Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-30
HOSPITAL FOR INSANE
WORK Din FEw BUILDINGS SOME
WHAT DELAYED.
Appropriations Made by Present Con-
gress for Improvements at the In
stitution9Farming Operations.

Difficulty in obtaining face brick from the
brick contractors has delayed advancement
to an extent mot previously anticipated
upon the twelve buildings of the extension
of the Government Hospital for the Insane
The foundations of all the structures have
been laid and the iron work is being reared
as fast as possible. The building material.
with the exception of the brick, is being
conveyed to the place of operations by rail-
road and then over the asylum switch. being
unloaded by means of cable. A force OF
about 100 men, including twenty bricklay-
ers is employed on the extension work. and
would be increased if the bricks named
could be delivered faster than has hereto
fore been the case.
The sundry civil bill formulated at the
present session of Congress carries an APP
preparation of $14o.O00 for an adminfstra-
ton building in connection with the extern
sion of the institution. 1t became neces-
sary when the new buildings were con-
tracted for to drop the administration
building included in the original plans In
order that the total cost of the structures
might be kept within the sum allotted for
the work of construction. An estimate for
such building was, however forwarded to
Congress by Dr. A. B. Richardson, the su-
permit endent of St. Elizabeth, and the board
of visitors to the institution, the favorable
action requested being finally taken by that
body, as stated.
Central Power Plant.
Another important appropriation granted
the institution by Congress is that Of
100000 for the purpose of building CEN
trail power and lighting plant, the need of
which will be intensified when the new
buildings are completed The construction
of this plant will soon occupy the atten-
ton of Dr. Richardson. 1t will be located
at convenient level along the line of the
a CN-lI Itch
construction to prevent the Inconvenience
manifest in the old heating plant now in
operation. 1t is estimated that it will be
necessary to build a mile of subterranean
gallery in extending the heating and light
ing lines. Congress has also provided
appropriation of $4,000 for the erection of
a new kitchen to be used for the Toner
buildings and the group forming the addi-
ton to St Elizabeth. An appropriation OF
800 has been given for the installation of
a gas machine, which will be operated for
the uses of the laundry. When this is
placed in operation the old gas house will
be done away with.
The work of razing the old frame build
1ngs occupied since the completion of the
institution as stables has been commenced.
These stables were in proximity to the ad-
ministration building, from which a fine
roadway is being constructed over the site
of the old buildings to be ultimately
tinued to the buildings Of the extension.
The new brick and frame stable east of
Nichols avenue Is being occupied and is
found ample for the requirements Of the
institutions 70
The corps of dairy hands has been given
rooms in the second story of the building.
The efforts of Superintendent Richardson
to renew the dairy herd and procure good
stock for this purpose are beginning to be
appreciated; as over 300 gallons of milk are
being distributed daily at the institution,
the herd now numbering $50 choice cows
There is no sickness among the cattle. The
herd Of swine kept on the farm land num-
bers 300. and the quarters in which these
are kept have been renovated and improved
to a great extent.
Farming for the institution is being prac-
ticed to greater degree than heretofore
on the several hundred acres of land be-
longing to the asylum in Maryland and
known as "Godding Croft" where a work
ing colony of patients, numbering about
dozen men, is maintained Corn and po-
tatoes being raised there successfully
in large quantities.