San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-11
CANNOT
PAY SHARE ON
HOSPITAL WORK
Building Sinking But Mu-
nicipality Has No
Money.
mo ONE AT FAULT"
Site Offered Problems
That Were Not
Met.
mo ONE AT FAULT"

juries that the condition of the Rob
ert 3. Green Memorial hospital, the
county city institution, is dangerous
and that repairs should be made i'm
mediately, it is doubtful il the recon-
mendation of the inQuisitorial bodies
can be carried out, due to the fact
that the city is without funds to pay
its share of the cost. This was dis
closed Saturday when County Com
missioner ]. S. Mcneil stated that
the county can raise the funds to
pay its part of the cost and that a
letter will be written to the mayor
appraising him of this fact. The cost
of the repairs, it is estimated, will be
approximately $4,000.
With the city already facing an
overdraft of 100000 it is deemed
highly improbable that it could rails.
any money for the repair of the hos
pital, at least during the present fiscal
year. As result, it is not likely
that the work can be undertaken be-
fore next June.
The last grand jury, in its report,
stated that the structure is in a
dangerous condition and unless
prompt measures are taken to prevent
further deterioration, may become
menace to the occupants and result
in great loss.
Says mo One at Fault"
"The present condition of the
building the report continues, "is
directly attributable to inherent de-
fects in construction. The founda-
ton is faulty and of insufficient
strength to support the superstruc-
ture. Numerous cracks and Tissues
have developed throughout the build
ing. Partitions have become detach-
ed from the floors upon which they
rest. Door and window frames are
out of alignment, and a few of the
door frames are loosened entirely from
their mornings. The walls are crack
ed in many places, exposing the
masonry to the weather. A substan-
tial foundation is an imperative neces-
sity if the property is to be saved
and general repairs are necessary
and advisable. Since conditions are
sure to grow worse we recommend
immediate attention"
County Engineer A. c. Pancoast,
who was superintendent of tconstruc-
ton on the hospital during a part
OF the construction, declared Satur-
day that no one really is to blame
for the condition of the building, but
that one mistake was made which
has caused all the trouble.
In the first place, he pointed out,
the site upon which the hospital was
erected was an unsuitable one, be-
cause it was impossible to get good
foundation except at an almost pro-
hibitive cost. The old rock building
which stood on the present site, he
said. cracked and it was necessary to
tie 1t together with steel rods Upon
investigation at the time, he said, he
found about three feet underneath the
surface, a bed of clay which was i'm
pervious to water. When this clay
is penetrated, however, and concrete
pillars are laid, water seeps through
and softens the earth around them,
allowing them to sag. If the founda.
ton is laid on top of this clay and
piling driven. he said, this difficulty
can be avoided.
Went Too Far For Foundation.
1t seems, however, that in building
the county-city hospital. the clay was
penetrated and the water has seeped
IN, causing the heavy concrete founda-
ton to sink. The trouble at present
seems to be on the outside pillars, the
ones IN the center of the building
seemingly have escaped the water.
ms has caused the outer pillars to
sink, thereby drawing the walls lower
than the center of the building. The
cracks have resulted.
The building, Mr., Pancoast said,
was properly erected. the concrete
and steel being of the best class DOS
sible, and it was put together in the
most up-to-date style. The only mis-.
take, he said, was in going through
the clay for the foundation.
Whether the trouble can be rene
died. seems to be a question. One
method which was tried ont at Fort
Sam Houston. Mr.. Pancoast said. has
not been entirely successful. This
was TO dig trench around the
buildings and fill it with rock and hol-
low tile, in an attempt to shut out
the water, making the building a sort
OIL island. In spite of this fact, how
ever, army engineers found that the
water still seeped in.
county Commissioner McNeel said
Saturday that the county is I'M
against difficult problem in at
tempting to solve the hospital repair
question. 1t will be necessary, he
said, to have expert engineers ex-
anime it and perhaps they can recon-
mend q solution.
Mr.. Mcneil does not think the
building is in dangerous condition.
as the steel reinforcements will hold
the walls together for many years to
come. He is in favor. however, of
making the necessary repairs as soon
as the city is able to defray its part