The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-06
STATE BUILDINGS.
Suggestions Looking to Improve
ments in Construction and safety.

| Suggestions Looking to Improve
ments in Construction and Safety.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal
In the Journal of Dec. / there appeared
an admirable article under a general head
| ing of ITO Get at Facts which contained
an account of the systematic methods OF
| the state legislative committee in getting
| information relating to the various state
institutions. 1t is probably true that at
no time within the history of the Safe has
| the business management of the state inst-
| tutions been subjected to more sincere
| and capable business direction than under
the general guidance of Governor Durbin
| and Auditor Hart, in which they have been
ably seconded by the legislative committee
! on state institutions, of which Senator
| Goodwine is the chairman, and by the sec
! rotary of the State Board Of Charities. The
report of the legislative committee TO the
next Legislature will present an array OF
! facts in systematic and intelligent form,
! which is far superior to anything of that
character which has hitherto been pre-
sented to that body in relation to state in
| situations. 1t is probable that in relation
| to general business management it will
| leave little to be desired in the way of i'm
| provement. This report, however, is one
! of the first steps of its kind, and like other
first steps. it is somewhat uncertain and
unsteady with respect to certain details.
l have in mind particularly that which
| relates to new buildings, steam and insur-
ance engineering and other permanent ply
steal improvements The building work of
| the state institutions has, in the main, been
! allowed to take its own way. In large
number of cases the work done in its in
ception or execution has been very indif-
ferently done. The work OF construction In
the three hospitals for the insane at
! Evansville, Logansport and Richmond was
we'll conceived, but executed in faulty
manner. The result was not such as to en-
courage the perpetuation of the system of
| construction therein employed in other
buildings for the various institutions OF the
| State. The reason for the Indifferent char
acter of the building and engineering work
| in the various state institutions is clear
enough Generally speaking, the improve
ments of these institutions are conceived
directed and, to a large extent, controlled
other executives having these insutu-
these officers should have a clearer
idea of the functional requirements of their
institutions than any one else. For in
| stance, medical engineer is invaluable and
absolutely essential in the proper planning
of Logansport, was the dominant spirit
in that capacity in the general arrange
ment of the three hospitals for the insane
above mentioned, and in that work his
perior special and general knowledge will
always call for commendation The presi-
dents of other institutions of an education
al character must always be consulted and
must dominate the functional demands OF
buildings which come under their charge.
The demand for great capacity makes good
building and equipment impossible. / have
been connected with sufficient number
of public improvements to know that with
out exception, many important details are
either neglected or slurred over for the
purpose of securing additional accommoda-
tion No one knows better than the heads
of these institutions, charitable, education
al or otherwise. the crying demand for in
creased capacity. With few exceptions, so
far as know, the economy of future main
tenance has suffered because of this fact.
The fire hazard in many of our institutions
is frightful to contemplate. This may be
said without taking into consideration the
question of the expense of protection
against loss by fire. When it comes to
the matter of steam and power engineer
ing, the waste of money through the eX-
travagant and unnecessary use of coal is
something frightful to contemplate. In
industrial or private corporations or firms
such wastefulness could not be tolerated
without bankruptcy. The general system of
heating in most of the institutions is in
efficient or extravagant. Exhaust steam is
wasted by throwing it out of doors i'm some
instances. The water of condensation is
not always properly returned to the boil
ers. nor are the supply and return pipes
sslways properly pro Installed or INSULATED
efficient water-tube boilers, though that
part of the apparatus q, Is which has to do with
| the steam dIter IL is generated IS not al
ways on the same plane of excellence as
the part which generates the steam.
1 have plan to suggest which l am sure
would result in a great measure of economy
to the State. That is to have all of the
apparatus in each of the state institutions
which in any way is related to the econom-
cal use of fuel examined and reported
upon by the engineering department and
pupils of Purdue University. 1t may be
truthfully said that no institution in the
country stands higher in practical mechan-
| engineering nd
no pupils are more highly priced by indus
trial institutions. report from that in
stitution could be formed the result of
excursions by its pupils under competent
supervision and direction during school
terms, and to some extent during vacations.
An appropriation by the Legislature for
this purpose within a relatively short time
would save dollars where IL cost cents
In the matter of insurance engineering
the path ahead of us is long and rocky
one A few years ago the State University
freproof all ''but'-the upper works and
roof. The but" burned off The insur-
ance money. with some help. eliminated the
a roof. all of freproof construction The
new science hall for that institution is in
disputably one of the best buildings in the
State from an insurance standpoint, for
. the reason that insurance for the building
, itself would be unnecessary.
For the time being the general use of
steel in our public institutions must be re-
stricted because of the scarcity and weight
of that material. However, it is true that
there are other methods of construction
, which have been used and are being
used which are entitled to and are receiv.
the steel frame buildings. l refer to the
; , well-constructed, modern, slow-burning
: methods, which in some of the Eastern
: States now being insured for less than
! one-fourth of per cent.
! LOUIS H. GIBSON.
; indianapolis. Dec L.