The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-05

p'"itSu Oh "Ohuuts
The meeting of the poor board yes
terday afternoon had certain eXcitable
features. Foremost and warmer than
the rest was an outburst by Director
Thomas Shotten, of the North End,
against DIR. NJ. J. Williams, who is
the out door physician for the Hyde
Park and Providence districts.
The trouble has struck fire at sever
al previous meetings, Mr. Shotten pre-
senting charges of neglect against DIR.
Williams. Director Paine of the
West Side, is DIR. Williams champion.
Yesterday the meeting was a very
long one. An unusual number of ap-
plications had been listened to with
out any friction on the part Of the
directors Present were: President
Langstaff, and Directors Brooks Muir
ply, Fuller, Shotten, Paine and Secre-
tary Lynett. The applications had
been disposed Of reports had been
read and received when Director Shot
ten arose from his seat and in
quiet way asked that an outdoor
physician be granted to his section, the
North End. He wanted the West Side
district divided. The office of the pres
ent and sole physician, Dr. Williams,
is, said Director Shotten, too far away
for the convenience of the North End
patients.
Then Director Shotten resumed his
seat.
DIR. PAINE OBJECTED.
Director Paine slowly and as if col
lecting his thoughts, arose and in
persuasive way expressed his opinion
that a change could not be made at
this time-the board would have to
wait until January 1. Director Shot
ten did not see why this delay. Had
not DR. Williams taken the position
one year ago? He thought the change
could be made now just as well as on
January l, 1898. Director Paine could
not be convinced and persisted on a
postponement of division of the dis
trict.
Director Shotten arose and told the
board how difficult it is to have COM
munication with DR.. Williams.
He has telephone" interrupted
Director Paine.
Yes" retorted Director Shotton;
''but it's an old machine and is not on
the metallic circuit. You can't under
to DR.. Williams over the telephone all
he says back Is what's that! Whal
that?' "
Director Paine insisted on this point
that the new physician could not be
appointed at this time. This persistency
finally brought Director Shotten to his
feet and placing his hand on his coat
inside pocket he drew forth a paper.
NH Ilrf 70 a
nett, his voice shaking from excite
ment, he exclaimed:
"Mr. Secretary, 1 want you to read
| this?"
READING THE CHARGES.
Secretary Lynett began to read. The
paper contained a prepared statement
written by Director Shotten setting
| forth his grievances. Director Shot
ten first showed the necessity of an
out door physician in his district He
stated that the North End section was
| as much entitled to the services of q
physician as the Hyde Park end He de-
| signated the lack of attention as an
| inhumanity. The statement grew
| gradually in fierceness, names of neg
| lected patients were cited and one of
| these, Henry Gave, of the North End,
was quoted by DR.. Shotten to say
| among other things that when DIR. Will
| liams called at the house where Gave
boards to attend a patient "his (Dr.
| WilliamsD actions were ungentleman-
| ly-"
At this point Director Paine sprang
| from his seat.
This is going too fart he cried At
| the same time President Langstaff was
saying something to the same effect.
DR.. Paine continued: THE board has
| decided upon a rule whereby such
cases as this will be heard"
He referred to the recent -
| rule of the board TO receive all charges
| against it's officers by committee ap-
| pointed for the purpose.
| II know" said Director Shotten arls-
| ing to his feet; "Dr. Paine has intro
duced a rule making such matters star
| chamber!
There was strong objection to this
| expression by President Langstaff and
| Director Paine. Continuing Director
| ShOtten was saying that this matter
has been before the board before"
TOO MUCH OF 1T.
Yes" interrupted President Lang
staff; lit has been before the board too
| much"
For the time this ended the rumpus.
Directors Fuller, Brooks and Murphy
sat through it all as spectators only.
After the transaction of minor busi-
ness Mr.. Shotten, who had re-taken
his statement from the secretary S
hands and consulted for a few min
utes with Director Brooks, arose and
requested that the president appoint a
committee of four to act upon the COM
| munication.
President Langstaff compiled, NAM
ing Directors Brooks, Murphy and Full
Ter. This committee will report at the
next meeting of the board.
A short session was held after the ad-
journment of the board but the de-
cision, If any was made, was retained
from the press. The letter which Di-
rector Shotten submitted was also
| withheld.
The business transacted by the board
was of great extent. Nearly a score OF
personal applications We're disposed Of
Ellen Duggan, of Cedar avenue, haC
her portion discontinued by Director
Terppe because he had been Informed
she sold liquor. She said the report
was scandalous. untrue. The case wa.
laid over. The wife of Andrew Pol
va, the man convicted of murder an(
sent TO the penitentiary, applied fol
aid. She has two small children. TIL,
hoard allowed her Sc per month.
Director Brooks reported that thu
compressed air pump at the Home will
| be started Monday The renort n