New-York tribune., 1901-01-12
PROBING BELLEVUE ABUSES.
DIR. MACDONALD SHOWS GRAND JURY PICT-
URES OF INJURED INSANE

The Grand Jury began an investigation OF the
MANAGEMENT of the insane pavilion at Bellevue
Hospital yesterday afternoon. when Dr. A E Mac
donald called witness. He had with MIN
books containing information about insane patients
who had been transferred from Bellevue 10 the
Manhattan State Hospital on Wards Island. and
over two hundred photographs OF such patients
II was said that many of the photographs showed
marks of bruises which the patients had received at
Bellevue. Assistant District Attorney Pierce was
in the Grand Jury room when the testimony Of
DR. Macdonald was given. DR.. Rowe, assistant
to Dr. Macdonald at the Manhattan State Hos
pitaI. also witness, as was James Gleason
the register at Bellevue. The Grand Jury did not
report to the court.
The main subject of conversation at Bellevue
among the officials and attendants yesterday was
the Grand Jury Investigation The significant feat
ure of the subpoena served DR.. Macdonald, 1t
was said was request for photographs OF patients
admitted the Manhattan State Hospital from
Bellevue. These photographs show the physical
condition of the patients when they reached Wards
Island Many of the patients. according to the
evidence OF the photographs. must have been
handled with much brutality.
Commissioner Keller asked yesterday about
the charges made by George Crouch against Super
intendent George Blair OF the Outdoor Poor Depart
ment. Commissioner Keller said Mr.. Blair was $40
ont of pocket for money he had advanced to a
woman on account of Mr.. Crouch. Asked concern
ing threatening letters which Mr. Crouch said he
had received from Mr.. Blair. Commissioner Keller
said that Mr. Blair says he has letters from MI
Crouch which accuse the superintendent Of harbor-
ing disorderly persons, and these letters may De
placed in the hands of the Federal authorities
When asked about the case or Riva Baron. the
Russian immigrant who was supposed 10 nave
been sent 10 Russia order OF deportation and
Who was afterward found insane and starving In
Philadelphia. Commissioner Keller said tnat the
State Board of Lunacy ordered Blair 10 nave the
woman deported. This was mere request ana an
accommodation for the State Board. Blair placed
the woman in the charge of a Mrs Warren VINO
was going 10 Montreal from which place the woman
was to be sent back to Russia on the same steam
Sbt1 She arrived on That was all that Commits
sIoner Keller knew about the case
commissioner Keller was asked ABOUT the reilaIA
~ DR. Allan McLane Hamilton TO the e1ect tnat
Commissioner Keller not dtsposing or the
charges against persons in the proper way. Dr.
HamiIton was reported to have said that any one
could dispose of charges by saying that they We're
Indefinite. Commissioner Keller said that the Lhe
charges will be disposed OF when Dr. Fltch makes
his reply DR. Fitch Is i'll at his home
Dr Stewart, the superintendent at SeLeV ue, sttI9
that five nurses resigned on THURSDAY h8ht anu
anotber Yesterday morning. Out OF the original
siqbtv-three nurses in the training schooi Wheh
the trouble began there only thirty-nvs re,
nainns There seventy-two male nurses anu
saventy-nine female nurses In Bellevue HosPltaL
Tbe cans have been filled by appointments oy CON-
missioner Keller and DR.. Stewart