general environmental sanitation. The responsibility of the D.C. Department of Public Health will be limited to assistance to the Medical Committee for Human Rights in those areas where they do not have adequate resources. C. D.C. Department of Public Health Assistance 1. We are loaning two medical trailers and one public health nurse at Resurrection City; and one public health nurse for consultation and referral of health problems at St. Stephen's Church. 2. The Southwest Health Center will be available for medical examination of campers of Resurrection City. 3. Patients needing inpatient or outpatient treatment or diagnostic work-up are being referred to D.C. General Hospital. Diagnostic laboratory services are available at the Departments Central Laboratory. 4. The Department of Public Health cannot neglect its public health responsibility to protect the health of all persons, regardless of whether they are residents or visitors. We are participating in an immunization program against measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and small pox. 5. We are engaged in tuberculin skin testing, chest xray and serology surveying. D. Environmental Health 1. Sanitation. To protect the health environment, the Department is supervising and monitoring the water supply, sewage disposal, trash and garbage collection, and insect and rodent control. 2. Food. To protect the food supply, prevent contamination and spoilage, the D.C. Department of Public Health is supervising and monitoring the sources, preparation and transportation serving the people. E. To carry out the above responsibilities in Section VI, C and D We have assigned medical and paramedical personnel, nurses, sanitary engineers, food technologists and a nutritionist to the respective areas. We are coordinating our public health activities with the National Park Service. F. Additional Support to D.C. Government National Park Service. The Department of Defense is loaning ambulances and an ambulance bus with supporting personnel, if needed. The D.C. Medical Society. The Medical Chirurgical Society of D.C. The Medical Committee for Human Rights. COSTS TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OF THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN [As summarized by the Government of the District of Columbia, Finance Office, 1 Cost related to the death of 1 of the Poor People at the Department of Agriculture. * In addition it is estimated that $106,516 in Federal funds have been spent to date, This does represent the major cost to the District of Columbia for the Poor People's Campaign. However, we have estimated that there will be some additional cost as follows: Department of Corrections. 1 $3.600 20, 333 1 Also it is estimated that they will need additional Federal funds amounting to $40,667. The following indicates the type of expenses incurred through June 29, 1968: 1 Represents payment to Travelers' Aid for ransportation of indigent nonresidents to their homes. The Department will be reimbursed for this expense from private sources. The following Agencies and Departments did not report any cost either direct or indirect for the Poor People's Campaign: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Administration of Wage, Safety and Hour Laws Filing and Recording of Property and Corporation Papers Public Service Commission Planning and Zoning Metropolitan Area Transit Commission Board of Appeals and Review Commissioner's Youth Council Office of Community Renewal Commissioner's Council on Human Relations Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Elections Occupations and Professions Public Library Veterans' Affairs Office of the Surveyor D.C. Court of Appeals D.C. Tax Court U.S. Courts Legal Aid Agency National Guard Public Schools Washington Technical Institute Federal City College Recreation National Zoological Park Vocational Rehabilitation No attempt has been made to pro-rate the cost to the Executive Office or the City Council for the Poor People's Campaign. This is the sixth report. Since the Poor People's Campaign has ended we will consider this to be the final report relative to the cost of the Campaign. BONDS FOR PARADE PERMITS FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1968 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SPECIAL INVESTIGATING SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Washington, D.C The Special Investigating Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:20 a.m, in Room 1310, Longworth House Office Building, Honorable Basil L. Whitener (Chairman of the Special Investigating Subcommittee) presiding. Present: Representatives Whitener (presiding), and Winn. Also present: James T. Clark, Clerk; Sara Watson, Assistant Counsel; Donald Tubridy, Minority Clerk; and Leonard O. Hilder, Investigator. Mr. WHITENER (presiding). The Subcommittee will come to order. We will resume our hearings on H.R. 16941 and H.R. 16948. RECENT LOOTINGS Before we start with the witnesses, I would like to read into the record a communication which I received today from the Connecticut Avenue Association, entitled "Don't Shoot Looters." "On Friday, April 5, when negro rioters, looters, plunderers, and arsonists ran free to perpetrate havoc in downtown Washington, this interviewer spoke with four District of Columbia police officers. Three of them (high-ranking officers) were sufficiently well known to accept pledges that identities would remain undisclosed. The fourth, a private patrolman, indicated 'I don't really care if you use my name', because he said he had already made plans to leave the force. "In summary, the following is, in part, information elicited from the four conversations: "District police were told to avoid making arrests. "Looters were to be ignored-unless they were white. "Orders had come in briefings; sometimes with Safety Director Patrick Murphy present. "On Friday afternoon, police radio carried a message that President Johnson had personally requested avoiding a brush with negro rioters whenever possible.' "Patrick Murphy to Police: 'Be scarce.' "Since his taking office, at the appointment of President Johnson, Safety Director Murphy has repeatedly let it be known that the White House wanted uniformed police to be inconspicuous in the event of Negro uprisings. 'Be scarce' was the way instructions came down, 94-293-68- -12 |