Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-31
NEW ARMY HOSPITAL
SECRETARY TAFT APPROVES SUR
GEoN GENERALS REPORT.

Before leaving the city Secretary Taft
approved the recommendation of Surgeon
General O'Reilly for the erection of a new
general army hospital on the Cameron tract
on the west side of Brightwood avenue,
nearly opposite the Battle National ceme-
terry. Congress fixed the limit of cost of
this hospital including SITE at $500, GOO, and
appropriated 100000, which was made inn
mediately available, for the purchase of the
site.
The property acquired for the purpose
contains about forty-tbree acres and cost
about $9S,0O0, leaving $1,000 of the appro-
priation to be devoted to other expenses
in connection with the new building. The
property is owned almost entirely by ex-
Senator Donald Cameron of Pennsylvania.
General OReilly, in conversation with a
Star reporter today, gave some interesting
details in regard to the new enterprise.
AN army hospital said he. was estab-
lished at Washington barracks directly
after the Spanish war. It-has proved it
self to be most valuable adjunct to the
military administration. and it was there
fore desired to continue it in a permanent
form. In its present location that was i'm
possible. as the ground which IL stands
is required for the use of the engineer post
Congress at its last session authorized the
purchase of a site on which a military
hospital could be erected. In anticipation
of that action a board of o1ncers was con-
sttuted a year ago to examine sites and
to select and recommend one from among
those offered. The board was composed of
Col. c. R. Edwards, chief of the insuar
bureau; Maj. Chauncey B. Baker of the
quartermaster's department and Maj. Will
liam c. Borden of the medical department
Reasons for Choosing Cameron Tract.
These officers made a careful personal ex-
animation of such property was suffi-
cient in size to meet the demanded require
ment, and after careful consideration
lected and recommended the Cameron tract,
which is on the Brightwood road, nearly
opposite the National cemetery.
The tract extends to 14th street. and has
an area of about forty-three acres. The
ground is high and rolling, affording ad-
mira bic ma atural drainage. The Brightwood
trolley line passes the property, which is
also close to two stations of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad. The elevation is nearly
four hundred feet. In the opinion of the
board this site best combines all the requi-
sites of size, elevation, drainage, water sup
ply, ease of access and reasonable cost. The
recommendation of the board mas been ap-
proved by the Secretary of War;. and after
the legal formalities have been complied
with the tract will become the property of
the United States.
Model of Construction.
'It is contemplated that the hospital shall
be model of the latest approved fireproof
structon, so far as the limited ap-
preparation will permit. Earnest efforts
Will be made to combine these essential
features with an imposing architectural ef-
feet. The War Department fully realizes
that 1t is building for the future as well as
Tor the present and is much interested in
securing the best possible facilities for the
care and treatment of the sick and Injured
OIlcefS ana soldiers of the c0uQtry''