Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-16
Nearing Completion on Old
Observatory Site.
GROUP OF BUILDINGS
HIGHEST ELEVATION NEAR CITY
OF WASHINGTON.
Will Be Ready for Occupancy by Sick
Sailors in OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
and Up-tc-Date.

On the crest of one of the prettiest hills
In the city of Washington there is being
erected the new United States Naval Hos
pftal Nearly a year ago ground was
broken on the site of the Old naval obser-
vato-y. at the foot of 25d street northwest
and today four handsome hospital build
ings nearing completion. From the I'M
finished porticos one may look down upon
the turbid Potomac and across and away
into the hills of Virginia. To the south
the river runs on into the distance until its
borders seem to merge with the waters and
all identity is lost. At the foot of the hill
is the rock where Braddock. the intrepid
landed. and off to the east is Maryland
To the north and northeast there is the
city. for the new hospital is the highest
elevation in the country roundabout In
fact, so choice is the site that often there
has been talk of building there the Eecu-
tive Mansion, where future Presidents
might rest from the wearying labors of the
day and feast their eyes upon the waters
and the woodland Now this privilege soon
will belong to the sick sailors and the OFF,
GERS of Uncle Sans naval organization.
The building and equipment will be COM
pleted In September, provided the plans of
the contractor come out right.
Two or three years ago 1T was discovered
by some alert statesman that the naval
hospital which has long existed at the cor
ner of Pennsylvania avenue and 9th street
southeast was overcrowded, and that there
was not room 10 properly minister to the
needs of the sick and injured tackles. The
present Institution will be more commo-
dlous, and Will relieve the congestion Then,
too. convalescents Will have something else
TO watch than street cars and trades wag-
ons and the antics of street urchins. They
- IF tha hos
pltal and watch winter merge into spring
and spring give way to summer The sue
ceSsion of the seasons and the turning OF
the leaves will help vary the scene and
preclude monotony.
Four in Number.
The buildings are four in number, an ad-
ministration building, which will be the
nome OF the sufgeon-in-charge; two wards
each Of which will accommodate twenty
jackies, and an operating pavilion. with
floor and ceiling and walls of glazed tile
and every facility for the successful appli-
cation OF surgery and the prevention of
contagon or infection. The institution is
to be thoroughly modern. The construction
Is OF pressed brick and concrete, and is de-
clared by the contractor, the General Sup
ply and Construction Company of New
York city. 10 be absolutely fireproof
The administration building faces north
and is situated directly south of the old OBJ
Of Hygiene and Medical School 1t is of
three stories and basement. seventy feet
front and fifty feet deep. Its architecture
Is the same as the other buildings-a mix
ture of colonial and Dutch, enhanced by the
pressed brick construction. with white en-
amel quoins and decorative panels. The
windows and doorways are trimmed with
Indiana limestone Besides the surgeon
fn-charge, quarters In this building will be
provided for the officer of the day, and on
the third floor will he apartments for the
stewards, pharmacists and nurses. The
second floor will be devoted TO nine suites
OF rooms for invalids or injured naval Of
hcers, a general dining room and diet
kitchen, where food may be prepared ac-
cording to the physicians prescriptions. On
the first floor will be the officers. while In
the basement Will be the X-ray room, and
rooms where other branches of modern hos
pital science may be demonstrated. The
building will be finished in white quartered
oak. Here also will be installed the cen
trail station for the private telephone Sys-
tenn which will connect every room in the
Institution. The ventilating and sewerage
methods are of the bes~. and although the
four buildings are being put up for some
thing like s150o00. the highest possible
standard is being maintained.
Arrangement of Wards.
The wards are one story in height, with a
basement and a storage room or attic
above One ward is directly east of the adj
ninistration building and one directly west
They are attached to the main building by
passageways. and a person standing in TIL,
center of the administration building may
look clear through the wards to the biz
open fireplaces at either end. The ward!
are fifty feet deep by fifty feet front, ant
conform to the general scheme of archi
lecture and material diet kitchen vii
be installed in each ward and the eutir'
interior finish will be of Georgia pine. TIT
front steps and approach walk north of thu
administration building. will be of granite
The operating pavilion is the most inter
estirg of all. The care with which II ha:
been constructed the immaculate filing
the air OF absolute cleanliness, almos
makes one desire to be invaliGed, II recov
cry might be had with such environment
The operating room IS lighted by a sky
light twelve by fifteen feet, and will b
equipped with every conceivable surgical
appliance There ere facilities for ser
tlizing, and nothing in the way Of instru
ments or bandages will be used until mad'
antiseptic. In the basement of the pavilion
will be located the kitchen and dining room
for the nurses and attendants.
Administration Building.
The administration building is connected
with the operating pavilion by a covered
passageway walled with glass. This vii
be used by convalescents a sort of SUI
parlor, and here they may sit and lool
down over the hill into the river and int
the hills beyond he location seems L
be ideal for an institution of this character
and 1t is evident that sick jackies are t
have some advantages over their health,
comrades.
The amount appropriated for the build
ings was sl25,000. but as no mention wa.
made In this appropriation for plumbing
and interior fittings. the contractors fine
that another 1000 will be needed befor
the work can be completed. There is son
talk Of erecting convalescents' pavilion
20 the southeast of the present group, al
additional ward. an isolated ward and ,
residence for the surgeon In charge. Thi