The evening times., 1900-06-09
THE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
Commissioners Pleased Over Con-
gressiOnal Action Concerning Ii.
Pressing Need of the InstftutiOn.
Difficulties of the Past i'm Caring
for INDECENT Patfents-The Cboos-
ing OF an Site-severnI Offers of
Land Made-Mr. ROss' Opinion.

The Commissioners are much gratiied
over the appropriation ny Congress Of
SlO0, 200 for the purchase OF q suitable site
for a municipal hospital. On several oc-
casions they iave urged upon the commit
tees of Congress the necessity for estab-
fishing large hospital with modern equip
ment for the use of the municipality. For
several years the Associated Charities. the
Police Department, and the Board OF Com
missioners have recommended the building
Of such hospital as of the utmost i'm
portanee.
While there are numerous private hos
pitals in the District conducted admirably,
and which render efficient service to the
public, and to some extent meet the re-
quirements of the municipal government
in caring for the INDECENT sick and wound
ed. yet they do not. and in the nature OF
the circumstances cannot. meet the de-
maDds which exist for hospital under the
direct control Of the District Commission
ers. These points have been repeatedly
set forth in formal reports and in hear
iugs before the Congressional committees.
In a communication TO Senator Allison.
Chairman Of the Senate Appropriations
Committee. only a few days before the
passage Of the resolution providing $780,
900 toward this purpose. the Commission
ers set forth the fact that In the calendar
month OF 1899 40 less than sixty-eight
applicants for treatment had been turned
away from the private hospitals OF the
city The Commissioners feel that they
have at least received what has long been
due to the District
Commissioner Ross. IN speaking Of the
matter yesterday, said that the question
OF securing a site for the proposed hos
pital had been informally discussed by the
Board. and that the opinion was unani-
nous that proposals for the sale OF avail
able sites should be asked by advertise
ment from the property owners Of the en-
tire District Mr. Ross thought that eny
high ground. accessible 10 the city by good
roads. and possibly by street cars, would
be available. What Is wanted he said.
in general terms. is one Of the hills OF
the District which has commanding view.
and sufficient space 20 accommodate the
hospital and TO provide for its possible
growth in the future
Mr.. Ross expressed the opinion that
there we're a number of sites available
for the purpose, and thai advertisement
for offers would bring them out at prices
for the land which would be within the
limits Of the appropriation.
The Commissioners have already re-
ceived several offers Of sites for the hos
pital any one OF which apparently would
suit the requirements. One OF these was
tender by Beck & Miller, 642 + Street
northwest, Of 213s acres Of land imme-
diately north OF and adjoining the sub
division OF lexington The price named
for the parcel is 5000. and the tract Is
offered In whole or IN part, as the Com
nissioners may elect In case OF a d.
vision of the property the price would be
at the same rate per acre
II is understood also that tract IN
Northeast Washington, near the brick
yard has been offered at a price within
the appropriation. and a verbal offer OF
ground on a slightly elevation near Bright
wood Avenue has heen made.
The Commissioners are II Rratihed that
so many sites have been offered without
| solicitation on their part, and they feel
confident that when proposals are asked
for there will be a sufieiency OF sites from
which TO choose an ideal place for the
hOSpitai