The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-03
NO NURSES COTTAGE
FINANCE COMMITTEE STRIKES OUT
THIS HOSPITAL ESTIMATE.
Health Board Makes an Appeal in
Vain for an Increased
Appropriation.

The Council finance committee met last
evening and heard the supplications OF the
Board of Health for an appropriation of
$4,000 for improvements at the City Hos
pital. Controller Johnson kept the commit
tee in hand long after the Board of Health
had withdrawn, with the result that the ap-
preparation was kept at the amount of $780,
600 recommended by Mr.. Johnson. The
most cherished item of all submitted by
the board, that is, $4,000 for a nurses
quarters, was cut out. Members OF the
finance committee declare that they care
little what the board may think of the ac-
ton; that they have investigated the mat
ter themselves and done what they thought
best Members of the Board of Health have
stated that they could do little with less
than $4,000, and they would undertake no
improvements with less sum. The MEM
bers of the Board Of Health left the court
house before the result of the committees
deliberation was announced. AS the doc
tors were going out DR.. Morrison said to
City Sanitarian Ferguson:
by golly.> I'VE don't want row over this
thing
The finance committee was a little late
in getting together. While the members
were coming in Councilman Clark gave a
he outlined the manner in which he was
elected to the office he holds. He said his
opponent was slow, while Mr.. Clark saw
every man, woman and child in the ward
Mr.. Clark added that politician, to be
successful, must be a hustler. While the
committee were talking together and listen
ing to Mr.: Clark, who still
says he will introduce or
dlnance to PROHIBIT the sale OF
in, If the weight of an empire was rest
ing on his young shoulders and he was
dong the balance act. be cast one hurried
glance about the room, fairly broke through
the door and shouted:
Are you ready for us, gentlemen" with
an emphasis on the Gus"
I'VE are ready replied one member of
the committee, who, to all indications. was
acquainted with the face and. actions of
the young man. After the latter had with
drawn some one asked:
WHO was that boy?"
THAT? Why. that is Dr. Nichols, super
intendent of the City Hospital. He is rath-
the answer. a few minutes later Dr.; Mich
OILS, the members of the Board of Health
and the finance committee went into con-
ference, with the reporters on the outside
AT this conference the members of the
Health Board stated very earnestly just
what they need at the hospital. The plans
and estimates for the improvements were
presented and considered, and then the
Board of Health withdrew, believing the
committee would decide according TO the
wishes of the Health Department. Dr.
Nichols also withdrew, leaving the commit
tee at the mercy of City Controller john
son. The result of the future consideration
was that Mr.. Johnson's estimates of needs
was adopted. The Department of Health is
allowed $4,000 for a new north wing, $4,000
for a laundry and boiler house, $i,5W for en-
CINE and laundry equipment and $500 for
miscellaneous expenses. The committee,
under the tutelage OF Mr.. Johnson, cuts out
altogether the requested estimate of $4,000
for nurses cottage. The estimate for a
laundry and boiler house is increased from
$4,000 to $1,000, while the estimates for the
equipment of these departments is raised
from $1,000 to $500. The 800 asked for
furnishing the main building is thrown out
altogether.
not take kindly to the argument of the
Board of Health for a nurses quarters,
which argument was that 'twould be better
to have the nurses In a building remote
from the hospital, for two families cannot
live well together under one roof. The
counclmen say the Board of Health will
have to be satisfied The figuring of the
finance committee will be included in
the amendments recommended TO the or
dnance for the appropriation for the. hos
pital. The committee decided favorably on
the ordinance appropriating S45,OZo to the
fire department, as well as to the or
dinance authorizing the controller to issue
bonds to the amount of $4,000 to provide
for these appropriations.