Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-08
EXCHANGE NOT YEf.iMADE
PROVISIONS FOR PROCURING SITE
-un C~--s@
FOR ASYLUM BUILDINGS.
Haste Deemed Necessary in Order That
Construction May Not
BE Delayed.

yet under the provision of the sundry civil
bill passed by Congress at its last session
authorizing certain exchanges of land to be
made in order that the government may Sc
cure a site adjoining the Government Hospi-
tai for the Insane upon which to construct
the asylum extension. Whatever is done in
the matter of an exchange must be done
promptly-by the 1st of April-it is stated.
as it will not be feasible to delay work
upon the building of the extension much
longer. DIR. A. B. Richardson, the superin-
tendent of the Institution, stated this much,
in substance. last evening.
The plans for the various buildings pro-
posed are still being given consideration by
DR.. Richardson and the board of visitors,
and will be ready for advertising by the
middle of April the LIST Of May it is
now expected. Under the terms of the sun
dry civil bill relating to the exchange of
land the Secretary of the Interior is given
authority, in his discretion, TO exchange
fifty-nine and one-half acres of land now
owned by the government a detached
piece south of Congress Heights for an
equal number of acres of land adjoining the
Government Hospital for the Insane on the
south, and known as Pencote Heights. The
government ground which it is proposed by
this to exchange Is the Stevens farm, TAX
ing its name from the late Thaddeus Ste
yens, who secured it years ago for the gov
ricultural purposes by the asylum since its
acquisition. This farm is referred to in
the District appropriation bill, in which it
is made optional with the Secretary of the
Interior to effect its transfer to the Dis
trict government as a site for the proposed
new almshouse. 1t is regarded as settled
that no such transfer as this latter will be
made
other Provisions.
In the sundry civil bill it is fur
Their provided that the Secretary of
the Interior may, in his discretion, ex
change any of the remaining agricultural
land now owned by the Government Hospi-
tai, or any of Godding Croft, the asylum
farm of nearly 400 acres in Prince Georges
county. Md, opposite to Alexandria, for
land adjoining the asylum on the south
1t is not understood that it is specified that
this land must be exchanged acre for acre.
The land adjoining the government hos
pital on the south comprises beautiful
shaded levels and picturesque bluffs over
looking the river and the city. 1t is under
stood to be owned by or under the control
of Mr.. r. T. Wilson of New York and Mr..
Arthur E. Randle of this place, who rep
resents Mr.. Wilson's interests here. Any
exchange propositions that may come about
will be settled between the government and
these gentlemen, and as Mr. Randle has been
called TO the south for several days no
action will be taken until he returns.
In discussing the matter before his de-
parture Mr.. Randle committed himself to
no distinct proposition. DR.. Richardson Is
well prepared for any contingency that
may arise. Whatever exchange may be eff
fected he is prepared to locate the new
buildings to the best advantage on the
ground acquired and should no exchange
be made for any reason not now apparent
he is prepared to erect what buildings it is
possible to construct on the same tract
where the asylum buildings now are and
then go across east of Nichols avenue on
the plateau Immediately adjoining the town
of Congress Heights with the remaining
structures
Changes at the Institution.
DR.. John w. Foster, who left st. Eliza
beths Asylum recently to take charge of a
hospital in Bangor, Me, has been succeed
ed in his work at st. Elzabeth's by DIR.
Benjamin r. Logic, formerly of the Man
haitian State Hospital, New York. DR.. Lo-
gle was appointed to the position made
vacant by Dr. Fosters resignation under
the civil service regulations. He has assum-
ed charge of the Toner and epileptic build
ings. DR.. Logic is accompanied by his wife
and young child
1t is the intention of DIR. Richardson to
increase the herd of cows for the asylum
to about 80 after July l next. More atten-
ton will be given to the dairy hereafter
than has ever been the case heretofore, and
it is hoped to supply for the use of the in
stitution 300 gallons of milk daily or more.
DIR. Richardson has taken the first step in
the management of such dairy by placing
in charge graduate of an agricultural
college in Wisconsin, who has arrived and
assumed his duties.
Preparations are being made to remove
the large stable buildings which now occu-
Ply ground little south of the rear en-
trance to the administration building to a
site east of Nichols avenue An appropria-
ton of $4,000 has been made Immediately
available for the purpose.
Work upon the railroad switch under
construction through the grounds of the
institution from the Baltimore and Ohio
freight branch at the asylum wharf is be-
ing pushed. The connection with the freight
line has been made and rails and ties for
the road are being unloaded at the wharf
The grading has been about completed. An
appropriation of $1,000 has been given for
the construction of a siding and for coal
sheds.
There are in the asylum at the present
time about 214O inmates. Persons admit
ted to the institution continue to arrive
almost daily. Yesterday eight soldiers were
received from the Philippines. The sum Of
$1,000 has been appropriated for the re-
pairing of the favatory section of the old
building. The work is now going on.
Reliable Rhine and MOselIe Wines.
The house Of p. j. Valckenberg is an alb