The San Francisco call., 1896-04-21
Deplorable Condition of Affairs
at the City and County
Hospital.
THE PoORHoUsE INDoRsED.
Long Session of the Jury Last Night
AlmShouse Management Highly
Commended.

The Grand Jury yesterday succeeded in
effecting daylight surprise on the Aims
house and City and County Hospital.
Without word of warning, signal or pre-
monition of their approach, fifteen mem
bers of the Grand Jury, led by Foreman
Frank Maskey, suddenly alighted from
vehicles at the gates of the Almshouse,
and were inspecting the institution before
the officers and inmates of the place knew
what had happened.
The same tactics were employed al the
City and County Hospital. When the
superintendent and his large staff of as
sistants were least expecting an official
call, the grand jurors were at the doors,
ready to see the way things are managed
at the institution in everyday style.
The Almshouse was found in 6rst-class
condition. The members of the jury
made their advent at the noon hour, when
the midday food was on the table. They
ate the food, looked into the rooms, closely
examined the kitchen and supply-rooms,
went over the grounds and talked with
the superintendent. They ascertained
that the latter knew his business; that he
was posted on prices and quality of pro-
visions in daily Use. and had an exact
knowledge OF details as well as general
administrative knowledge.
AT the City and County Hospital a de-
plorable condition of affairs was disclosed.
The supplies were not of the best order,
the rooms were not cleanly and the insti-
ton did not appear to be conducted in
q manner worthy of commendation
Whether these faults are due to the Hos
pital Committee of the Board of Super
visors or to the Board of Health only the
official report of the Grand Jury will re
veal. 1t is the impre ssion that the City
and County Hospital needs more atten-
ton from the Supervisors.
The Magdalen Asylum was also visited
by the swift-moving fifteen and thorough
survey of the management made.
Last evening the Grand Jury had a
special meeting at the jury-room in the
City Hall and reviewed the days work.
The members congratulated themselves
and praised the foreman for the secrecy
enioined in planning the movement and
the accuracy in the execution of plans.
1t was the particular desire of the jury
TO get at the cold, inside facts, and men,
bers were gifted with sufficient sagacity to
perceive that any heralding in advance of
their visit would put the managers of the
institutions on their guard and defeat the
purpose of the expedition.
The session last night was prolonged
until a late hour. The topic discussed
was report OF the expedition, which will
be transmitted to the Board of Health in
the form of an official communication.
The report will set forth that the mem
bers of the Grand Jury, animated by
sense of public duty and guided by a
desire TO promote the public good and In
no wise influenced by partisan prejudice,
visited these institutions. 1t is believed
that the report will frankly and explicitly
state that The jury found the Almshouse
In excellent condition and admirably man.
aged throughout.
1t is sure that the City and County Hos
pltal Will not be commended, but it is not
certain that the management will be CEN
sured. The whole subiect-matter of the
management of this institution may be
deferred until another time
From the best information attainable
the official communication will go to the
Board OF Health to-day. The report under
consideration last night was fully dis
cussed. Some members were in favor of
amplltcation, but the sentiment seemed
to be in favor of concise statement
OF the fact that special COM
mittee had visited these institutions.
and while the jury had the utmost conf
dence in the integrity and judgment of
the members constituting the special COM
mittee, it was deemed advisable for the
jury In body to visit the Almhouse and
Hospital. Then the report will state dis
tinctly what was found lacking and what
was found existing.
In the preparation of the report Secre.
tary McLennan was assisted by Theodore
Payne, Adolphus Bull, W. Arthur Price
and others. AT IL O'Clock the jury had
not agreed as to the exact language of the
document.