The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-02
PUT NEGRO POOR
ON ClTY'S FARM
Eminent Physicians Urge the
Plan by Which 1t Is Proposed
to Give the INDECENT Ill
Benefit Of Skilled Medi-
cal and Surgical
Attention.

DIR. Ennior G. Williams a member of
the Council Committee on Relief OF the
Poor, succeeded last night In winning in
the initial step toward the establishment
In this city Of an emergency hospital for
the treatment Of the INDECENT III and for
ambulance cases and operation. 1t was
just a beginning. but 1t was STRAW
which may be regarded as very significant
% the attitude of the committee on this
problem, TO which 1T haa given special
study and thought. The adoption of
the suggested plan-and 1t is now in a
preliminary stage-would mean the di-
vorce of the hospital from the aims
house and the treatment OF the diseased.
the injured and those requiring opera
tions By men expert in the various spe-
ciaities of medical and surgical practice,
practically without charge to the city,
save the initial expense OF the construc-
ton or purchase of hospital centrally
located and properly adapted 10 the
requirements.
The victory was not gained without
stubborn fight In which Mr.. Guns', the
chairman OF the committee, led the
opposition, which advocated the con-
struction OF a new negro almshouse at
an aggregate cost of something approxi-
mating $4,000. The bids on the colored
Charles K. Bryant and amended in many
particulars by various members of the
committee, exceeded the appropriation OF
about $4,000. The committee recon-
mended deferring action on the matter
Of the award OF contract until after the
City Home inquiry had been concluded
Importance of Change
When the subcommittee investigating
conditions and needs at the dual insti-
tuition, known as the City Home, made
It's report recommending some Interior
Improvements In system and various de-
fects many declared that this was the
end of the whole matter.
1t was Insisted by The Times Dispatch
at the time that the end of the matter
had not then been reached. and that
the information cleaned by that inquiry
and carefully recorded would be util-
lied hereafter In support of certain I'M
portant recommendations looking to the
betterment of the hospital service and
the increase of It's efficiency. The FEAST
bility of the erection and maintenance
OF centrally located emergency hos
pital was suggested at that time. and
was to some extent considered By the
subcommittee.
Now the movement to separate the
almshouse and the hospital has been
openly and strongly begun and is sug
ported by noted medical and surgical
specialists and men whose Judgment is
widely respected.
Last night DR.. George Ben. Johnston,
an eminent surgeon Of this city, and DR..
William s. Gordon, who ranks as high in
the profession, appeared before the COM
tnittee and urged the wisdom, and i'm
portance OF adequately providing for the
treatment of the INDECENT sick. They
were followed by DIR. Ennion G. VIII
!iams, one Of the most prominent of the
younger members of the profession and
one of the most progressive, who pre-
sented alternative plans for the better
care of the INDECENT sick. and in this
connection a plan for the care OF the
INDECENT negroes. by placing them in
comfortable buildings on. the city farm
of l60 acres, where they might enjoy
outdoor life and fresh air and greater
freedom than in It three or four-story
building in the city. The alternative
plans for the treatment of the INDECENT
sick and the injured are as follows:
That arrangements be made with the
present hospitals to look after these on
a per diem basis; that one of the pres
ent hospitals in the city be taken over
and run by the city as an emergency and
INDECENT hosptal that the municipality
construct and operate such a hospital In
the central portion of the city.
DIR. Wiiams's plan for the care of the
negro poor contemplates the construc-
ton of ones story frame structures on the
city farm, at a cost of about $4,000, in
stead of the expenditure of 100000 or