The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-12-11
IMPROVEMENTS
AT THE ASYLUM
A. b. MOSS, MEMBER OF BOARD
OF TRUSTEES, TELLS OF GOOD
WORK BEING DONE.
Old Cottage Remodelled and Repaired
at Cost Of $4,000, Until It is Equal
to a New $4,000 Structure.
Cleft Over From Last Week.)

(LClI ONcI rIOm AdSt WCCh.J 3t
A. B. Moss of Payette, chairman OF
the board of trustees of the state
mental hospital at Blackfoot, came
down on the ''Ping Pong from
Blackfoot last night, after a meeting
of the asylum board. He spent few
hours here, and went west on No. /.
When asked as to what the board
had done at the meeting, Mr.. Moss
said:
"The board met for the purpose of
inspecting and receiving the heating
and plumbing contracts given to
Green & Higsen. After thorough
test, it was found that the system had
no leaky parts and was perfect in
operation. Steam leaving the main
boiler plant and travelling through an
underground 4-inch pipe, asbestos
covered, a distance of 612 feet, enter
ing the old cottage building and all
the dormitories, and all floors and
registers showing that the system was
in perfect working order. Not sin
gle leak, no steam escaping was
found in any part of the old cottage
building, where this system had been
perfected. In IL minutes after
steam was turned on, the old build
ing, condemned 10 years ago by the
then directory of the asylum, was
found to be thoroughly warmed, and
in habitable condition. Over
year ago the superintendent had ad-
vised the board that the cottage had
to be put in condition in habitable
manner for occupancy, or new
building should be constructed. Upon
receipt of this view from the superin-
tendent, a thorough investigation
was made to the condition of the
walls, the foundation and the upper
structure of the cottage. The report
given was that all that would be
necessary for a permanent structure
existed in the present condition of the
old cottage, that the outside walls FOR
a distance of four feet from the foun-
dation would have to be concreted
with Portland cement. That where
here and there occurred a failure in
brick to have preserved it's first con-
dition, cement would have to be used,
and that the outside of the entire
building should be painted; that the
inside of the building, as to cement
and plastered walls, should be re-
paired; that the floors, ceilings, case
ments and windows, must be put in
renewed condition; that the roof,
which was found upon examination,
was still in good condition, requiring
only metallic paint for preservative,
would leave the building in as good
condition as any in the asylum hold
ings. All these conditions have been
complied with, and because of the
efforts of the bord, aided by mere
cost contract in the plumbing and
heating on the part of the firm to
whom the contract was awarded, the
state has received a proposition that
is of sure value, for the expenditure
of the moneys that they have author
lied. And today the condition of all
the property of the Idaho insane asy-
lum, it's lands, it's improvements and
the proper arrangement of the home,
has given to the inmates of that insti-
tuition at very low expenditure per
capita for maintenance, one of the
best homes of it's kind IN our coun-
try"
what will these new improve
ments mean to the institution" Mr.
Moss was asked.
"It will mean," he said, "that at
least 80 more inmates can be cared
for in an intelligent and comfortable
manner in the new buildings, as In
any part of the main institution.
Asked if there would be any de-
ficiency warrants, Mr.. Moss stated.
Positively, no. We are living
within the appropriations, and will
turn in money on the appropriation
at the end of our fiscal year. The re
construction of the old building, once
condemned, has given to the state {
building, which if it was put up new
would have cost $4,000, and it was
reconstructed at cost of not more
than $4,000. A great deal of tina
has come out OF the increased produc
ton of the farm and orchard and gar
len, through intelligent management
of the institution, and with the labol
of the inmates themselves, who taxi
pride in their work, and who arr
the better for it mentally and phys1
cally. The expenditures In the i'm
provements of the institution durini
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