The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-10
STATE IS IN NEED
Additional Epileptic Hospital
Planned Soon.
Appropriation of 100000 to
Cover Building Cost.
ALL CAPACITY is TAXED
Institution at Winfield Is Now
OvercrOwded.
Senator Howe and Governor
Hodges Have Plan.

Establishment of a new hospital for
epilepticS to take over at least a por-
ton of the work now handled at the
Winfield institution is being planned
by the Democratic state administra-
ton. That such plan is under seri-
Gus consideration was admitted today
when Governor Hodges and members
of the board of control returned from
Winfield, where they spent a day view
ing the site and discussing plans for a
new adminiStra ton and hospital build
ing.
Nearly a year ago the Winfield hos
pital suffered from a serious fire and
since that time the institution has
been overcrowded. An appropriation
of $50, 900 was made by the 1913 legis-
lature for the rebuilding of the admin
istration and hospital buildings, but it
will be several months before these
buildings can be completed. In the
meantime there are several important
matters which state officials are con-
sidering and among them is the prop
osition of establishing a second hospi
tai for epileptics. The location of the
new institution is as yet a matter of
speculation, but it is quite certain that
a bill will be introduced in the 1915
legislative session asking for an appro-
priation of from $4,000 TO 500, 900 for
the new hospital.
Water Trouble at Winfield.
one OF the main CTOuOIeS at WI ID
a this time is the shortage of water.
The state maintains an independent
waterworks system but the water
supply has been a source of much trOu-
Bile. During the recent dry spell in
Kansas, it was necessary to haul much
of the water used at the Winfield hos
pital and this condition did not have a
tendency to encourage the future ex-
penditure of large sums of money for
the enlargement of the institution.
The mains of the Winfield water
system must now be extended a half
mile to the city limits in order that
they may be reached by the states
mains. At first the Winfield city Of
ficials hesitated about spending
money to carry a water supply to the
big state institution. But when they
learned that a new ep1eptfc hospital
was not only a possibility but a real
probability, they viewed the matter in
an entirely different light. Now, it
seems, the water mains will be extend
ed and the $4,000 in Improvements
made at once.
Institution Is Too Crowded.
Since the fire the Winfield hospital
has been overcrowded. Just at pres
ent there are about so more inmates
of the institution than would be cared
for under normal conditions and with
the present facilities. In addition to
this overcrowded condition, there are
nearly 125 applications for admission
to the hospital All of these appli-
cants have been placed on the wait
ing list.
Now, the Democratic state admins
tration plans to build a second hos
pital for cpileptics and to use both
institutions. AS result the Winfield
hospital will be maintained, but not
enlarged The present hospital Will
probably be used for male inmates
only, while a hospital for females
will be erected elsewhere in the state
Two institutions the size of the Win
field hospital, it is believed, will be
none too large for the care of the
cases which are brought to the atten-
ton of the state.
Howe Has a Plan.
Senator ]. W. Howe, secretary to
the board of control, visited the Win
field hospital with the governor and
members of the board He believes
that a new epileptic hospital is need
ed and thinks there will be no trouble
in securing ample appropriation at the
hands of the next legislature.
by using the Winfield institution
pitaI for the females" said Howe, the
work could be more easily and sue
cessfully handled and the additional
room which is now needed would be
afforded 1 think that an apprOp ria-
ton of about 1000 would build and
equip the necessary new buildings
That would be about the only extra
expense, except of course additional
buildings as the NUMBER Oh cases
would Increase. The Winfield hos
pital is now crowded to its fullest
capacity and the plan for separate
hospitals for the male and female in
mates. 1 believe, would meet with
favor throughout the state
None of the members of the board
were inclined to discuss the possible
location of the new hospital. But there
is a general opinion in the state house
today that an appropriation will be
asked for the institution