The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-20
williams plan
FOR HOSPITAL
Councilman Physician Opposes
Spending $4,000 for a Negro
Almsl1ouse.
SESSION Of Of COMMITTEE IN Z !.
Arguments Adduced in Favor oi
This Plan, But Action There
on Deferred.

finally adjourned subject to tho call Of
the chairman, after having ordered
printed hundred copies OF DR.. Ennion
house on the city farm and an emer-
gency hospital in the central portion OF
the city.
When the session is described as a
stormy one, it is not meant to imply
that there was any personal feeling IN
the debate. but merely that vigorous.
continuous and at times somewhat linz
| passioned argument was had. After the
committee had called n truce by de-
| ferring final action on the emergency
hospital proposition, further debate en-
sued on Mr.. Ellett's motion TO have
copies Of the plan printed for the In
formation of the members.
Hardly had this concluded before Mr..
Elletts proposition TO return to Con-
tractor Bedford his check, submitted with
his bid on the colored almshouse, prtci-
| plated another debate which was only
settled by going back to the records.
The contractors ibid did NOT come
within the amount Of the available APP,
prorriation. and the opinion of the
| City Attorney was that the committee
had not the right to alter o. amend
| the specifications so as to permit tho
award of the contract beyond the SUN
| available,
There are two opposing views in the
COMMITTEES as to the desirabillty Of
constructing negro almshouse at the
| City Home property one faction favor
| ing this ana the other preferring a
negro almshouse Of cheaper construc-
ton on the city farm and an emer-
| gcncy hospital for the INDECENT Ill of
both races in the city.
Dr.. Williams's Statement.
| Dr. Wiiams's plan for q negro aims
! house and an emergency hospital were
4 embodied in carefully prepared state
ment III the nature of an argument After
! stating that the city must provide FOR
! two races and for the various classes
4 OF unfortunates, DIR. Williams states that
to provide for all these must be had:
First, q white nlmshouse for the lndi-
gent. aged, mentally weak, incurable and
.ubercular.
Second, "a colored almshouse for thu
same classes.
Third, a general hospital for boil
white and colored durable, maternity
| and emergency cases, with wards TO-
ipersons having contagious and infsc
| ltious diseases.
II DIR. Williams then urges that IN
stead of expending $4,000 for three
| story modern brick almshouse fo
negroes, the money would be NOR
wisely used by, constructing on ~
| city farm OF 1Go acres, near this city
| a one and twp-story negro an fousf
| which will be an inexpensive IRAN
| structure
| Accompan his statement is ORA"
\ irg of the front elevation and floor plal
| of such an almshousc AZ he contenl
/ plates. 1t provides for one-story build
l ing $50 feet long and 80 feet wide, VII
il two-story structure forming the Ger
| tral portion for q distance OF ABOUT I'M!
ty feet and running back at rlght :nlsie
70 the onc-story The two-story porto
contains executive offices, dlnlhs -fooi'
kitchen and laundry
| Objections to Almshouse.
| The doctor then states the folloWin
4 objections tO5pthe proposed neBIos ann ann
house at the City Home: ~ a. rs,
! i. 1t is meant for both Hospital az
- nlmshousc. and is not the pest
= 2. No member thinks 1t Is the peg
!. arrangement for either. ,,,soa
: arrangement that could be devised.
ls 8. No estimate has yet been haa
IS the cost Of It's equipment :
1. No provision has been mace i
st fire-walls or vermin-proof Walls :
S. 10 provision has been made =,
N n Kitchen which Will be necessary.
r G. Its location is too far from !
Mt white homefto have entire ~ me y, sa'
Id illustrative force loI 1911 go
Il. supcrintcndent ana attendants ;,
is I It's complete cost will not pc !,
than 100000. aud this could be far bct1
/, spent for treating the curaDie III anu
cr nictcd Of both races, -
s.. In Caring for the ctiraplc hna a.
a. incurnble tho durable should receive II
IN consideration. !,
equipped hospital for the curaDle WI
Us and colored patients than for an am
,es house for the colorcd incurablc.
= What Physicians Say.
ay' DR., Williams then takes UP the Z n
an pital conditions Of the city. and sho
III that the hospitals are burdened by
care OF the city's poor and that me q
IN ference between self -support and depel
81 cnce is due TO this burden, After spei
ing of the relations OF the medical {
ys. legcs ana hospitals. Or. Williams INC
III porates the following statement from q
nent physicians bearing on the proDlt
~ We Wise and recommends;
ga "I'Irst, that the LOspitn be sep
80 nrutcd from the NlnshOuAc.
"Sccund. that the city provide I'M
,,is muintnin IL free hospital for the IN
IN diSrnt ana needy sick.
~ "Thirtl, that the medical scrNic
No to suri, a. hospital Do rendered y
oYn n volunteer stan chosen from U,
Ia fncultles OF the two medical Ach0Ol
ON, In the city, aud that this same sta
shall likewise render ~ mllnr Erl,t
uitons medical Herylcc~tO the aims
houses l,vI,ltc aud cOl0rcd),
meg lSiEncdb
80, "GEonGE BEN JOHNSTON,
~ "WM. y. GORDON,
'Ich "ClfRlSTOPlTii, 'rOMPKIS'
IN "LE\SlS e. UOSiIEit,