Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-11
ACT|0N0F CHAMBER
.DEpLOREDBY EDISON
President of Board of Chari-
ties Says Organization Is
Misinformed.
NO INEBRIATE HOSPITAL
FOR 14TH STREET, SITE
Committee to Ask That Proposed To-
cation Be Changed Likely
to Get Hearing.

L
| to Get Hearing.
| Expressing the belief that the Cham.
Der of Commerce acted under q mis-
understanding when 1t voiced a protest
last night against the establishment of
an inebriate hospital and almshouse on
ground owned by the District at 14th
and Upshur streets northwest, John
Joy Edison, president Of the board of
charities, today declared it is unfortu-
| nate that, in view of the long effort
made to provide a municipal hospital
on this site. the proposed Improvement
should be made the subject of threat
ened controversy at this late date He
said:
THE action of the Chamber of Com
merce last night in protesting against
| the establishment of the new municipal
| hospital on the 18th and Upshur street
site. provided for by Congress and Sc
| ted by the Commissioners about ten
years ago. is, feel, greatly to be re-
GREETED.
Calls Action Disappointing.
| Il feel that had all the facts been
known the chamber would not have
| taken this action. 1t is disapp ointing
because of the efforts that have been
made for so many years by the Com
missioners, Board Of Charities and other
organizations for the establishing Of a
municipal, hospital that would provide
proper care of suffering humanity that
has no other place to which to go for
treatment.
THE chamber was misin rmed as to
the character of the proposed institu-
ton. since it appears there was an un-
Outstanding that it was tosbe an inebri-
ate hospital and almshouse. The aims
house has already been provided for.
and is known as the Home for the
Aged and .1nfirm, at Blue Plains.
It contains 270 acres of land. was pur-
chased about ten years ago and has
been equipped with necessary and up
to-date buildings
THE inebriate hospital has not yet
beer been authorized and no plans have
should be located out of the city and
somewhere in the country.
"All cities of our own size have
municipal hospitals and properly so. AS
the 14th and Upshur street site con-
tains such an unusually large number
Of acres. about .thirty-4iye In all. II will
De possible to group the buildings aud
grounds in sueh. as+Eay as.te give tho
pearance.: L am certain there viii Ae
no detraction or injury to that .sectiun
OF the city. In g. not very distant future
this site will be the center of the oity- .
Praise for Senator Gallinger.
Mr.. Edison said: =.
I'VE all appreciate the great services
Senator Gallinger has rendered the
National Capital in his long. faithful.
intelligent and just term upon the
District Of Columbia committee of the
Senate. As Senator GallinAer has been
a physician. the sentiment underlying
the naming of the hospital for him Is
all the more appropriate"
Mr.. Edison pointed out that protest was
| made against the locating of the John
Dickson Home. the workhouse and the
Home for the Aged and Infirrn on their
respective sites. but that these institu-
tons have Increased property values in
their rlefghborhoods and are now looked
upon as an advantage.
while it Is to be regretted" he said.
that our fellow citizens should have
taken the action which is the source Of
disappointment to those of US who have
endeavored SO long to have Congress pro-
vide for municipal hospital, look upon
1t as an error growing out Of ENTHUSIASM
| to do the right thing"
Gallinger to Request Hearing.
The committee Of the Chamber Of Com
| merce appointed last night to endeayor
to have Congress change the proposed
location OF the new municipal hospital
from 14th and Upshur streets northwest
to another just as convenient and more
suitable. was today assured by Senator
| Gallinger that he would re quest the
holding Of a hearing before a proper COM
mittee OF the Senate in order that views
| of the chamber might be considered.
President Guide last night appointed ex-
Senator Marion Butler, H., H. Classic,
John Dolph. Albert sehultels and W. N.
Cromwell as committee OF five to ap-
pear before the Senate subcommittee on
| District appropriations and explain that,
while the chamber thoroughly approved
Of the establishment OF the institution 80
long needed by the District, it thought
that the location designated was not a
| good one.
Senator Gallinger explained that the
bill would come before the Senate today
for action and that it was too late for
hearing. more especially as the COM
mittee. appointed only last night, had
had no opportunity to go thoroughly into
the consideration of sites. However he
said, the measure would next go to the
conference committee and he would re-
quest an opportunity for hearing be-
fore the latter finally disposed Of 1t.
I Only Opposed to Location.
| The committee made 1t plain to Sena-
tor Gallinger that 1t bore in no sense
| the disapprobation by the Chamber OF
Commerce of the -nject itself-in fact
that the chamber felt most grateful to
the friends Of the District in Congress
who had made 1t possible. It stated
however. that 1t felt that other loca-
tons. not yet built up to an extent
that owners of adjacent property would
suffer from the proximity Of such ar
institution. could be found that were
Just as suitable and just as convenien,
in sections Of a less residential char.
acter.
Senator Gallinger assured the commit
tee tiIat the lawmakers would probably
be glad to get all the views possibl,
on the matter before acting finally TIL,
J committee. therefore, is to take up a
once thorough investigation of posi-
BILE locations for the new buildings in or
der to use its efforts at the coming hear
ing for. the greatest good of the great
est number"