Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-10

provided for. AS a matter of tact, the
erage number under treatment during the
year was nearly 100 in excess of the esti-
mate. but the price of supplies was lower
than the present year, and there was a
hope of closing without a deficiency. But
the came on and during the last third
of the year about 20 per cent more pa
tients We're admitted than during the same
months of the previous year necessarily
increasing the daily expenditure for sup
plies and rendering reduction of the hos
pital force .mpracticable. The result is
that $12~3.GG will be needed to close the
accounts for the year. which amount is
asked an urgent deficiency.
Tie estimates. which under the law must
he made early in September of 1897, We're
based on a probable number of .725 of the
class for which the appropriation was
made. Before the fiscal year commenced
war was declared. there was a marked adj
vance in the price of all provisions and an
increase of nearly 100 patients that could
not have been anticipated when the esti-
mate was made, so that on the LIST of July,
the beginning of the fiscal year the hospi-
tai was called upon to provide for .S!3
inmates Proposals for supplies opened
May showed an advance in prices on the
quantities estimated for the previous year
of over $1,000. These conditions are likely
to continue through the year.
For expenses. .S407 Ooo
General replirs aud improvements. 1o.ooo
BuiIding and grounds viz:
Chapel building. Observation-Disclosures. - 900
Slaughter house. mule stables and cart
sheds Sto k 800
Central plant for hot piping. etc. 6,ODO
Renewing plumbing and tilin@ baths and
toilets. two 7rctious Old buildings. 5000
Continuing h:ick pIy"m"nts. ............ 100
Erecting three f"e escapes. with stand
Fnrnshtn: west Lodge extension .. 500
For tirepyo Itng floors, brick partition and
pia1zas. Atkins Hall. 5000
Total Observation-Disclosures. So, 100
Additional ACCOMMODATIONS. VIZ. cottage
provision for w'rking pattents.......... l2'o
The estimate fer current expenses is for
support, clothing and treatment in the
Government Hospital for the Insane of the
insane from the army and navy. marine
corps, revenue cutter service, inmates of
the National Home for Disabled Volunteer
Soldiers persons charged with or convicted
of crimes against the United States who are
il sane. all persons who have become m
sane since their entry into the military
and naval service of the United States who
have been admitted to thu hospital and
who are INDECENT and for the INDECENT in
sane admitted from the District of Column
bia.
The basis of estimate is an annual per
capita cost of 500 for (estimated) aver
age number of 1,s5o of the above classes.
Congress has for a number of years di-
Vided this appropr alton between the sun
cry civil and the District bills. Following
the uniform usage OF years, the increase in
the District bill being based on the in
crease in the number of District patients
during the last fiscal year, the amount in
that bill will be s12l 49s 50 leaving Ssh
1'Et.ep TO be appropriated in the suniry
civil of which sum it is asked that not
exceeding 81 90 may be used to defray the
expense Of the removal of patients to their
frie!tds. section in the Legislative. ex-
oCutive and judicial bill approved March
H. 1s.Is. makes necessary the further pro-
vision that not exceeding $1,000 of the ap-
preparation may be expended in the pur-
chase Of such books, periodicals and papers
as may be required for the purpose of the
hospital.
The $1,000 asked for general repairs and
Improvements is the same amount that has
been appropria ted for that purpose for
some years past, and with the constant
" ear and tear incident to a large hospital
and OF constantly extending its buildings
like this, the only question is whether the
proper and necessary repairs can he made
with the amount hitherto required for the
purpose. Certainly, but for the fact that
it will be supplemented by some special
appropriations, it would be Inadequate.
Need of ii Chapel.
The sum of $1,000 is again asked for
chapel. There is nothing to be said in
ABOLITION to what has been previously adj
duced in it's support. An institution of the
size Of this ought to have an amusement
hall atted for its purpose distinct from its
place of worship.
Atkins Hall. erected in 1879 as tempo
rary building for w0rkingmen, has now
reached a time when its floors must be re-
newed, and as the building has served an
admira bic purpose for the w0rkingmen, and
with some necessary changes from lath par
titons and the addition or broad piaZzas.
where the men can sit when their work is
done. it will be a model structure of its
kind, we ask an appropriation of 5000 to
make the necessary changes.
The extension of the West Lodge for col
ored male patients. for which an appropria-
ton was made at the last session of Con-
gress is being pushed to completion and
will be ready for occupation in the coming
spring. 1t is asked that the appropriation
Of $l50O for beds and necessary furniture
be made Immediately available in order that
the overcrOwding of this class may be re-
lieved at the earliest moment.
Additional Accommodations
The war, with it's increase of the army
and navy. has brought an unexpected ac-
cession Of numbers likely to be permanent
and creates a necessity for immediate adj
ditonal accommodations to avert the evils
of excessive oVercroWding that are else
inevitable. Following the guidance of pas;
experience. it seems most desirable that
such further provision should be of a kind
to afford the greatest relief and at the
same time make the hospital accommoda-
items the most complete in all respects.
Cottage homes for the laboring classes is
the direction recommended for this ex-
perditure. Plain. substantial buildings.
every way creditable with hoIna comforts
ana Appliances rather than architectural
effect. can be constructed for a very rea-
sonable sum II is estimated that suitable
homes for 100 of the male and twenty-five
OF the female workers among the inmates
can be built for $31 80, and that sum is
accordingly asked
beyond the temporary appointment of
the two medical internes already mentioned
there has been no change in the medical
staff. Each in his place has continued to
discharge the important trust devolved
upon him. There have been some changes
among the subordinate officers. but in this
main the work, which is endless and al
ways growing, has gone quietly and stead
lily on to the fulfillment of its high mis-
slon-the humane care of these dependent
ones. So. silently the years record passes
into history, and we enter upon another
year of toll and endeavor, confident that the
work is such to commend itself to the
liberal provision of Congress. that has
never been unmindful of our needs.
For Appointment of Trustees.
Daniel Pratt Wright, John Brown WI ght,
a lunatic, by his next friend, Mary Irwin
Gill. and John Newton Wright today,
hot ~