The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-13
BECK'S ESTIMATES
ARE EXCESSIVE
Members OF Hospital Commit
tee Think Figures as to
Cost Are Too High.
NOW SEEK DEFINITE FACTS
DIR. Johnston Offers 10 Secure
Preliminary Sketches From
Architects.

In order to set more accurate and
ochnltc Information az TO the cost oil
converting the Memorial into {, mod
ern and complete city hospital, the
special joint committee from the Coun-
ell Committees on Relief of the Poor
ana Finance yesterday afternoon de-
cidcd to secure architects, sketches
and proposals from builders on The cost
ui probable extensions, il being held
by several members and by several
physicians that the estimates submit
ted by Building Inspector Beck wcr.
excessive
Mr.. Beck reported that after cxanl-
nation of tile Memorial lie was oil opin-
ION That to convert ii into complete
city hospital Tor all purposes it world
De necessary to make expenditures as
follows: Alterations and repairs to
present building, $4,000; acquisition OF
adjoining property OH Broad Street.
S2o,oO0; erection on same of II duplicate
Of the present hospital. as Il hospital
tor negroes. to cost 100000 and
equipment for same, $4,000; acuuisi-
ton of adjoining property on Governor
Street and remodclins of residences
into nurses home. $4,000. making
with tho $4,000 debt Oh the present
Memorial Hospital, Il total outlay II
$4,000. Mr.. Beck said he WAS in
FORMED that Il modern, up-to date hos
pital. fully equipped. could be erected.
with the same capacity as the Memo
rial with the proposed annex, fer not
moro than S250,0Uo, aud he sugg .stcd
as possible Site tile Clark's Spring
property, back OF Hollywood Cemetery
AT the south end OF Harrison Street
belonging TO the city, and once Used
az Il site for the city smallpox hospital
Can Cut Cost In HnIr.
DR.. George Ben Johnston. head OF
no sE{t
Hospital expressed the opinion that
Mr. Bccks hgures could be reduced
one half. 1t would not be necessary
to duplicate the present hospital build
ing. he explained, since in the present
building would remain the heating
plant. laundry. Kitchens operating
rooms. Offices interncs quarters and
all other departments having to do
with the Administered ion OF The build,
ing. The building is not yet nine
Years old. and he believed could b..
taken over without the driving or Il
nail AS to the annex, he said il
should be similar TO the pr .sent cast
crn wing of iiya Memorial which 1t
would adjoin-siinply a succession OF
large wards. one after another. Of fire.
PROOF construction. and containing as
many Iloors as were desired, possibly
with contagious wards on the top floor
With provision fcr a public dispcnsary
In the basement and ambulance quar-.
tors in The rear. II would not cc noe
easary to duplicate any OF the cxrcn-
sivc administration iiItings or upcrat.
ing room outfit.
The discussion by the committee was
Informal and general. and with Il desire
to get all The light possible ii VAS dr-
cided to accept the oflcr OF pr. john
ston that he would sccurl, withou, cost
to tho city, preliminary sketches ~
such an annex building rs he would
propose After these have been ap-
proved by the Building Inspector thrc,
builders Will be asked In submit csti-
mates OF the cost. ana competent real
estate men Will be asked to appraisc
tn. value cf the adjoining property,
which is in litigation and can only be
acquired by condemnation. 1t was
agreed that with this definite inforina-
ton in hand, the committee will be in
a better position to formulate an intcl-
ligcnt report.