The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-16
SATURDAY, MAY 1s, 1881
Dirty Work At The Seashore

After reading the latest reports on the dls- only shake our head sadly and declare that instead of dirty work occurring at the cross roads this time it's at the seashore. The already famous resort for children suffering 3 from bone and glandular tuberculosis at Cres- cent Beach must pick up its belongings and move to new location. A bill to this ef- feet has just been favorably reported by the appropriation committee. Earlier in the week the judiciary committee attempted to palm off on the state a measure which would have allowed the state to purchase an additional l4O foot frontage for the sanatorium. but at the same time would forever prevent it securing any more than this
 To explain the diabolical nature of this measure the history of the entire case must be reviewed We will skip some of the facts for the more salient ones. In 1918 the state acquired the present site of the sanatorum, plus an old shore hotel. It transformed this into workable sanatorium. Unique advan- tages did the rest. An excellent quality of sand prevailed at the spot. The shore was protected from high tides and winds by bluff. In short the site proved all that Its advocates claimed it to be-the ideal spot for persons suffering from bone and glandular tuberculosis As this disease seemed to be confined chiefly to children the sanatorium was restricted to all under l4 years of age.
 fto which had been owned by that family since 1896. In 1922 the state tuberculosis com mission preached the matter of purchase of some shore frontage to the McCooks. The property was declared not for sale At the 1923 Legislature several bills were presented dealing with the expansion of Seaside by pur- chase of land from the MeCooks. An appro- priation was set up by the Legislature to buy the land In 1924 condemnation proceedings were brought. In 1925 the Legislature strengthened the 1923 law by authorizing these proceedings. It was voted to condemn 382 feet of shore frontage which was the minimum that the tuberculosis commission declared it needed to expand the sanatorium as it planned to do. The case dragged through many courts until the State Supreme Court declared the 1925 law unconstitutional because it had not been signed within the legal period.
 That action resulted in special session Of the 1929 Legislature at whichits was necessary to validate over l.500 laws which were found not signed within three days of reference to the governor. Since then lawyers for both sides have been endeavoring to effect com promise. It becomes quite evident though, that the McCooks have won the day. he bill created by the judiciary committee would have allowed the state to take l40 feet Of land. inadequate for proper sanatorlum de- velopment according to Dr Stephen Maher of New Haven. but would prevent any further acquisition and at the same time would re- peal the 1923 and 1925 condemnation laws.
 Now this bill is being dropped in favor of one that will place the sanatorium probably far from the MeCook estate in Mantle. Several sites have been mentioned. There will be plenty of money to buy the land and to erect sanatorium modern in every respect. But no site will possess the unique advantages" as does Seaside. Dr Maher is witness to this statement This is almost as fragrant an in- stance as is now occurring in Fairfield county where the only state park will probbaly be abandoned because of the objections of nearby property owners. We have never seen re- publican Legislature lay itself open to such criticism as the present one is doing. It can't be laid at democratic doors. for Governor Cross is not even being considered in these Maehia- vellian schemes. What fine spectacle - the state abandons chidrens sanatorium for political reasons!