Sanitarium Interests at Washington
By Arthur G. Daniells
THE same instruction which indicated so clearly that the headquarters of our denominational work should be established near Washington declared that a sanitarium should be opened here, with land for cultivation, and amid rural surroundings. The providence of God has opened the way for this counsel to be followed. What will hereafter be known as the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium will be located on a tract of land containing forty-seven and two-thirds acres on the eastern side of the town of Takoma Park, a suburb of Washington. The avenue running along the eastern side of our ground marks the town limits in that part. The situation is such that, although we are within the limits of the town, we are entirely cut off from buildings, and are surrounded with forests. Takoma Park lies almost due north of the city, between five and six miles from the Capitol building. It is connected with Washington by both steam and electric railways. What is known as the “District Line” runs through Takoma Park, so that as a residence town it lies in both the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland. The corporation, or municipality, is in Maryland. The post-office is in the District, and is known as Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. Takoma Park has a population of from fifteen hundred to two thousand. It is a residence suburb of the city. Its elevation above the Potomac River near the city ranges between three hundred and four hundred feet. The town is in a forest. The pines, oaks, chestnuts, and other trees have been preserved as far as building operations will permit. The elevation and forest combined give a temperature from ten to fifteen degrees cooler than Washington proper. The town obtains its water-supply from Sligo Creek, which flows through the entire length of our tract of land. The analysis given by the government pronounces this water as nearly pure as can be found. It comes from springs, and is cold, clear, and soft. The dam of the pumping station is within a few feet of our north line. As the stream is kept pure above this plant, it comes to our ground free from any contamination. In order to supply our institutions with this water, the town council has agreed to extend one of its present water pipes to and along the southern boundary of our land, which will bring it within easy reach of the proposed buildings. This will give us all the benefits of the town water system, including the proper number of fire hydrants. The problem of providing suitable sewer facilities has been a serious one, as the sewer system had not been extended to that part of the town. Takoma Park has two sewer outlets. One of these is located one thousand feet from our western boundary line, fifteen hundred feet from our stream of water, and two thousand feet, or more than one third of a mile, from the nearest point where any of our buildings would be erected. It is a small sewer plant, and if kept reasonably clean, it is exceedingly doubtful whether its presence would ever be detected from our location. But at best, even a drain-pipe has its dangers. While this small sewer plant might not do our enterprises actual harm, yet any one opposed to our work could easily arouse a sentiment concerning it which would make us trouble. For the purpose of providing our place with a suitable sewer, we have arranged with the town for the extension of its sewer system, and the removal of this sewer outlet. The pipe will be extended from its present outlet down to the western side of our land, thence passing near our building sites, it will be continued to its new outlet three quarters of a mile below our nearest building, with a heavy forest between it and our property. There the town will install the most modern sewer plant known. The system will be as perfect as has yet been developed. This change will be a great benefit to our enterprise. First, and most important of all, it will give our sanitarium and school buildings perfect sewer advantages. The fall from our buildings to the sewer main which will extend twelve hundred feet through our ground, is about seventy-five feet. And the new sewer plant will be about two hundred feet below the lowest level of our land. The advantage of draining alone in this change will be of great value to our work. In addition, it removes whatever danger there is, and all the unpleasant sentiment connected with the present outlet. The town council and the Sanitarium trustees have agreed upon all the details connected with this change, and the mayor is authorized to execute the papers. The sanitarium and school are to pay the sum of $1,200 without further assessment for the sewer. In consideration of this sum, the town removes the sewer outlet, as stated above, lays the sewer main along twelve hundred feet of our land, furnishes the sanitarium with three hundred thousand gallons of water a month, free, for a period of five years, and supplies the school at a cost of seven cents a thousand gallons (the mere cost of pumping), for a period of five years. Thus we are able to tell all our people that, although the location of the sewer outlet seemed unfortunate at first, the problem has been worked out to our very great advantage and entire satisfaction. Had the sewer been located where it is now to be placed, without passing through our land, it would have cost us a very considerable sum to have reached it. In making this statement it is due the mayor and council, and the citizens of Takoma Park as well, that we recognize their deep interest in this matter, and their earnest efforts to effect the change. Difficulties of a perplexing character have presented themselves, but the council has surmounted them all. It will cost the town from eight to ten thousand dollars. Of course it benefits the town as well as ourselves. To show how the council were supported in the move, as well as in their entire administration, it will only be necessary to relate that while these sewer negotiations were pending, the town election was held, and all of the council except one were re-elected. The mayor did not have one opposing vote. One rather remarkable fact regarding this Council is that not one of its members uses either liquor or tobacco. These gentlemen appreciate our decision to locate in their town, and are doing everything they can to aid us. In the last council meeting final arrangements were made for expending $16,500 in laying new cement sidewalks in the town. This work has already begun. With all candor, we can say to our people7that no mistake has been made in selecting Takoma Park for our buildings. The providence of God brought us here, and that same providence has been with us in a signal manner since coming here. The outlook is cheering, and our courage is good.