New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-22
AN UPSTATE DILEMMA
Utica Doesn't Know What to Do with
Her State Insane Asylum.

| To tho Editor OF The Tribune.
| Sir In 1912 a statute was passed creating
n hospital for the care OF the insane III
| the city of Utica, which at the time OF us
/ construction was placed so far away from
the business and residence sections as 10
be entirely beyond the supposed probable
I growth OF the city. Since that time uuca
/ has grown TO more than seyenty-five thou
sand in population. and on her west bound
airy the State Hospital lands have also
grown until they extend as a barrier on
her entire western portion. save for one
exit q quarter Of a mile long. Through
the State Hospital grounds not q single
street or avenue has been built. and the
| growth OF the city in this direction is
blocked
For twenty years there has been an ac-
tive struggle between the residents OF
Utica and the State Hospital officials as 10
whether streets and bOulevards should %
opened through the hospital grounds. The
question has been in tho courts and in the
/ LEGISLATURE until the present year, Wheh
the Governor signed a bill permitting the
extension OF Hickory street through the
hospital grounds. Governor Dix was 80
| impressed with the situation now eXl5tns
at Utica that he directed the passage OF
bill authorizing the State Lunacy Commits
sion 10 purchase a new site approximatins
2 thousand acres az q suitable place, on
which new buildings should be erected
more suitable and more desirable In their
location and exposure. The commission Is
now ar work and sites have been offered
[ in many locations.
One of these sites is near the Delta Dam
and the now destroyed village Of Delta.
The conditions now existing might call for
al least the asking Of some Questions.
First-shoud hospital site which blocks
the growth of n community be held for
ever I'm q position 10 bar the development
Of a community and have the buildings
thereon increased in value by additions
when Il is perfectly clear that II viii not
he many years before the isolation Of the
site for the State Hospital Will be lost
forever by the erection Of residences on all
sides Of II?
second-If II is conceded that under the
above conditions a new site should De
selected. should It ne selected so near 10
the old site that another seventy years OF
growth will repeat the same error In It's
location?
Thirds it isolation with accessibility
with scenery, climate, proper soil, that Is
wanted for a site Of this sort for the
treatment Of the patients, or is It acces-
sibilty without isolation, in order that the
state and hospital officials and employees
shall he more comfortable?
Fourth-Does a state prison such as Sing
Sing and Auburn, or 4 state hospital, such
as the Utica State Hospital, add 10 tho at
Effectiveness and desirability Of a city in
drawing residents and industries 70 f. as
a centre?
These inquiries are Of general nature
and are Of much Importance TO the entire
state. as in the location Of state hospitals
home is sought in which the unfortunate
members Of ones own family may at some
time he called upon TO find a home and
treatment pending the release TO mental
activities in the world at large or the
passing TO the final resting place.
A. PIERREPONT WHITE.
T-tIca Y Y Sept ls 1911