Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== NEWSPAPER: Schenectady Gazette - Saturday Morning, Aug 9, 1930 =========================================================================== Cornerstone Of New State Building Laid __________________ Roosevelt Presides at Cere- mony for New Dormi- tory at Letchworth Village _________________ THIELLS, Aug 8 Special). - Gov- ernor Franklin D. Roosevelt today laid the cornerstone of a new dor- mitory building at Letchworth Vil- lage, the largest state institution for mental defectives. It will bring the capacity of the institution up to 2,800. "This institution," said Governor Roosevelt in his address, "is an out- standing example of the delays which result from the piece-meal construction of hospitals for the in- sane and schools for the feeble- minded. Letchworth Village is a unit of one of the largest single activities of the state - the care of its mentally disturbed and irrespon- sible. It was established by act of the legislature in 1907 when Charles Evans Hughes was governor and has not yet been completed in spite of the fact that there is imperative need of more accommodations for the feebleminded, and especially in the metropolitan district which this institution serves. It should be completed at an early date, either from the proceeds of a bond issue or from current appropriations. The serious lack of accommoda- tions for the uncared for feeble- minded of the state can be met most quickly and most econcomically by the early completion of Letch- worth Village. While additional ac- commodations are needed and will eventually be provided in other sec- tions of the state, no time should be lost in providing for the func- tioning of this institution at maxi- mum capacity to relieve the pres- sure for accommodations from New York city and vicinity. It was origi- nally designed for a total bed ca- pacity of 3,650, but still has only about 2,700 patients. All facilities and utilities have been provided to administer the main groups, hospi- tal and farm colonies which will form the completed institution. Part of the buildings for the adult male group and the infirm male group are still to be constructed. It is estimated that the cost of these buildings providing 750 more beds a**d the service connections and equipment will be about $2,000,- 000. If funds are not forthcoming from current taxation, some of the proceeds of a bond issue should be used for the purpose. The $50,000,- 000 bond issue for institutions in the mental hygiene and correctional departments of the state, which is to be voted on at the election this fall, would enable the state to catch up on pressing arrearages which have accumulated in the stat's in- stitutional problem in spite of pre- vious bond issues and current ap- propriations. As the population of the state has increased the number of wards for which the state must provide has increased at least pro- poritionately, if not more rapidly, and the funds granted for new in- stitutions have not been sufficient to provide for present and accumu- lated needs nor to provide for the future. Construction of institutions in larger units would not only pro- vide beds more promptly but would represent a substantial savings to the state in construction costs. "Letchworth Village has been built piece-meal over a long period of years, before, during and since the war. It has been a retail job and yet, in spite of this handicap, the total cost of the institution will be approximately $2,750 for each in- mate bed, based on the actual rather than the theoretical bed capacity. And the construction is of the most modern and substantial type. It is of a permanent nature and provides buildings which can be administered economically. Had the institution been built like the new state hospitals for the insane, at one time under a single group of contracts, the cost undoubtedly would have been much less. The total cost of the institution when completed will be about $10,000,000. "The institution is one of which the state may well be proud. It has not only given the state the most modern type of institution for the feebleminded, but has served as a model for other states. Many dis- tinguished citizens have contribut- ed their services to the project. Charles Evans Hughes when gov- ernor signed the bill creating it. William Rhinelander Stewart, for many years president of the state board of charities, was chairman of the commission which selected the site. Frank A. Vanderlip was the first president of the board of man- agers and continued in that capac- ity until 1921, when he was suc- ceeded by Judge Mortimer B. Pat- terson, who still presides over the board. Mrs. E. H. Harriman has served on the board from the be- ginning and has contributed gen- erously to the promotion of research at the institution. Dr. Charles S. Little has been superintendent of the institution since its inception, and Franklin B. Kirkbridge, who was a member of the commission which selected the site, has been secretary of the board of managers from the beginning. "Succissive governors and legis- latures have given the project con- sistent support, and none more so than Governor Alfred E. Smith, who considered care of the unfortu- nate wards of the state one of the most important functions of gov- ernmant." The board of visitors of the insti- tution now consists of Judge Morti- mer B. Patterson, Franklin B. Kirkbridge, Mars. Mary W. Harriman, Mrs. Mabel T. Filer, James H. Mor- rissey, Miss Mary E. Davidson and Victor J. Shankey. ===========================================================================