Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-11
ST. ELIzABETH'ss HOSPITAL,
DIR. Rfchardson's b Statement of tn,
Formation of a Labor Union.


DR.. Alonzo B. Richardson, the new su-
perintendent Of the Government Hospital
Tor the Insane, talked to Star reporter
last evening on some Of the phases of hos
pftal matters with which she is now having
to deal as the medical and executive head
OF ST. Eiizabeths Asylum Speaking of the
formation among Hamher of the male at
tendants of the asylum of a labor union
packed by the American Federation of La
Dor. 1t is stated, for, the alleged reason of
protecting themselves in the matter of
working hours and wages, Dr. Rich
ardson said that several days ago he
was informed that an organization was
being effected among some of the male
attendants and that it was further repre-
sented tc him that after this Organization
was completed the employees connected with
1t would call upon him with certain de-
,hahds, among which, he was told, would
De request that the eight-hour system of
work be granted them, and that more
wages be paid the attendants He was
aso led to understand that In case fheir
DEMANDS We're not acceded to, and had they
peen made he would have been unable to
nave done so. there would be danger of a
strike among the attendants, as was threat
ened at st. Elizabeth's a few wears ago 1t
is said. In the interests of the heInlasS ma.
uents and the harmonious workings of the
Institution. said DIR. Richardson, he then
sent sen , out the paper, pledging adherence to
lhe institution. Tor signature. All he had
done was done in the endeayor to nrotect
the insane inmates and the best interests of
the hospital. he said. Since that time, he
stated, he has been informed that IL the
lapor UNION is for anything 1t is for the
purpose of securing congressional Iegtsla-
Gon regarding the attendants paw and
working hours. So far as those are con-
cerned who have refused to sign the paper
sent out by him, DIR. Richardson said they
We're perfectly safe in their respective DO
sltlons, SO far as the matter Of thar re-
fusal goes He has, he explained, no objec-
uon to the existence Of the union at the
asylum. Dr. richardson added that in all
the institutions in Ohio of which he has
been at the head he had never had any
d1fhculty with the employees under him. In
speaking OF the wages paid at the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane Dr. Richard
son SAID they We're proportionately larger
IMAM those paid In any similar institution
IN th1S country. Out of an appropriation
of S2ll 600 spent during the last fiscal wear
something over 30 per cent was paid in
wages. The number of persons employed in
looking after the insane, about 800, the
patients numbering nearly 1000, is also a
larger proportion than usual, he said
DR.. Richardson is about to have inaueu-
rated at st, Elizabeths a large training
school, where female attendants may be
instructed as trained nurses for work in
the hospital. The first class will be started
Monday evening next. 1t is the superin-
tendentS idea to have the graduates Of the
training schoo pass into the work of nurs-
well as on the female side of the house.
Dr. Richardson's views are that in many
II stances, notably among the acute and
bed-rldden cases, the female trained nurse
is a better one for the male patient than
a nurse of his own sex. The course of in