The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-29
A GREAT HOSPITAL.
French Citizens 10 Build One on
Point LObOS Avenue.
Enthusiastic Meeting in Irving Hall Yester-
day-A Large Sum Appropriated for
the New Structure.

A representative gathering OF the French
American citizens of San Francisco assem-
bled in Irving Hall yesterday afternoon to
discuss the question of building a new hos
pitaL
In September last the French Mutual
Benevolent Society appointed q committee
OF fifteen to consider the matter, and to
report plans for the new building which Is
10 be erected on Point LObos avenue, be-
tween Fifth and Sixth avenues.
The meeting yesterday was to receive this
report. By O'Clock about 400 gentlemen
had entered the hall. The members Of the
committee took seats upon the stage, in front
of which were the designs for the new
institution prepared by Albert Pissis. the
architect.
THE PLANS ADMIRED.
These were examined with critical eyes
by all the members of the society who were
on the floor, and the only doubt expressed
by few was as to whether the society
would be financially able to erect so beauti-
full and costly group Of buildings.
The plans called for brick hospital cost
ing S250OO0 Accommodations are provided
for $50 beds. The dimensions Of the land
upon which the buildings are to be erected
are 240xCOO feet. The main building Is two
stories in height and has two well-eXtended
wings. The style is the Florentine renais-
sance, without any pTetentiOns to be ornate.
President Well remarked before the meet
ing was called TO order that the new French
Hospital, if the plans before him we're
adopted would be the finest building Of its
kind west OF the Rocky Mountains.
FLUENT DEBATERs.
The meeting lasted until o'clock and the
debates which followed the presentation Of
the committees report were at times quite
animated. The discussion was carried on IL
the French language ana tie musical little
bell on the chairman's table had to be
tinked quite often 10 secure parliamentary
decorum. The French people use bell In
stead Of a gaYel, both in their legislative
meetings and public gatherings.
Dnring the three hours debate 10
speed eS were delivered, most of them be-
ing spoken in one minute. \ Frenchman,
however, can crowd with almost lightning
velocity great number Of words into the
cycle of a minute.
SilYain WE'LL presided and DR.. TAFT Oticl-
ated as Secretary.
The subject was very earnestly discussed
by Messrs MOner, ChaTtrey. Daniel Levy,
AIMED, MarchebOut. T.. Marque, A. Ere
ling, Raas, l.. o. Auradou, Emanuel
Mayer, 5 Well, DI. TAFT, Bourgugnon,
n ~ 4
J. Michel and p. Games.
POINTS IN CONTROVERSY.
The dcbata( lie issues we're whether the
buildings should be OF wood or brick;
whether the cost shoId exceed $500, 0O0;
whether bonds should be issued to cover the.
md btPdneSs; whether the same committee
should be continued, with pow er to act, and
whe her members of the special committee
were eligible for election to the Board of
ID rectOTs.
Ii was maintained by those in favor Of
building with brick that wood was IN ab-
sOTbent OF disease germs, that the saving in
cost Of painting and insurance with brick
building were important items, and that a
brick building cuu-d be heated much more
These ideas were sufficiently convincing to
secure a large majority vote for brick hos
pital
WISE POLICY.
The financial features of the enterprise
generated quite flow OF UTatOry and Ge-
yclOped a wide difference Of opinion. The
conservative influence, however, made Itself
felt, and 1t was resolved to limit the cast,
exclusive Of furniture, to $4,000 Tie
feeling was that the society, which possesses
assets valued at about this amount, should
avoid Involving itself in debt and could
raise quite an additional sum If money for
the hospital bY holding grand French fete
IN San Francisco at some future time.
After adopting resolutions allowing mem
bers Of the Special Building Committee to
continue with full power TO act, aud declar-
ing them eligible to the Office of Directors in
case they should be elected mem ers Of the
directorate, the meeting adjourned.