The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-01-28
Skagway Makes Strong profesi 10 Removal Of
 Sanatoriur1 10 Siika

Ing the llSJallatlOll put dlSO llAllAB new temporary quarters.
 We also feel that in this case such as this, the human element should be considered along with supposed saving of S35,000. Moving patients, majority of whom have been bedridden year and a half in dead winter via boat, in our opinion, is definitely inadvisable and unwarranted.
 We have been advised by the ANS officials that the Alaska Coas- tai Airlines would move these pa- tients by plane at very reasonable cost in three days time but this could not be done due to weather conditions at this time of the year.
 Upon receiving notice of immin- ent removal of the Skagway sana- torium we called the ANS officials in Juneau in an endeavor to have them reconsider such a major move and asked them to come to Skag- way to investigate conditions, SUD- posedly existing, that would justify this move at this time of the year
 We were advised that an engineer and a doctor would be sent to Skagway to look into the situation and would arrive with open minds regarding the move.
 At a meeting held in the sana- torium with representatives it was soon discovered that open minded ness consisted of two alternatives. The city of Skagway could under write the sanatorium's staying until summer or endeavor to get the Leg islature to appropriate the neces- sary money. Meanwhile most of the medical supplies and equipment are either on the dock or in process of being crated. It was quite obvious the plans for removal had heen underway over month as q good deal of the equipment for essential operation has already gone to Sitka.
 When questioned why necessary repairs to keep the building and heating plant funetioning properly had not been done we were told that files were full of orders for necessary items that either the Chi cago office or Bureau of Budget would or did not allow
 Upon further questioning, it was admitted that if the same lack of support were given the Sitka in- stallation conditions would be the same as they claim now exists in the SkagWay sanatorium.
 We realized after the move was announced ours was lost cause so far as trying to keep the sana- torium here was concerned. But we feel we are justified in protest ing the seriousness of. moving these patients in dead of winter, the secrecy with which it was engineer ed and the obvious waste of money involved. The welfare of the pa tlentS should be of primary im- portance but one of the points stressed in the officials article was recreational facilities were available in Sitka. Tuberculosis patients have no use for bowling alleys etc. We grant they help the morale Of the personnel.
 "Skagway has provided such re- creational facilities. Lodges have. opened their bowling alleys to the hospital personnel. The school gym nasium has been opened for their use for basketball and badninton. Movies are available every evening.
 Since the climate is also men, tioned, as a community we would be remiss in not boosting the driest climate in Southeast Alaska. con- sequently more sunny days. We have always been under the im- pression such weather was desirable if not entirely necessary in treat ment of tuberculosis. Certainly the patients morale should be better in bright weather than cloudy
 Regarding transportation situa- tion we doubt any steamship com- pany will take patients whom they know are tubercular.
 "In support of this statement. the ANS plans to provide bedding and dishes for use of patients en- route to Sitka
 "As to local transportation dif- ficulty bus service was operating by local taxi company making five trips daily at 50 cents a trip. For some time local businessmen
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