The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-01
HOSPITAL WILL COST $4,000
WILL CONSIST OF 40 BUILDINGS
COVERING SEVERAL ACRES.


Later the Work Must Commence.
VIII BE Completed by Jan. 1.-The
Hospital May BE Occupied by Dee.
15-The site Selected Near Bun
street and EstiII Avenue-Guards'
Camp and the seventh Corps Cor
raj VIII Have TO BE MOved-Capt.
McHarg Looking After the Work.
The first steps toward the building of
the big army hospital here have been
taken Bids are being advertised for, and
the actual work will commence within five
days after the opening of the bids, which
will be Nov. TO- The advertisement makes
lis appearance for the first time to-day.
Bids will be presented to Capt John W.
McHarg, assistant quartermasier, who has
an office in the Provident building, third
floor
Capt. McHarg arrived night before last
from Old Point Comfort, where he spent
some weeks experimenting t-e construc-
ton of a large hospital. That at Old
Point is now the largest army hospital
in the the country, but the one TO be erect
ed here will be even larger 1t will cost
approximately $4,000, the amount set
aside in the appropriation for il. The Old
Point hospital cost $4,000
There win be accommodations
for 1000 cots. Forty-nine build
ings are needed for the hos
pitaI, all Of which will be of wood, just
what kind is not known, that being a mat
ter left to The discretion OF Capt. McHarg,
ha sufficient
confidence as to repose in him the selec-
ton of the lumber he may regard as best
fitted for the purpose. The successful con-
tractor will have to figure, possibly, in
connection with this privilege which viii
be reserved by Capt. McHarg The latter
will visit the lumber yards of the city be-
fore the bids are opened in order to form
an idea of the merits of Georgia pine. II
he does not regard 1t as suited other lum-
Der Will be ordered
The government desires to have the
hospital finished just as soon as possible.
For this reason the time given by the bid
ders as that they will find necessary Tor
the completion of the work will be an i'm
portant consideration in the award of the
contract Il is thought there win be no
trouble about having II finished by Jan. l.
There will not it is thought, be as great
difficulty experienced in procuring the
necessary labor as there will in getting
the lumber. There are to be so many
buildings. all of which are to be large and
roomy, and of wood that the lumber and
other material viii have to come in very
fast in order to admit of the work being
hurried along.
It is the plan to use the hospital as soon
as the administration buildings and
part of the wards are completed. 1t is
thus thought that patients may be receiv-
ed as early as Dec. Is. The rest of the
work win be going on while the patients
are in the hospital.
The engineering corps will begin run
ming the lines out on the property to-day.
The plot for the buildings has been re-
ceived and viii be used by the engineers.
The plans have not yet arrived, but are
expected by Capt. McHarg to-day.
A matter to which the greatest atten-
ton is to be paid is the plumbing of the
buildings and the general sanitary ar
engagements OF the hospital. The chief
surgeon is particularly desirable that ev-
cry possible precaution against disease
from the source Of defective sanitation be
taken.
The hospital wards will be built In the
form of square with a covered walk go
ing all the way around. At Old Point
they were arranged in the form of a tri-
angie The plan adopted for the hospital
here is regarded, after the experience
gained at Old Point. as being more salts
factory. Al Old Point, also, the buildings
were all covered with tar paper. Here
they will be covered with shingles, this
IN itself. when the area that is TO be roof
ed over is considered. being an item OF
great expense.
In every way the buildings will be con-
structed with a view Of greater comfort
and longer use, possibly. The wards are
all to be cered, and every provision to
guard against the cold will be made.
The site of the building will be near the
intersection OF Bull street and Estill ave-
nue.. Twenty-one acres to the east and
south respectively Of these thoroughfares
have been leased, and it Is
thought all the land will he
needed for the buildings The
lease is until the end of the fiscal year,
June 80 next, but the government has the
privilege of renewal. This privilege is
conveyed in the contract.
The ground is leased from Col. A. r.
Lawton and Mr. f. A Smith. A section
of The track of the City and Suburban
Railway runs across it. but this viii be
taken up and replaced alongside the tract
within few DAYS, Capt. Johnston having
agreed to do this. On part Of the ground
the First Battalion OF the Second Georgia
Regiment is encamped. The men will
have 10 move off the tract. Officers of the
battalion were looking out for a new
camp site yesterday. The quartermasters
department wants the land at once. IL is
desired to be had in a condition for work
to start as soon as possible. The corral of
the Seventh Corps is also on the tract, end
this will have to be moved This will be
done within a few days.
The right is reserved by the government
TO reject any or all bids that may be sub
mitted on the work The entire con.
tract is to go IN hump to the most salts
factory bidder Ii win mean big thing
for the city is in the way of the labor
that will be employed and the amount OF
material that will be used. The hospita
viii be much larger affair than has beer
thought. as there were but few who be
iieved that. being regarded as only tenn
porary affair, that anything like ths
amount contemplated would be expended
in the construction. The matter of III,
extent of ground necessary was also some
what belittled in the ordinary understand
Al . ..s.F,