The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-27

fairs Were Conducted Refusing
to Pay the Tax-The Troubles Of Poor
Jack Ashore-Suggestion and Recon-
dations Of the Board Of Trustees
The Institution Eating Itself
Up-Close Of the Inquiry.
The subcommittee on Commerce and Navigation,
consisting OF Messrs. Judd, Bennett ana Gelb, held
an investigation yesterday. ut the ST. Nicholas
Hotel, into the abuses alleged to exist 10 connection
with the management Of the Seamen's Retreat
Staten Island. There was large attendance, and
the following facts were elicited:-
TESTIMONY OF DIX. KING.
DR.. Charles II. King was the first witness ex-
amined. He said that he had been physician
since 1854; was appointed to Seamen's Retreat by
board OF trustees In 1870; the Institution had not
been self.supporting; witness has noihing
to do with the financial AFFAIRS; thought
there had been mortgage executed on the
properly during the summer months OF last year;
did not know what the money was raised for; wit
ness had nothing to do with the matter; did not
know that the institution had been under tile neces-
sty OF taking boarders for Its maintenance; the
United States government has made arrangements
to have the sick sailors of other nattOnaes treated
there; about 234 were so treated; the government
paid for them; the institution can conveniently &C
commodate about $50; during last year the daily
average number admitted was nearly four
and fraction and without the gov
eminent patients $50 to 500 for the
year; the total number was LOLA; at present there
are 49, and about sixty Of the government patients;
the expenses now are $4,000 year; the consus OF
the different Powers send their sick as pay patients
there are from thirtyfve to forty acres belonging
to the Retreat; the average attendance daily is
eighty ninety; think thirty forty acres is too
large o portion OF land for hospital purposes;
think that ten acres would answer all the purposes
around the house, thirty acres could be sold with
out detriment: bill was presented In the Legisla-
ture to sell the surplus property and pay of the
indebtedness, and place the remainder in the Sea-
mems Savings Bank; think 1t would be
WISE MEASURE
TO dispose Of the property; there is valuable water
front, which ct present is nonproductive either to
the State or to the institution; It's value is estimated
at $4,000; II would probably rsei for more today
in q condition. TO make repairs; by opening one or
two streets the value OF the properly would be very
much enhanced; witness thought that 1t would De
well for the Legislature to appoint board OF ap-
praisement, and then commission to sen the prop.
been difficulty attending the collection OF the per
capita tax; the report or expenses covers the entire
expenses for the years the institution had not been
CRAhPED FOR MONEY
even before the loan on the properly was obtained,
salary Of witness is ST. soo the salaries for 1911 were
$6,796 81; DR.. King, superintendent Edgar ana Dr.
M
latiOns required that at least one OF the physicians
should always be on the premises and 4 was rgdy
with; ;s1 tne Health omcsr eonnecsea e.
was paid $50 month with board; his duties ocou.
pied nearly all his time; the chaplain receives $500
with the institution fifteen years as a missionary;
the mortgage on the institution was $4,000; there
State; the institution expedites the commerce Of the
city, and no provision can he made to supplement-
Hospital by contract al greater expense: witness
Thought that the institution was absolutely
Ssy ACRES 01 We're nos
purchased by an accumulation OF FUNDS subscribed
belong forever, and If the property were sold this
fund should revert to the seamen patients remain
IN the 1s on an average a0 o 1sS
patients VINO come there are entitled to do so those
who pay generally give s. DAY. including snil board
It is required they hand their money TO Witness
which Is returned to them when they leave.
TESTIMONY OF 7. M. CLARKE
Thomas M. Clarke testified that he kept ship
ping ONCE and was notary public; had been in the
Mary 5. Lent arrived here last winter and had TWO
men frostbitten; went with tne captain to the Office
No. IL Old Slip but the secretary said the men could
not 20 down, as the captain had not
PAID OLD SCORES;
the secretary looked over his book and stated that
tile schooner had not paid her hospital money for
two or three voyages; efforts were made BY
the English Consul who said that unless the
seamen were admitted he would Withdraw his
patronage; the secretary then said that N the
owners paid $50 head into the treasury they
the institution mad plenty OF property at staten
Island which could be sold. 80 that they did not
for e sns Hs
had business with the institution for years.
and mad no difficulty in connection with 1t until
last WINTER witness objected strongly to the present
method BY which the Retreat was conducted;
the second mate s,u OF the bark ~ Mary
admission, and with great din1cn!ty finally
succeeded In DONG so; witness stated That Perkins
be culpabie thought that the rejection Of sailors
who had paid their assessment was the only feature
agreed with the last witness as to the
SALE OF SURPLUS LAND;
several merchants had prejudices against the in.
stituton, because they thought the money was not
properly expended; the seamen's boarding house
keepers complained generally Of the great dlmculy
sailors sailing regularly out OF New YORK paid at
least $40 year. and thought IL was right 'hat tney
eA DOWN ON THEIR KNEES
TO gain admission to the hospital; tne schooner
sn So
not know OF any case where boarding house keep.
ers OBTAINED pa 81 miss nor
msmanage at the once at No. II Old slip, and
not at the hospital.
DIR. John L. Feeny examined-ls physician In
Richmond county; Staten Island; was connected
with the Retreat Tor eight years, having lett 1t last
year on account of prejudice on the part OF
the trustees the ship James Foster, Jr., arrived
with number Of sick. ana when the men presented
themselves it was supposed they mad been BADLY
treated, but it was subsequently ascertained that
the Of the ns Wy
ILL USAGE ON BOARD,
although they were suffering from typhoid fever;
several parties In the hospital contracted the dis
ease and died therefrQm; witness was tTytDg 10 get
a higher position, and the difference OF opinion be.
tween himself and the other physician was the
cause Of MS removal; thought that the last change
~ 6fc6fB Was created on account Of political pre-
Ldcea. Mr. Webster was removed on that account;