buckets are provided. The provision of liquid chemical fire extinguishers is recommended to complete the fire protection. Essex County Almshouse, Whallonsburg, N. Y. Capacity, 80. Estimated value, $40,000. This is a country almshouse, healthfully located in the Adirondack region. The buildings are of brick, two stories high, steam heated, electric lighted, and supplied with power laundry machinery and modern plumbing. The plumbing in the men's building needs overhauling, being worn out and inadequate. There is not suitable provision for the care of the sick, and patients are sometimes removed from the almshouse to distant hospitals. Fortunately, the climate is so favorable to health and longevity that sickness, other than the decrepitude of old age, is uncommon. Great difficulty has been experienced in securing efficient employees at this almshouse. The higher wages paid at the neighboring summer resorts attract the almshouse employees during the summer season and the superintendent is unable to replace them when they leave. The cleanliness of the men's dormitory has suffered very much from this cause during the past summer. Fire pails and liquid fire extinguishers are needed to improve the fire fighting equipment. Franklin County Almshouse, Malone, N. Y. Capacity, 70. Estimated value, $30,000. The Franklin County Almshouse is built of brick, with three stories in the center and two in the wings. There are service rooms in the basement, and the attics contain water tanks. It is a high building, and is particularly in need of good iron stair fire escapes. The patent fire escapes provided are of doubtful value, for they are flimsy and combustible. The water supply is defective in quantity, there being no storage facilities except the attic tanks. The plumbing is worn out and should be replaced. The greatest need of the almshouse is hospital accommodations. There is now no means of segregating the sick, nor is a nurse employed for their care. Neglect to provide suitable care for the aged and sick wards of the county is inhumane, and it is hoped that the present administration, which has done so much to overcome defects, will secure an ample appropriation from the county to make possible the proper care of sick and infirm inmates. Fulton County Almshouse, Gloversville, N. Y. Capacity, 80. Estimated value, $40,000. The grounds surrounding this modern almshouse are attractive. The shrubbery is choice and the lawns carefully kept. The sitting-room windows overlook the lawns, so that the inmates derive benefit from their beautiful surroundings. The buildings are kept in first class repair, and are well furnished. There are steam heat, electric light, a power laundry, adequate fire escapes and fire protection, and an efficient sewage disposal plant. The only serious defect in the plant is the lack of a county hospital for the proper care of sick and infirm inmates. Montgomery County Almshouse, Sprakers, N. Y. Capacity, 72. Estimated value, $35,000. The dormitory cottages are frame buildings, but the administration building is of brick. The inmates have well lighted sitting and bed rooms. The care of sick men at this almshouse has not been satisfactory. No nurse is employed and there is no hospital but the sick men sleep in open dormitories together with well men. Tuberculosis cases are not isolated. The supervisors of this county have been very slow in making improvements. The almshouse is lighted by kerosene lamps, although there is water power enough on the place to generate electricity. Fire escapes are needed. The interior painting of the almshouse has been neglected, until the walls are unsightly. The live stock at the almshouse has been very poorly housed, but a new barn is in process of construction. St. Lawrence County Almshouse, Canton, N. Y. Capacity, 125. Estimated value, $74,000. Since new windows were placed in this almshouse the exterior appearance is improved, but the interior is very much run down. Nothing short of complete overhauling will place the building in sanitary condition. The floors are bad, the walls falling, the plumbing worn out, and the stair cases defective. Liquid chemical fire extinguishers are needed. The hospital rooms are on the third floor of the building, and no nurse is employed. If the sick are transferred to the hospital they are likely to be neglected, for the officers have duties which require them to remain in other parts of the building. If the sick are kept down stairs, for convenience, they occupy the same dormitories with inmates who are not ill. Aside from the defective care of the sick, the inmates in this almshouse are well provided for and kindly treated. Saratoga County Almshouse, Ballston, N. Y. Capacity, 130. Estimated value, $75,000. The Saratoga County Almshouse is a two story brick building with two rear extensions. The county hospital is a double two story building, with women's wards on the right and men's wards on the left. The hospital has a fine south porch, glass enclosed and heated. The whole equipment of this almshouse is good and the housekeeping excellent. It furnishes a happy and suitable home for the sick and aged poor of Saratoga county. Schenectady County Almshouse, Schenectady, N. Y. Capacity, 160. Estimated value, $160,000. The location of this almshouse in the heart of the city of Schenectady, with only five acres of land for premises, renders the problem of its management quite different from that of any other almshouse in the Fourth Judicial Dstrict. Among the inmates of this almshouse are those who have met with industrial accidents, lost their health by exposure, or been thrown out of work by shifting industrial conditions. They are younger than the average almshouse inmate, and if possible, should become selfsupporting again. It is unfortunate that the almshouse offers them so little work to do, for the easy life at the almshouse tends to weaken their desire to earn their own living. Saloons in the neighborhood are a serious temptation to the men, and it is only by severe discipline that they are prevented from bringing liquors on the grounds, or returning to them in an intoxicated condition. The new management is studying the problem presented in this city almshouse, but has not yet solved it. Warren County Almshouse, Warrensburgh, N. Y. Capacity, 100. Estimated value, $18,000. The oldest almshouse building in the district is located at Warrensburg, on the bank of the Schroon river. The original stone building has been added to from time to time, and outhouses have sprung up here and there, until there has resulted about the motliest group of buildings in the State. The Warren County Almshouse is inconvenient, inadequate in size, and the basements are insanitary. The State Board of Charities recommends that the county erect a new institution, of fire resisting construction, which will provide adequately for the separation of the sexes, the care of the sick, power laundering, and modern means of cooking. The present building is a fire trap not even provided with fire escapes. Washington County Almshouse, Argyle, N. Y. Capacity, 150. Estimated value, $40,000. The Washington County Almshouse is composed of five two story brick cottages, in good repair. The water supply has been defective during the summer, and part of the drainage system is inadequate. Laundering is done by hand, but a power laundry should be installed. This year the men's hospital was metal ceiled and neatly painted, a great improvement. This hospital occupies the first floor only, the second floor and attic being unused and dilapidated. No building on the county premises should be allowed to run down as this one has. Since the hen house burned a few years ago it has not been replaced, and the hens have no proper quarters. Aside from this the farm buildings are adequate and creditable to the county. The almshouse should be screened in summer. For lack of screens, the blinds on the dormitories are kept tightly closed, to the too great exclusion of fresh air and sunlight. In winter the blinds are closed to keep out the cold. The general housekeeping is good, and the clothing and bedding are ample. |