New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-01
BLOOMINGDALE UNDLR DISCUSSION
EXPERTS. DOCTORS AND BUSINESS MEN GIVE TEST
" AsYl I'M.


MoNY BEARING on THE ASYi UNI
Tho State senate Committee Taxation resumed
its inquiry regarding the Bloomingdale Asylum yes
terday Senator Vedder presided, accompanied by
Senator Langber. Ex-senator Bixby and Dwight H.
Olmstead appeared for the Mornngsidc Park Assoca-
ton. and John l. Cadwallader represented the GOV
ernors Of the New-York Hospital and the officials OF
the asylum. Dr. Coles, superintendent of the Nc
Lean Insane Asylum, OF Massachusetts,. branch OF
the Massachusetts, General Hospital testified thar he
was familiar with the general management OF insane
asylumS and, expert. would say ihat the blOo-
ingdae institution could not be successfully cOnduccu
on less land than 1t now owns. He considered thai
S2 week was an abSurdly low figure for the average
support of patients, and considered that SIG was
about a fair figure. In cross-examnation by MI
olmstead he stated that the greatest Item OF expense
In a lunatic asylum Is the cost OF attendance pr'
Coles went on to say that space and fresh air arc
actually necessary 10 uDacy. therefore no did
not consider that the BOomingdale grounds ongh; to
be encroa he'd on by cutting streets or otherwise
Dr. Henry stearns, superintendent of the Hartford
Retreat for the Insane testified that In his OPINION
streets cut through the Bloomlngdae Asylum grounds
would be absolutely injurious, owing to the noise
arising from the traffic. He said that the average
cost of patients In his Institution was between CIV
and sill per week
Counsel for the hospital then put in evidence map
Of the Asylum grounds and the adjoining properly
and Hamilton Even, surveyor, testified thai II one
hundred sixteenth, One hundred and seventeenth,
and Ono hu ndred gheenth SITS were opened they
would encroach on these grounds and buildings Hugh
~ Camp Peter Meyers and Z. A. Crulkshanh, real
estate agents, testified that in their judgment the
value of the adjacent property had not deteroraed as
there is vacant land around II which has not yet beh
huff upon Dwight Olmstead then read resolution
passed by the members Of the Real Estate fAchange,
approving the taxation of the Asylum property;
pr LOonls consulting physician OF the Ne"-l Ork
Uospita testified that be was familiar with the work
ing of the Asylum and considered IL highly mpOrI aAt
that such an institution should DO near the Guy loI tno
reception of persons suddenly attacked WITH INSANITY.
Park Commissioner Borden considered that the cl'y
should have power by law to open one huhuieu anu
sxeenth-st to the river whenever II might be ueccu
necessary. . - - ,ho
Merritt F. Trimbe, OF the governors OF inc
New. York Hospital. stated that no secrecy was OU-
served as TO the names treatment OF the Pauehs
further than requested by their relatives ana at mo
only difference made between rich aud poor parents
ment He knew no public institution, he Sad; "hoso
financial affairs were managed so econOm Cslly bHii
added that the Chambers Street Hospital is supporter
ont OF the revenues of the BOOmlngdale Asylum ITO
dnnied that the expense accounts were nade 10 sno"
an excess over the revenue, TO AVOID taxation
Doctors f. c. SpitZks and Charles H. NchIols, Wno
has been for years superintendent Oh lhc
dale ASYLUM then testified that they cOhslnetu !"
Charitable Institution. Dr. Nichols SAID ma me III
tianton could moi be successfully conducted with
trafc going TO and fro within hundred yalds OF lre
buil6Ing Cornelius y. Bliss one OF the GoNtrhols,
testified that the asylum viii be removed as soon a.
euitahle site has been found and buildings eIoI,eu
The Committee will meet next SATURDAY 10 near Oo'H
Sides or take BRIEFS If submitted