Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-11
ST. ELIzABETH'ss HOSPITAL,
DR.. Richardson's b Statement of the
Formation of a labor Union.


Formation of a Labor Union.
DR.. Alonzo B. Richardson, the new SUI
perintendent Of the Government Hospital
last evening on some Of the phases of hos
pital matters with whichfhe Is now having
to deal as the medical and executive head
of st. Elizabeth's Asylunls Speaking of the
formation among a Mumhsr of the male at
tendants of the asylum of labor union
backed by the American Federation of La
Dor. it 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
IL would call upon him with certain de-
mands. among which, he was told, would
be request that the eight-hour system of
work be granted them, and that more
wages be paid the attendants He was
a.so LED 70 understand that in case their
demands We're not acceded to, and had they
been 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 years ago, 1t
is SAID. In the interests of the helpless pa
tients and the harmonious workings of the
Institution. said DR.. Richardson he then
sent out the paper, pledging adherence to
the lhsttutlon. for signature. All he had
done was done in the endeavor to protect
the insane inmates and the best interests of
the hospital. he said. Since that time he
stated, he has been informed that If the
LABOR union is for anything 1t is for the
purpose of securing congressional legisla-
ton regarding the attendants pay and
working hours. So far as those are con-
cerned who have refused to sign the paper
sent out by him, DR.. Richardson said they
were perfectly safe in their respective po-
sltlons, so far as the matter of THAR re-
fuSal goes. He has, he explained, no objec-
ton 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
dlfticulty 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
than those paid in any similar institution
in this country. Out of an appropriat ton
of S211,mO spent during the last fiscal year
something over 30 per cent was paid in
wages The number of persons employed in
looking after the insane about 500, the
patients numbering nearly 1900, is also a
larger proportion than usual he said.
DIR. richardson is about to have inaugu-
rated at st. Elizabeth's 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 It is the superin-
tendents idea to have the graduates Of the
training schoo, pass into the work of nurs-
Ing at the asylum on the male wards as
well on the female side Of the house.
DR.. Richardson's views are that In many
II Instances, notably among the acute and
bed-ridden cases, the female trained nurse
is a better one for the male patient than
nurse of his own sex. The course of in