The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-16
lit IS ABOLISHED
Topeka tuberculosis Camp to
Be Thing of Past.
Its Supporters Give Up After
Long, Hard Fight.
CITY WOULD NOT SUPPORT IT
Fight on It's Location i'm North
Topeka.
No Other Place Could Get
County Will Take Up Burden.

Topekas tuberculosis camp, that fine
and efficient charity, which was estab-
lished some three years ago just north
of Garfield park, chiefly through the
efforts of Mrs. Charles B. Thomas, be-
comes thing of the past after July 1.
Lack of support on the part of the
people of Topeka may be set down
as the chief reason.
These facts and many other inter-
esting ones kindred to them came to
light today when Mrs. Thomas, Mr..
H. L. Hall, who has been prominently
identified with the Topeka tuberculosis
society, and Mr.. E. L. O'Neil, acting
as their spokesman, appeared before
the board of county commissioners and
permanent adjustment of the camp
and the care of the patients now
in it.
The life of this camp has been hang
ing in the balance for several months.
People living near it have been out
spoken in their complaint against hav-
ing an institution of this sort in their
midst. They feared infection. And
wherever if was suggested that the
camp be located similar objections were
raised. The city offered a site for the
camp out near the pest house, but it
was explained to the county commits
sioners this morning that this site was
~
the camp.
To purchase a new and desirable
camp far enough away from habitable
sections in and about the city would
cost about $4,000. And Mr.. Hall ex-
planned that it seemed out of the ques-
ton to raise any sum among Topekans
for this purpose. Neither die it seem
possible, so Mrs. Thomas once said,
during the course of the hearing, that
the money needed to maintain this
camp properly would be forthcoming
from the people of the city.
Naturally, there was but one alter
nate. The camp had to be abolished
after a rather struggling career dur
ing which, there can be no doubt but
it has alleviated much suffering among
many of the tubercular victims OF
this community.
To Devise Ways and Means.
However, an institution of this kind
cannot be wiped out of existence by
merely saying the word. And it was
to devise tn ways and means of doing
so that Mrs. Thomas, Mr.. Hall and Mr..
O'Neil visited the county commits
sioners today and discussed the mat
ter.
Of the seven patients now at the
camp, two of them are county charges.
1t was suggested to the county COM
that when the time came to
abolish the camp, which has to be done
given notice that it must be vacated by
July, and as has been explained, the
society has no prospects
of establishing a camp in any other
locality, that the county patients be
transferred to the poor farm. There it
was urged, that special tuberculosis
camp might be established for them.
An offer was made to give to the
county any of the equipment now at
the camp that might be needed for this
purpose.
Then the statement was made that
the only plan in view for caring for the
other patients, not county charges. was
to place them in the homes of friends
or relatives and have them looked af-
ter by the nurse now employed at the
camp by the Tuberculosis society.
There seemed to be doubt in the
minds of the county commissioners as
to the feasibility of caring for any
patients at the poor farm.
They were positive that such patients
could not be cared for by the present
attaches of this farm. And DR.. Hens
ley, the county physician, who was
at the conference, said that
this would be out of the question and
that if any tubercular patients were
taken to the poor farm they must be
and have special attention.
Up to the County.
There was considerable discussion |
pack and forth among the county |
anu TIE Representative
If the tuberculosis society as to what !
would be the best thing to do. And |
he upshot of the matter was an an |
louncement from the commissioners
hat when the tuberculosis camp was |
polished. the county would care for |
is charges in some fashion.
For a couple of years now, and I'M
Ter authority from an act of the leg |
stature, the county has been appro-
1riating $3.50 a month to assist in the
of the tuberculosis camp. And !
Mr.. O'Neil pointed out that as this
appropriation came from special tax
or this purpose, 1t could not very
we'll be used by county commission
IFS for any other purpose. Some of
t. he thought, might we'll be used J
~ the commissioners to pay for the
are of the county patients at the
camp, If they are trans
erred to the poor farm, or wherever
hey may be taken. The balance, he
aid properly belonged to the Tuber-
ulosis society and it was their inten
ion to use it in caring for the camp
when they are removed to
ZONES.
No final action was taken by the