The San Francisco call., 1895-12-18
State Examiners Investigate the
Charges Made by DR..
Waggoner.
HIS ALLEGATIONS NOT PROVED.
Testimony of Witnesses Clearly Ex.
onerates the Accused Women
Directors.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Dec. 17.-Some
two weeks ago charges were preferred be-
fore the State Board of Examiners against
the women directors of the Founding
Home IN this city by DR.. Waggoner of
the City Board of Health. 1t was alleged
thatthe building was not in a good sani-
tarv condition; that but 21% gallons of
milk per day was allowed for fifty inmates
and employees; that the rate of mortality
among the inma ties was very great; that
gross immortality existed among the chill
dren; that specific consideration was de-
manded from those wishing to adopt chill
dren; that State aid was accepted for alb
sent children, and that the inmates were
underfed and not properly warmed.
These accusations, preferred against
women of the highest social standing who
have associated themselves with this insti
tuition for sweet charity's sake-there
being absolutely no compensation at
tached-aroused their indignation, and
the board, which consists of Mrs. Clayton,
Mrs. F. w. Fratt, Mrs. T. Deming, Mrs.
H. Clark, Miss Mary Garrett Mrs. T. B.
Flint, Mrs. E. T. MerKlev, Mrs. F. D.
Lord and Mrs S. Solon HoIl, appeared be-
demanded an official investigation. This
was granted, and DR.. Ruggles of the State
Board of Health was appointed by the
Governor to inquir1 into the truth of the
charges.
The investigation was held this morning
in the Supreme Court room at the Capitol,
and the accuser signally failed to uphold
the charges. Mrs. Shaw, matron of the
institution, after being sworn said:
II have been in charge of the Founding
Home for seventeen months. During that
time no child over ? years old has died
there, and over two-thirds of the deaths
were of babes under months, many Of
whom came to rs in such neglected con-
dition that it was simply impossible to
save them. Babies have been left on the
doorstep wrapped in scanty bits of rags,
and in some cases bleeding, weak and
chilled.
For these there was absolutely no hope,
and yet they helped to swell the death
rate. During my administration the food
has been of good quality and amply suffi-
cient for all. 1t consisted of mush and
milk, bread and butter, or hot cakes for
breakfast, luncheon at noon and hearty
O'Clock, when the little ones returned from
school, During the winter the larger boys
are permitted the use of the kitchen to
study in, and the girls have separate
well-warmed apartment"
When questioned by Judge S. Scion
Holl, who acted as advocate for the ladies,
as TO whether the children had ever suf-
fered from insufficient food, Mrs. Shaw
said very slowly and impressively:
Never, as God is my Judge. and as any
body OF honest men could see II they
would investigate in an unbiased spirit.
The children are plump and hearty, their
flesh clean and firm and they have never
been compelled to subsist on dry bread"
"is it true, Mrs. Shaw, that food is con-
viewed to some of the dormitories in large
pans and that all the children in these
apartments are fed by the nurse out of the
one vessel and with the same spoon?"
asked Judge Holl.
st is true that the food is conveyed to
the apartments in this manner. but each
child has its separate dish and spoon.
Even the nursing babies have their sepa-
rate bottles, which are kept for them alone.
All food supplies are bought by Mrs. Dem
ing and Mrs. Howard Clark and are the
best procurable. / also have authority to
order at any time, and always thoroughly
examine the supplies"
DR.. Wizard of the State and City Board
Of Health was the next witness sworn, and
stated that in August, 1894. he was ap-
pointed by the Board of Health to exam
Inc into the alleged high rate Of mortality
in the institution.
'tIn nv opinion" said DR.. Wizard, 1.-the
location is unfortunate, being in the vi
cinity of the sewerage dumping grounds of
the CITY, In one room | found a number
of Young babies, three of whom were dy-
ing | found that the nurses were doing
ali in their power for the little ones and
were changing the food as much as pos.
sible In my judgment, the death of
these little ones was due to the condition
in which they arrived at the home. The
rate of mortality in children born out of
wedlock is necessarily very high and is
due to the fears and excitement of the
mothers and their natural desire to escape
detection.
1.-The little ones enter into the battle of
life with their nervous system shocked
through their mothers trouble. l found
that the ladies were greatly depressed be-
cause with all their care the children
died. | saw nothing about the institu-
ton of a sanitary nature to comment
upon, with the exception that the intro
duction of two ventilators would have
been beneficial. These were put in two
weeks ago.
AZ again visited the Institution and
found many improvements; the Children
looked hearty and well fed. l saw no evil
dence of i'll treatment or lack OF food.
'If such had been the case they would
have manifested it by voice. In all insti-
tutions of this nature the mortality is
very great, ranging from so to 66 per cent,
caused, as | said before, by the unfortunate
manner in which they come into the
world" :.
Judge Holl-The mortality in this IN
stitution has been 45 per cent.
Dr. Wiard-That is by no means un-
usually large. ILL.,,
Judge Holl-Do you think the allow
ance of $40 per month as made by the
State for each child is enough to purchase
food?
DIR. Wiard-I think it ample.
Upon cross-examination by DR.. Wag-
goner the witness said that milk diet was
by all physicians to be the
proper one for babies. There was no RUE
to go by as to how much was needed. II
a generous diet were given the older chill
d rem they did not need milk, and IN that
case three gallons day would be sufhclent
for the inmates.
The subject of the home being infested
by bedbugs was discussed. and while the
presence of the pest was admitted 1t was
stated that every effort was being put