The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-15
A COUNTY HOSPITAL.
Building May Be Erected by
City and County Jointly.
Mr.. GASCH TELLS THE PLANS.
Where the City May Save Money BY
Joining in the Project-The Poor
Laws Need Amending.

County Commissioner Fred Gasch, who pre-
sented plans al the meeting OF the city council
for the erection OF JOINT county and city
hospital and poor house on the site OF the pres
eat county farm, gave more detailed descrip-
ton OF the proposed building yesterday alter
noon. Mr.. Gasch said
Plans have been drawn 10 for a very large and
extensive threest1ry building, the center wing
to be built first. 1t l. Irregular IN form. seventy
feet wide III the center with total depth OF lao
feet, and viii house 20j people comfortably. II
is To be con ,tructed of brick, iron and cement,
with an iron roof. ana is to be absolutely fire.
proof. Particu ar pains have been taken to
ventilate each room separately by hue having
al outlet through the roof or wall
The basement or Will contain a spacious
dining room a we'll rs number OF rooms.
fnis floor il 10 be above the ground, we'll lighted
and W inflated and rot cellar in any sense OF
the word. Ga the first floor entering the
building rooms 10. he resident physician COM
pr sing drug tor, othre. operating room and
BE- The same mum Ter of rooms for the suparin-
ienden;. After passing the center hall the
room Ter women only will be founi. Two bath
ri toilet rooms viii also Le constructed on TINS
fnnr.
From the center aisle there will be stairways
leading mp 10 toe second 4 13T ana down 10 tbs
gr und floor. tie heit Of the stairway Oh
the eeco Il }of there VIII De larSe h0spita!
ward. while the bG.auce OF he second floor will
De dlFii INTO ialler warts. All he Il ors
viii be amply provided with bath rom. This
means that KING county Lends all the counties
OF the sta IN facilities for caring for its poor.
10 the building will be atded. on the rear
an TO one side, an annex one story i'll height 70
DC used a pantry and Kitchen. On the other
side OF the building another annex containing a
steam Laundry and boilers TOT heating The build
ing will be built The total estimated cost is
about $4,000
The memters OF the city council are now con.
sdering the matter with a view TO joining with
the commissioners IN the erection Of the build
ing, ana intend to visit the present hospital on
tuesday afternoon to famliariZe themselves
with the work before them, since very little is
known by any one. except the commi ,sioners in
charge, OF the immediate need OF new struct-
ure To replace the county farm buildings.
AS lar MS the legal question is concerned, the
grouni upon which the building is situated is
county land. tut il is % near the present city
limits that 1t Will doubtless soon be included
within them. Under the proposed arrangement
me city and county would own the building ana
land jointly.
The city is az present paying out in medi-
cal bills and for tn. care of smallpox patients
sl,2Jo month"; besides the cost of medicine
al. the board and lodging Of the patients.
Ii can readily be seen how great "A saving would
be effected by such an institution. Ii is in
tended solely for the purpo>e OF caring for
the sick and poor. and will not be used 10.
pest house. either in whole or in part The
one idea that should be emphasized is that
tn re is to be no smallpox hospital the bui d.
Ing. King county is made at present a dumping
ground OF paupers by nearly all the counties OF
the state, and relief from this Will be sought
during the present term OF the legislature
Mr.. Gasch added that the first thing in ad-
ministering the affairs OF the poorhouse is to
reduce the number of its inmates to a mini.
mum and thus tighten the burden upon the
comfy To this end the obligations of rela-
tives will be enforced, health will be restored
where possible by medical a.d, EN- ployment will
be sought for the inmates, and = physical and
mental examination made of every applicant,
and his personal history aud habits inquired
into rs far as possible.