The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-02-05

of the site. Additional land, amount
ing to go acres, needed in order to
round off and make more symmetrical
the shape Of the reservation, has been
purchased, and the cleaning and grad
ing of the grounds has progressed rap
idly.
The present difficulties facing the
Branch are the questions of water sup
ply and the disposition of the sewerage.
A contract has been made with the
johnson City Water Company, but this
company does not seem to be carrying
out the spirit of the contract, as il is
reported that old material is being used
and in the placing Of the pipes at the
required depth the earth is piled on
the top of the ground to claim the
depth required by the contract instead
of having the trench or ditch at the pro-
per depth. II is understood that the
pipes crossing the stream are not suffi-
GENTLY sunk in the ground, and are
largely held in place by stones which
may be washed out during high water.
The company seems to have the adj
vantage in the clause looking to the
final purchase of the water plant at the
expiration of the lease. The clause in
the contract referring to delays from
accidents should have provided that
the governor should determine when
the length of time was considered rea-
sonable. SSH
If the water company should attempt
an undue advantage over the Home, it
may still be necessary for the Home to
look for new water supply. Such
supply is reported at q convenient dis
lance and at a reasonable price.
| Unfortunately, the Johnson City Wa
ter Company and its rival, the Watauga
Water Company, are involved in law
suits, injunctions and counter injunc-
tons having been granted, over titles
to land on which certain springs are
located which partly form or may form
the water supply of the Branch. Thus
far the Branch has not been embarrass-
J ed, but as the contest between these
} water companies continues embarrass-
ment may follow.
In regard to the disposition of the
sewerage, the town of johnson City is
considering the building of sewer for
the town, which, if built, is to connect
with the one from the Home; but if the
town should not build such sewer, q
septic tank will probably have to be
3 provided by the Home.
A new road from Johnson City has
been opened over the high ground,
which is desirable and avoids the rail
} road crossings on the old road. 1t is
9 understood that no tunnels for the
pipes have been provided; this is essen
tial, at least from the power house to
the mess hall, and from the power
house to the hospital. The mistake
made at the Danville Branch should
not be repeated, where the tunnels
were omitted; after the pipes were in
the ground they had to be dug up and
a tunnel made at considerable expense,
much of which could have been avoid
ed if they had been made when the
Home was built.
Construction work had commenced,
r and the walls Of several of the buildings
D of the hospital group were built to in
V clude the first story, and one of them
n had progressed to almost include the
+ second story. Progress had also beer
g made on the power house as we'll as the
: two barracks, which it is understood
e are to be three stories in height, with
4 basement. An examination of thu
9 plans showed some excessive distances
G Of the buildings; for example, it il
+ more than half a mile from the hospita
e to the chapel; many Of the GONZALES
+ cents, who are devout in the perform
It ance of their religious duties, will fine
the walk long one. ~
r The two tall barracks, although eacl
one having elevators, will, it is thought
IS be found inconveniently high. If TIN
d matter of appropriations were to b.
e considered, it would have been bette
l. to have left one barrack not built, ant
o to have carried out the former plan O
y barracks with two stories and attic. 1
o appropriations did not have to be con
l. sidered, then an architectural monu
J. ment should not be built An impress
}, sion prevails that this Branch is desireC
n by the architect to be monument t,
his skill and ability, and although tn
IS best architectural effect should be de
It sired, the prime purpose of the Brancl
Il being home for the old men SHOULD
Is not be lost sight of.
|, The proposed site OF the nurses quar-
y ters is too remote from the hospital, ant
D as for the site marked for the guard
l. house or barrack, it is extremely ia
d removed and lnconvenient.
1t A better site for the hospital coul,
10 have been obtained if the building
had been built more closely and con
y veniently together, which is Away
g much to be desired where very old mel
r are to be provided for.
lie 1t is understood that the architec
10 has made only two visits to the Branch
is and although he has Representative