The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-02
1t Is Estimated that the Buildings
Would Cost Forty Thousand
Dollars Each.
FURTHER AGITATION ABOUT RE-
MOvAL OF INSTITUTE BUILDINGS.
Itinerary to BE Followed by the Com
mfttee This week-Other
Political News.

The trustees of the Blind Institute say
that II Is a question for the approaching
Legislature to determine whether the Insti-
tute shall be moved or new and more ex-
tensive buildings erected on the present
location adjoining ST. Clair Park. Some
thing must be done. they say, to relieve
the present crowded condition of the school,
and yesterday when the legislative COM
mittee on State institutions visited the in
stitution, the superintendent and trustees
presented the matter in its strongest light
Two years ago an effort was made to
move the institute to the edge of the city
and the Legislature had a strenuous fight
over the measure to that end. Finally the
bill was defeated. In view of that result
of the attempt at removal, the institute
officials this year are proceeding on the
theory that the institution will remain
where it is and that if the Legislature can
be induced to do anything it will be in
the way of new buildings. Consequently,
they are asking for two new dormitories,
one for girls on the west side of the pres
ent building and one for boys the east
side. Preliminary plans and estimates on
these buildings place the cost at about
$4,000 each.
improvements is the necessity of separat-
ing the sexes in the school. The members
of the legislative committee were salts
fed yesterday that this ought to be done
and 1t is believed that they will recon-
mend some measure looking to that end.
Another argument for new buildings is
that in the present building some of the
children are now compelled to climb four
t>1s- Il
and that this is not only inimical to their
health. but would be extremely dangerous
In case of fire. If a bad fire should break
out in the Blind Institute at present the
possibility of the loss OF life is appalling.
RELIEF MEASURES PROPOSED.
To relieve both of these bad conditions
1t is proposed to make the new dormitories
only two stories in height. Only the
stronger children would be domiciled in the
upper stories, with the result that none
would suffer from climbing stairs and the
danger of fire would be reduced to a
minimum.
1t was suggested yesterday that in the
event that it was decided by the Legisla-
ture to let the institute remain al its pres
ent location and to build the new dormi-
tories asked it would be necessary for the
State to take part of St. Clair Park into
the institute grounds. However, such
would not be the case IL was said by Off
cials of the institute. There is ample room
on either side of the present building for
a new dormitory of the character desired
and ST. Clair Park would not be disturbed
by their erection.
None of the members of the committee
would discuss the institute question last
night beyond indicating that the commit
tees recommendations IN regard to the pro-
posed buildings would be made only after
buildings are erected on the present loca-
ton IL will be a settled fact that the insti-
tute must remain there for many years
and IL is a serious question in the minds
of not only the members of the committee
but of other members of the Legislature
who have interested themselves in the mat
ter whether the school will not outgrow
this location so soon that costly improve
ments at this time would be an unwise step
The institute grounds are valued at about
500 600, and in case the Legislature should
decide to move the institution the sale of
the grounds would be a matter In which
the city of Indianapolis would be most
deeply interested, as the north end of the
tract is now used as a public park
The legislative committee left last night
there to-day. Tomorrow the COMMITTEES
will be at the State Normal at Terre Haute
returning to this city Thursday. The COM
mittee's plans for the rest OF the week
have not been made. but II was said last