Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-13

Delay Public
Construction
at SNnnyside
Mismanagement Alleged in
Erection of Buildings for
cx-SOEdiers.

Mismanagement in the construction of
Public buildings is responsible for the
delay of the completion of the two port
able houses which have been under con-
struction for weeks at Sunnyside a1d
which were ordered erected by the Ma
riOn County commissioners to care for
tubercular ex-serVice men Of the World
War.
Investigation shows that the commits
toner's on Aug. 20 last, awarded con-
tract to J. Frank Cantwell, who erected
many of the portables for the board of
school commissioners for two portable
buildings on a total bid of 1882. The
commissioners expected TO have both
buildings ready for occupancy within
thirty to forty days.
President Carhn Shank Of the commits
sioners and Times representative visit
ed Sunnyside Yesterday afternoon to see
what was causing the delay.
The following conditions were OBJ
served: The roof on only one building
has been put on and work is just start
ing on the roof Of the other building.
Only the floor in one building has been
placed.
The carpenter employed by the com
mlssioners to nave charge Of the work has
not received plans as yet for the two
portable bathroom connections for either
house.
Work has not been started on excavat-
ing for either the bathroom and layatories
nor the enclosed porches.
Work has not been completed In placing
the steam pipes running from the main
buildings at Sunnyside to the portable
structures.
The county commissioners have delayed
awarding n contract for the plumbing,
and up TO late yesterday the specifca-
tions for the plumbing had not been re-
ceived. IL is evident that unless the
plumbing contract is Immediately adver-
tised and awarded, more delay viii be
caused before the soldiers can be taken
care Of at sunnyside.
only two carpenters were working OF
the building yesterday afternoon. 1t wa'
announced that prisoners from the Ma
/ rion County Jail have been helping, but
as yesterday was visiting day at The
Jail. none Of the prisoners was present.
Mr.. Shank admitted that additiona
carpenters should be put to work anC
I that advertisements should be made a
once for the plumbing. He an nouncet
that extra carpenters will be put on thu
job at once.
According to Mr.. Shank. Or. II. s
I HatCh, SupeFlhteHueHb EA sunni slhFs ma
! suggested that the tnbercular childrel
now at Sunnyside be placed in one o
the portable buildings and that the room
occupied by the children in the institut
/ tiOn proper be given to the soldiers.
! "Dr. Hatch tells the commissioners tha
/ such transfer would be beneficial be
/ cause the children would feel more FREE
! and adult patients in the main building
would not be disturbed by poise mad
/ by the children. The doctor assures =,
| that as many ex-service men will b.
taken care of In the main building as 1
| they were occupying both Of the portable
/ houses" Mr.. Shank said.
| The original idea was TO use boil
| buildings for ex-service men, but tn
commissioners feel that DR.. Hatch is il
/ position TO know what Is best to do II
/ alloting space.
! 1t Is evident the two carpenters on tn
/ Job are doing all they personally can t
rush the work, but the failure Of th'
| county commissioners to put large
/ force at work is he cause Of the della.
/ in addition to failure to advertise .oI
bids for the plumbing.
! Mr.. Shank explains the commissioner
have attempted to reduce the costs a
much as possible. When the building
( are completed they will be practical!
permanent structures,