Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-21
ST. Ell IZABETH EXTENSION
WHY THE INSANE HOSPITAL NEEDS
ADDITIONAL GROUNDS.
DIR. Richardson's Objections to Build
ing ON the Farm Tract-An Injury
to the Institution and Inmates.

Eyes, 1 am disappointed that Congress
has thought best to require the buildings
of the proposed extension to this hospital
to be built os the present lands of the in
stitution," said DR.. r. richardson, super.n-
tendent of ST. Elizabeth, to a Star re-
porter this morning. I'm spite of the long
discussion of the subject and 81 the prCpo-
s.tion to purchase additional land for a
site | am convinced that much misappre-
hension still exists IN the minds of many
members of Congress regarding the s!tua-
ton here l only wish that each one could
know all the facts relating to the necessi-
ties of the hospital and the requisites for
its future. Tie conviction that an irrepa-
rable injury is about to be done these I'M
fortunate wards of the country is the rea-
that has impeled the Secretary or the
Interior, the board of visitors and myself
to urge repeatedly both the extension of
the hospital and the purchase of the par
tcular tract of land in question.
Crowded Buildings.
1.-The records of this hospital on the 17th
instant showed 2.127 inmates. The number
of officers and employees at the same date
was near 600, a total of 2,7O0 persons with
in the buildings. On February of this
year. with all the buildings occupied, there
, capacity of 40. Ten per cent of the entire
number in the institution are constantly in
bed, more helpless, IN many instances, than
children. TIE close proximity OF the pres
ent buildings to each other is a Serious
detriment to the patents. Several of them
are within twelve to twenty feet OF each
other. The building for colored females is
within fifty feet of building for White
males. The windows of the s.eepng apart
ments are on the same level, and the blinds
in both must be kept down, in summer as
well as winter, when the inmates are dress
ing and undres sing. If any imprC per Ian
guage is used by a patient OF either sex II
! is heard by all the inmates of both build
ings. The building for noisy and disturbed fe-
males and two buildings for the epileptics are
directly opposite one another and less than
twenty feet apart. All are Immediately ad-
joining the hospital ward for the acute sick
and the infirmary ward for the chronic bed
ridden One noisy patient will necessarily
disturb the who number. 1t Is to remedy
this overcrowding and some of these serious
menaces to the comfort of the inmates ana
to their successful treatment that the ex-
tension has been advocated.
THE rules require. and all authorities JUS
tify Them that every ablebodied patient
shall be taken outdoors for exercise twice
daily. With the great diversity among the
inmates no one can say that their recrea-
ton grounds are too large and that build
i1igs for 1000 more can be placed on them
without prejudice to the welfare OF the pa
tients.
An Unsatisfactory Site.
There are about 40 acres belonging to
| the hospital east of Nichols avenue, just
opposite the building site. This tract has
been the farm and garden of the institu-
| ton The farm buildings are located on 1t
| and the cemetery is at the northeast cor
ner of it. A large ravine divides it, the
portion which would be available for
building site comprising a triangle adjoin.
| ing the village of Congress Heights and
inn aboI1t irI nf thn
| There is room on this portion for the pro-
posed buildings, but they would cover near
| ly all Of it If the buildings are kept the
proper distance apart. The extension will
| include from fifteen to seventeen buildings,
| which vary in length from 125 feet to 300
| feet The law requires them to accommo-
| date 1000 patients and the necessary en-
| ployes, and to include in addition all do
| nestle buildings.
Inconvenience and Dangers.
This site is an open field without shade
tree on it. The exercise Of the patients
| would necessarily be in the open sun, and
| within sight and hearing of the residents
of Congress Heights. just adjoining They
| would be separated from the rest of the
| hospital by public thorougiaare with
| street car line on 1t. An expensive subway
| would have to be constructed or the pa
| tents would be subject to danger in cross
| ing the avenue or be themselves a menace
| to the public. 1t would be impossible to
give to the patients that privacy which is
| SO important to their well being. The dis
| lance Of some of the buildings from the
| nearest point at which a heating and light
| Ing plant can be located economically would
be from 5000 to $500 feet The sewerage
| lines and water pipes would be heightened
| in like extent. The inconvenience of ad-
| ministration, under this arrangement, would
| be much greater than if all the buildings
| were within one Enclosure on the same side
| of the avenue"
| 1T has been suggested that all the COL
| ored patients be placed on this SIDE but if
| this Is done, which It seems probably will
be necessary. at least six hundred whites
| will have to go with them, the colorcti
| number but about four hundred If th
females are located there, which 1 canno.
| bring myself to agree to. in the open sun
| of our hot summers. at least five hundred
males would also have to be located there
| with them to provide for the one thousand
| which the law requires.
The Desired Tract.
1.-THE tract that was desired to purchase
is well wooded, lying along the present
! building site. extends from Nichols avenue
| to the Anacostia river and comprises a
ridge which would accommodate all the
| buildings and leave abundant recreation
ground for all the classes of patients and
| so situated as to insure complete privacy
| from the public
LAS to the price to be paid for the land,
l can only say that l have appealed to
|
| they deemed fair. l care not what this
may be. 1 only ask that the institution
be given an opportunity to secure the site
If possible.
"In the face of the expenditure Of one
million dollars in buildings to he ,.se1 as
are provided in the law authorizing the ex-
tension. and when the complex character
of the hospital population is considered. [
| cannot but continue to point out, even at
| the risk of the suspicion Of Interior mo-
tives, what conceive to be the grave peril
to the future of the institution in the pres
ent situation.
1.-The conditions are such, however. and
the necessities are so urgent that the extern
sion must be made at once, whether the
land be bought or not. If Congress de-
clines to permit the purchase at any price
work will be Immediately begun and the
| buildings placed across the ;, al
though we believe their usefulness will be
| very considerably impaired"
SUPPLIES FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
Tenor of the State Departments Re-