Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-06
%s GROUND DONATED
SITE FOR ADDITION TO GOVERN
MENT HOSPITAL FOR, INSANE.
Private Parties Make Proposition to
Secretary of the Interior
Being Considered.

which are to form the extension of the Gov
eminent Hospital for the Insane, for the
construction of which the sundry civil bill
carries an appropriation of sl,O00,COO, is
to be rendered to the government as do
nation by private parties to meet the ext
gencies of the hospitals needs in this re-
spect, which Congress failed to provide for.
A provision of the sundry civil bill propos-
ing an appropriation by the government OF
100000 for the purchase of additional land,
amounting in all to 40 acres of the Pen
cote Heights upon which to erect these
buildings was defeated m both the Sem
ate and House after a prolonged debate
in both relative to the value Of the land
intended to be purchased. its proximity to
the asylum and on many other matters
more or less pertinent to the question at
issue. DR.. A. B. Richardson the superin-
tendent Of the Government Hospital for the
Insane, Is preparing his plans for the ex-
tension of the hospital, which have SO far
Deen made with the idea in view that the
buildings would be constructed on groead
now owned by the asylum east of Nichols
avenue and on plateau directly adjoining
the town of Congress Heights, but Mr.. Ar
thur E. Randle, the founder Of the latter
place. in order to prevent division of the
asylum buildings, which at present occupy
a location west of the avenue, as well as
to protect the village and immediate sec
ton from the injury that many fear would
result were the buildings constructed on
the plateau named, has succeeded in hav-
ing the owner OF large tract in the nelgn-
borhood make a generous offer to the gov
eminent, which if accepted will take the
proposed buildings from contact with the
town Of Congress Heights.
Tender of Site.
The following letter, signed by Mr.. Ran
die was received this morning by Secretary
Hitchcock of the Interior Department, and
explains the latest step taken in the mat
ter:
1.-The provision in the sundry civil bill
for additional buildings for the Government
Hospital for the Insane states in regard to
the site for the erection of new buildings
as follows: Upon such suitable land as
may be donated to the government within
the District Of Columbia for that purpose
Therefore I am authorized to deed to the
United States government site for the
new buildings upon guarantee that said i'm
provements be made upon site donated,
all conveyances to be paid by the donor.
The sundry civil bill also provides that
the buildings may be erected upon land
now owned by the hospital, but as may be
gathered from the arguments advanced by
many who discussed the subject, some of
whom made personal Investigations of the
conditions at the asylum, the institution
has no ground that is considered desirable
for the construction of the addition referred
1000 persons. The site offered is under
stood to be in proximity to the government
land at present used for the purposes Of the
institution. 1t is expected that the offer
will be at once forwarded to DR.. Richard
son. and that it will be considered by him
before any answer is decided upon.
Pleasing to Citizens.
Citizens of Congress Heights were elated
last night when they learned of the offer
to donate ground for the building of the
asylum addition. as it had been fully de-
cided to place these buildings, as stated,
on the government land directly adjoining
Congress Heights. A great effort had been
made by some to oppose the sale of Pen
cote Heights to the asylum but many were
of the opinion that more injury would be
done to the place by erecting the new
buildings, as lately contemplated. than if
Pencote Heights had been sold and the adj
dition built thereon.
1t is said to be due to the efforts of a
number of large property owners, who
fought the proposition to erect the build
ings on the plateau mentioned above that
there is a good opportunity presented of
having the new buildings removed from
Congress Heights. gentleman who Is
conversant with the matter of the asylum
extension said last night: Mr.. Randle to
protect his town, has secured donation Of
land for the site of the new buildings. The
deeds are prepared and will be given to the
government donation to the sailors
and soldiers of the United States army and
navy who are inmates Of st. EliZabeth's
Asylum
1t is believed the offer to donate build
Ing site will find favor at the government
hospital. The division of the asylum which
was to be caused by the erection of the
new buildings on the east has been opposed
from the first as being unwise.