The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-27
MISS RITTENBERRY
 ON HOSPITAL SITE
Presents Further Objections to Hav- ing It Located on Red Mountain


 Miss Alma Rittenberrv has written +be following supplementary letter on the proposal to use a part of the cty's Red Mountain property for the anti-tubercu- losis hospital:
 Birmingham, Ala, June 2e, 1911.
 Hon. James Weatherly, City Commis.
 sioner. Birmingham, Ala.
 . Dear Sir: Whether well-founded oi otherwise, it must be admitted that there Is prejudice against hospitals in resi- dential sections. People don't want to live in the neighborhood of sickness, more particularly where highly contagious dis eases, such as tuberculosis, are treated, and it must be admitted that the location of tuberculosis hospital, especially q collection of unkempt tents, will greatly depreciate the value of real estate in its vicinity. The citys Red Mountain park is worth over $500 per acre. It is proposed to take a considerable part of this val uable land for an anti-tuberculosis camp. This land has no advantage for that pur- pose over lands which could be bought for N0 per acre. The latter would be away from the dust and noise of the city and would inconvenience no one, and cheapen the value of no ones property.
 Tuberculosis patients need very little treatment by physicians. One of the chief advantages of the tuberculosis camps Is that the patients are out of the influence of meddlesome doctors, and are given an opportunity to breathe the fresh air and to have the cure made by nature. These suffering ones need the benefit of the rest ful quiet of the country, with its green fields and sunshine They need to be away from the suburbs of noisy city.
 For these and other reasons which might be stated, 1t would be better for the patients that the camp be located further from the city. It will be to the city's financial interest, as a cheaper site can be found, and perhaps one will be do- mated The city should guard its public parks with jealous care. They are the heritage of the future and are the one compensation that posterity may hope for to equalize the heavy burden of debt that our municipality is handing down. Many large anti-tubercuoss hospitals in the west have no resident physician. Medi- cal attention is needed very infrequently, even where over 100 patients are kept. There is, therefore, no necessity that we should have an eye single to the conven- fence to doctors offices and drug stores. Another matter to which attention should be given is that the association for which MT. Bowie speaks Is a private organization. It is not under the control Al. reject the suggestions of the city and county officials, and conduct itself ac- oording to the untrammeled will of it's private directors. The purpose of the Anti-Tuberculosis association Is highly laudabe and charitable. but, after all, it is 8 private charity, not different in its nature from St. Vincent's hospital. the Mercy Home, and other private nstitu- tions. There Is no more reason for giv- ing the use of the city's, parks to one pri- vate organization, devoted to charity, than to others of similar nature. There fore, to give this association a place in one of our public parks is a highly dan gerous precedent ~
 Your attention is respectfully directed to the fact that the city authorities have no lawful right to give this association a site for their camp, and any citizen dis posed to do so can, by injunction, prevent such a donation. This is a subject of great importance and should not be left by the commission to the park commis- sioners. Indeed, no authority has been given to the latter to handle such ques- tion. Besides, it is said that MT. kaul the president of the park commission, is indirectly connected with the AntiTu- berculosis association. and. naturally, he would not be expected to act impartiaily'
 ''The location of the anti-tuberculosis camp should be made either at some place remote from the city, or at some place in the city where connections may be made with the sanitary sewers Located at the proposed site, 1t will be a menace to the public health, and neighboring property owners may well be alarmed. If any con siderable number of patients should ever be treated at the camp any adequate sanitary precautions will be practically impossible The vicinity of the proposed camp has already suffered from the loca- ton of the pauper cemetery. Development was prevented for years by the situation of the county pest house nearby. The lat ter nuisance has been abated by removal, but it is now proposed to locate the anti tuberculosis camp upon the same site. This is a gross injustice to the neighbor- hood, and prevents the development of the vicinity which is the most beautiful In the suburbs of the city. Respectfully,
 "(Miss) ALMA RiTTENBERRY."