The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-13
WORK ON
STATE SAN|TOR|UM /!

rooms reveals the alarming fact that
scarcely single wall or ceiling is sound.
What Is liable 10 occur when once the
buildings are subjected TO high tempera
lures may well he left to the magma
tion
In many Of the rooms the kase boards
carelessly laid have turned away from
the pastering to such an extent that deep
and wide crevices appear where all should
be snug and tight.
IN MISERABLE SHAPE.
II is surprising 10 find the floors
throughout tho three buildings construct
ed Of second rate" maple. laid 10 all
appearances when green" and put down
In short lengths" many pieces not over
foot In length. Such floors are never
reliable, never satisfactory Already mum
berless cracks and seams are visible and
what will happen when heat attacks them
makes attractive food for thought
Floors. walls and ceilings, everywhere
practically. are aaring proofs of insult
icient regard for careful and adequate
construction. Already the buildings are
in miserable shape, and what difficulties
may ultimately arise will be far from
creditable TO the state OF Rhode Island.
That these glaring faults are made in
fnitely more deporahle when one con-
siders their bearing upon the conduct Of
the care and treatment of consumptive
patients Is readily apparent. Grave dan
gers arise from the unsubstantial and un-
protected nature Of the foundation ma
sonry. Dampness is everywhere invited
10 penetrate the floors and walls Tho
snstable condition Of the plaster of walls
and ceilings menaces patients with bodily
injury. as well as affording most un
hygienic cracks for the lodging and breed
ing OF the dread baccilll. The danger
seems doubly imminent through the pres
ence of warped and seamy floors and
multi-cracked walls and ceilings.
COMMISSIONS STATEMENT.
When interviewed as TO the relation and
attitude OF the state sanatorium commits
sion towards the questionable condition
now existing at the sanstorium buildings.
the commissioners Hon. &. Alvin Potter,
Harry c. Curtis, Col. Frank r. Easton.
Edwin A Perrin. Theodore S. Hughes and
Arthur w Joyce. the secretary OF the
commission. made n reply. through one
OF their number, the substance OF which
is follows:
The position -ef- -thA-statA- commission In
relation to the sanatorium buildings in
their present incomplete and temporary
condition, may he aptly likened TO that OF
a Jury sitting I'm judgment upon case.
Ultimately II will devoIve upon the jury
to render verdict on which the final out
come OF the case I'm question shall rest.
But Its members are constrained against
the expression OF opinions in the matter
until the evidence OF both sides has been
given. and the testimony 10 be considered
stands complete
In like manner the state commission
will be called upon TO render it's decision. |
buildings will he either accepted or re- /
jected by the state. But this rejection !
can not be made until such Nine as the |
shall be formally offered by the |
as complete and ready for |
judgment. II is neither the duty nor the !
purpose OF the commission to offer its de- |
clsion or give expression 20 it's approval /
or disapproval OF existing conditions until 4
Its decision is requested by the contractor. 4
WORK NOT YET ACCEPTED.
At the present time no portion OF the |
work. completed or uncompleted has been \
by the commission: nor will any
portion OF completed work be accepted I
until ~ shall comply fully with the terms /
of the specifications as prepared by the
architect The buildings can never he ac-
nepted by the commission until all faults
ls TO materials or workmanship that may
now exist shall have been fully remedled
In accordance with the terms OF the
payments have been made I'm
return for labor performed and materials
furnished These payments have been
made upon the receipt OF written state
nentg from the contractor properly
vouched Tor by the representative OF the
commission at the buildings. by the archi-
ect In supervision. and by the governor
If the state. such payments are not I'm
my instance to be construed 90 mean the
lfficial acceptance OF the work for which
Practically none OF the work upon the
'snltorium buildings is at present com
,leted and the responsibility for tho tenn
,ornry conditions az the buildings must
ests wholly with the contractors rs no
'oriion ~ The work has as vet received
'nicial recognition and acceptance The
appropriation thus FAR assigned 70 the san
Itorium amounts 10 tloi,O0 which sum