The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-14
THE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
A Favorable Report on the Project
by the Commissioners.
Important Amendments Suggested
to the Bill Providing for the Free
ton Of the BuiIding-Thc Institu-
ton Ia lie Governed and Regu-
lated by the District Authorities.

The Commissioners yesterday made a IA
vorable report on the bill which was sent
to them by Chairman Mcmillan Of the SEN
ate District Committee providing for the
erection Of a municipal hospital in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. The report OF the Com
missiuners suggests several amendments 10
the bill in It's present form which will
make it acceptsble-io the District authori-
! ties in every way.
1t is desirable. they state in their e.
mort that the matter shall be disposed OF
as soon as possible. and that the hospital
! shall be erected as soon as the provisions
of the act authorizing it will allow The
! need Of such an Institution in this city has
| long been felt. they continue, but it is nee
essary that should such a bill become
law. and should such building be erected,
that it shall be under the direct control
of the Commissioners OF the District. There
should be no intermediate body and no
other power which would be likely to him
der the Commissioners when they desire 10
have certain regulations or Improvements
made 10 the building or its furniture they
further state. and they suggest certain
amendments to carry out their views III
these respects. H.,
The first section OF the bill provides that
the trustees of the Columbia Hospital snaii
sell the real estate possessed by that ~
stitution in such manner as shall be ap-
proved by the Commissioners. and the pro-
cecds Of the sale are to be paid into the
Treasury OF the United States, one-hali be-
ing accredited 10 the District.
The second section provides that the
trustees mentioned shall purchase, with the
approval of the Commissioners, suitable
and convenient site whereon snail be
erected such buildings as are Necessary for
the accommodation OF the INDECENT SICK OIL
the District.
is made TO this section. They state that
the words .ihe District Commissioners be
inserted instead OF the trustees, making
the section read: THAT the District COM
missiouers are authorized and directed 10
nun chase etc. This amendment VIII place
the institution under the direct control oil
the municipal authorities. which otherwise
would have been vested in the trustees OF
the old hospital.
The third section of the bill provides lor
the examination of the title to the Janus
purchased, etc, and then states mat an
admissions to such hospital shall be accord
ing 10 rules prescribed ny said Conmis-
sioners." The Commissioners desire that
this section shall be amended so as TO read;
THE government and regulations oil said
hospital shall be in ACCORDANCE with rules
prescribed by said Commissioners
The fourth section contains the app7opri-
stipg clause S250. 600 being apporuoned al
together. 100000 for the site and s5oooo
for the necessary buildings. In ADDITION
the section sets forth that the trustees re-
ira %
erection OF the necessary buildings Inc
Commissioners desire this TO be amended so
that the Commissioners shall be authorized
10 enter into contract for the erection of
the buildings, etc.
II is believed that the bill will be amend
ed. as suggested by the Commissioners
and will be passed through both houses o:
Congress as soon as possible. similar
bill was introduced at the last session, Of
Congress. and the Commissioners and the
board OF trustees Of the Columbia Hospital
failed 10 agree on tae measure in time Tor
il to become a law. The same trouble was
experienced with the trustees, as has been
cited in the bill under consideration. The
desired TO have full control
of the hospital and the trustees did not
approve Of such plan. They stated that
as they were disposing Of their buildings |
and its grounds. II would only be proper |
for the new hospital TO be governed ard /
by the old board. As the build |
ing was TO be called the municipal hos
pital. and was designed TO care for the in |
digent sick Of the District. who are now |
sent to the various hospitals throughout |
the city. and vas TO be an entirely new de- |
parture for the District, the Commission
ers insist upon the control Of It's affairs. |
1t is understood that the Congressional |
committees favor the stand taken by the |
Commissioners and will report The bill as |
amended.