Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1913-07-31
OF
HOSPITAL STEWARD
BY STATE BOARD OF CONTROL.
BIDS OPENED FOR NEW
WARD BUILDING.
All Bids Exceed Appropriation-No
Action Taken.

4
Action Taken.
The state board of control in
charge: of the penal and charitable
Institutions, met in Jamestown We'd
nebday and took up several matters
in connection with the state hospital
for the insane, among them the ap-
ppintment of steward for the insti-
tuition to succeed M. D. Williams,
who has held that position since
April, 1907. The board appointed
Malcolm Sinclair of jamestown as
steward, the action of the board be-
Ing unanimous.
In this connection it can be
stated that number of ru-
mors regarding the propriety
OF the appointment, which were in
circulation, were thoroughly inves-
tfgated by all the members of the
board, and the rumors were found to
be without any foundation in fact.
Mr.. Sinclair, with his past experience
Is believed by the board to be in po-
,sition to perform the duties in most
Eef1cient and satisfactory manner.
EThis selection, it is understood, is
fsalso with the approval of Supt.
lHotchkiss.
ST The board further stated that the
tconduct of the stewards Office by
Mr.. Williams during the time that
the new board has had charge of the
iinstitution, about five months, has
been entirely satisfactory to them,
and that they commend his careful
and capable discharge of the duties
of the position.
The purchasing of supplies for the
institution is now done by contract,
tlaxsely through wholesale firms. the
former plan of buying from local
dealers having been abandoned. |.
Wholesale prices by competitive bids
are now secured for all the institu-
tions of the state in charge of the
board. 1t is claimed that by this
means the people of the entire state
are benefited in a saving over the
cost of goods purchased under the
old system, and that higher grade
of goods can be secured for the same
or less money; that many wholesale
firms are anxious to sell state insti-
tutions supplies at less cost than re-
tailers can buy them, on account OF
there being no expense in the sale
except the submitting of samples;
that the business is done through
| correspondence, without the expense
of travelling statesmen, and that there
is no risk of loss in dealing with the
state. Most of the state institutions
throughout the country, it is said,
| now purchase their supplies in this
manner.
Bids for New Building Opened.
The board considered the plans
and bids for the new ward building.
There were five bids received, the
lowest from a Valley City contract
| or. The legislature appropriated
100000 for the new building, but
it is found that this sum will not be
sufficient to erect and complete the
building necessary at this time for
the increase of patients. The lowest
bid received was some $4,000 more
than the appropriation and the high
est about 100000 more. The board
took no action on any Of the bids
and are endeavoring to solve the
problem. The plans are complete In
every detail and the contractors know
exactly what Architect Crabbe and
the board desire and expect to get IN
the matter OF buildings. In order to
keep the cost Of the new building
within the appropriation and still
provide the necessary room for the
large increase of patients, a number
of alterations and changes will have
to be made in the plans, which Will
be of great disadvantage, and would
cheaper the building materially,
which, in the opinion Of the board,
is not believed to be good policy
for the state. If the emergency
board Of the state will consent to
the use Of the additional money re-
quired for this new building, the
construction Of the same can be had
according to the present necessities,
and a. outlined In the very COM
plete set 81 plans submitted by the
architect The matter will be tax
en- up with the governor and the
emergency board ut once, to see Il