The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-12-08
MANY IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
Insists that Asylum is in Excellent Con-
dition but Better Fire Protection of
Patients Should be Provided at This
Timas

which is now used by Kenosha county
for the exclusive care Of it's patients
is not self sustaining, it never has
been and it will be some years before
the financial condition reaches that de-
sired pinnacle.
This was in effect what David H.
Flett, one Of the trustees of the institu-
tion told the members of the board of
supervisors Of Racine county at the
session Wednesday afternoon, following
remarks pertaining to the need Of mod
ern water closets at the asylum and
also a supply of new fire hose for the
rebuilt water system.
''An impression has gone out in some
quarters and has been published in one
of the local newspapers, that the coun-
ty asylum is self sustaining" said Mr..
Flett. EfIt is not self sustaining and
it will be some years before it is. The
only way to make 1t self sustaining is
to increase the productiveness of the
institution and / for one propose to
work for that result
Mr.. Flett explained that an appropria-
tion made by the board for paying in
surance was in part used to operate
the asylum last year and that was the
reason no appropriation was asked for
this year. "But,'' he said, don It be-
lieve that it is self sustaining, for it is
not. SO you viii be called upon for an
appropriation next year.
What possibly led to the belief that
the institution was self sustaining was
the supplementary report made by
Chairman William Shenkenberg Of the
trustees, which said that no appropria-
ton would be needed for running the
place this year. This was taken as
meaning that it had been self sustain
ing last year.
Mr.. Flett told the members of the
board that there were some facts relat-
ing to the asylum that they ought to
be enlightened upon. It was his opin-
ion that they were pumping altogether
too much water at the asylum. He said
that the closets were not in good CON
dition and something must be done.
He told how the trustees had plumbers
out to the asylum to examine the condi-
ton; then the state board of control
and that body advised a visit to Men
dota asylum. This visit was made.
Then the question of closets was taken
up with three of the leading wholesale
plumbing houses of Chicago, all Of
whom sent representatives to look over
the conditions. They reported back.
Mr.. Flett explained the various svs-
tens and the consensus of opinion of
the trustees and others was thar rhe
tank system was the best. This would
cost about $50 bowl and there are
thirty three toilets and an appropria-
ton of 81 800 would be necessary. Mr..
Flett advised the installing of one
battery first on trial and as an expert
ment.
Zone other thing that is greatly
needed, said Mr.. Flett, "and must be
had, and that is fire hose. You have
installed first class water and fire
protection system and there ought to
be 800 feet of new hose. The city
paid 80 cents foot for it's last hose
and the trustees do not figure on more
than ST. a foot. =
1T was the opinion of the board mem
bers that the hose should be purchased
but whether single or double, Jacket
hose ought to be bought was a cues
ton. There is considerable old hose
at the building and this can be used
inside the buildings, but new hose is
necessary for the outside. There was
some talk of engaging a fireman at the
institution to fire the boilers, instead
of an inmate acting as fireman. With
a sane fireman the impression was that
a great deal of fuel could be saved.
Mr. Flett mentioned the new heating
plant and assured zthe board members
that it was working very satisfac-
torily and it is hoped that considerah bile
fuel can be saved heating the build
ings this year,