Ms 83, 1906

Interview/Regarding the Washington Sanitarium

St. Helena, California

June 12, 1906

Previously unpublished.

Interview Between Mrs. E. G. White and Elder George A. Irwin, Regarding the Washington, D.C., Sanitarium 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 1

G. A. Irwin: I should like to ask you, Sister White, whether you think it would be too much for us to spend on our Washington Sanitarium at Takoma Park, say fifty-five thousand dollars? Would that be extravagant? 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 2

E. G. White: No, no, no! This sanitarium is in a very important place. I know of no place more important. You ought to have help from those who are living in your part of the field. And then there is the cost of furnishing the institution, too. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 3

G. A. Irwin: I expect the cost will run upwards of fifty or fifty-five thousand dollars, on account of the high prices of building material. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 4

E. G. White: The Washington Sanitarium ought to have been in running order before this time. The buildings should be roomy. Some have thought that it would be best not to have one large building, but, instead, to have several smaller buildings. Others have thought that it would be more difficult to manage a “cottage” sanitarium at the beginning. I do not know. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 5

G. A. Irwin: The plan on which we are working now contemplates the erection of one large building. We have tried to plan the building in such a way as to economize room and to give just as much space as possible for the money expended. Later on, we can build cottages. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 6

E. G. White: Yes, you can do that. It might be well for you, instead of building cottages now, to put what you have into one main building, and reserve the choicest sites for cottages to be erected afterward. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 7

G. A. Irwin: It is going to be a lovely place there. I can see just how it is going to be when the buildings have been put up. The structure we are now planning on is to be one hundred and sixteen feet long, and it will front the Sligo. From the veranda one will be able to look up and down the Sligo. There is to be a wing on either side, looking toward the school. The building is to be so constructed that it will front every way. It will look well on all sides. However, the main front will overlook the Sligo. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 8

E. G. White: Is there ample room, so the school interests will not interfere with the carrying on of the sanitarium? 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 9

G. A. Irwin: Oh, yes! An abundance of room. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 10

E. G. White: Would it be your mind to continue to employ Brother Baird on this job right along, so long as he does well? 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 11

G. A. Irwin: Yes, I understand so. Would it be your mind to give up the building downtown at the end of the lease? 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 12

E. G. White: I would do it. If you can do it, then give it up. If it is going to be a bill of expense, it would be better to save all that could be saved, in order to push forward to completion the country sanitarium at Takoma Park. 21LtMs, Ms 83, 1906, par. 13