The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-06-10
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE

The Contagious Hospital Opposed Un-
 less Located at Springside Farm. To the Editor of Journal and Courier:
 The fight having now been on for many years, without any practicable results in the matter is it not we'll to look around and see if there is now any more prospect of satisfactory solution than many years ago. While such an institution may be needed and would to some extent be used if we had 1t, still many think that thus far we have not suffered much without it, and If provided, would not be avail ed of, except in few exceptional cases, for as far as possible people would prefer to have their friends with them and personally care for them, rather than at distance whatever better facilitates there might be for such service even if this involved be- ing in quarantine. For this reason the proposal of spending $1OOOO0 for this purpose, or half this sum borders on reckless protligacy
 When built, $25,OO0 to $S0,0O0 at the outside is amply sufficient for such purpose, for the next thirty years, (aside from the land,) whe nadditions could be made if needed. It is safe to say that ninety-nine of the people in this city, are utterly opposed to hospital of this kind if located near them. and it is a gross violation of the golden rule of doing to others what you resent if done to yourself. What are we to think of any person who by vote or in any other way would foist this thing on his neighbor which he will not have near him if he can pre- vent it? Then again how has it come about that the most objectional site of all that have been mentioned, should be selected except to keep 1t from other parts of the city? Nearly every place named has been recom- mended because it was near a trolley. Is it proposed to convey contagious patients to the hospital in trolley Sdi Chl ~ 10 oellO tilaL ~ VIII DG cb convenience for the physicians going there If there is no danger in doc tors coming from the hospitals directly away in a trolley, how about the many passengers who see a man out of the hospital boarding the car?
 Most physicians are quite ready for practice at any distance from a street car, and have private conveyances which are more suitable for visiting such hospitals. The site first selected close to the Cedar Hill railroad yards, was not suitable even if no one object ed. Of the other places proposed, Der by avenue Is the much the worst of all Davenport avenue and Jewell street, and even Water street, are either pre- ferable. The Yale ball fields which much of the year are so often occupied, make that locality but little better than bedlam. If we are to have this building in central position, it should be on some side street but little trav- eled, where it is quiet, away from trolley travel, giving what is desirable to patients, freedom from outside ex- citement.
 But there is a still better way which 1t Is safe in saying all of ninety per cent of the people of this city have from the beginning of this controversy believed as was the very best even if 1t cost more, and that is at Springside There is plenty of land to be had with out cost, on a pleasant elevated loca- ton, with the best water that comes to the city, in fact an ideal place, as quiet as the country, with every thing conductive to early restoration to health. If trolley is needed prob ably there will be one there before long, but this Is an objection rather than otherwise. There has been only two things urged against Springside, one the distance for the doctors refer red to, and the distance and additional risk in, taking patients there. There is a considerable portion of the city that are not much farther from Spring side than from the twelfth ward lot proposed and would not the advan- tages of a quiet and healthful loca- ton outweigh the disadvantages if any, of little more time in taking patients there?
 Thus far there has been no effort to see if we could avail ourselves of some modern inventions, to overcome the dangers feared.
 At an expense of about $S,O0O an au- tomobile ambulance can be construct ed not the little contracted thing that we now have in service, but large enough for ample room for patient and attendant, fully protected from the most inclement season, warmed when necessary, and so complete in all re- spects, that no possible injury could come to a patient, if 1t took two hours to convey them. Such thing can be so constructed to ride so easily that no possibly injury could happen, ever if great speed was desirable. Let ne one say this cannot be done, for if the necessary cost was $5,000 it would be . good investment. 1 trust this sugges, tion of mine as a remedy for an un, pleasant situation, will receive some