The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-08-31
TOO MUCH WORK
Cooks at State Hospital
Tell Why Food
Isn't Palat-
BILE
DAIATINEss TAKES TIME
Potatoes Aren't Washed Be-
cause It's Too Big a
Job for 400 Patients
MILK SKINNED AND WAYERED
More Testimony That Eggs
Were Stale and But
ter Rancid.
MILK SKINNED AND WAYERED
rsnecial 10 ..rhe Jersey city News."l

Especial to saThe Jersey City News."1
TRENTON, Aug. 81, 1901.-Not since the
first meeting of the managerial committee
of the State Hospital has the purpose OF
the committee not to probe too deep ana
to exercise care as to where the probe
reached, been so apparent as at yester-
days session.
The session opened in serious vein with
a passage at arms between Counsellor
John H. Backes and Judge Thompson,
the committee chairman, developed some
humorous features as 1t advanced and
ended in a burlesque. The latter con-
dition was primarily attributable to the
fact that some of the witnesses, most of
whom appeared in the light of defend
ants, seemed to treat the whole affair as
a huge joke.
Even under these conditions, adverse
to admission injurious TO the manage
ment, the testimony of previous days
was largely corroborated, and it was
brought out besides that the milk served
to patients was first SKINNED and, if oc-
casion required, watered.
Governor Voorhees, did not appear, be-
ing engaged elsewhere, and the four
committeeman had their own way, elm
mating whatever they saw fit when the
inquiry seemed to be taking a turn not
favorable to the management.
In vain did Mr.. Backes plead that i'm
mediate action be taken to alleviate the
condition of the unfortunate patients
without waiting for the red tape of a
protracted Investigation and a formal
analysis and consideration of the mass
of testimony which the committee admits
will take weeks after the inquiry itself
closes.
Afr. Backes was choked off time and
again by the peremptory order of the
chairman that the investigation must
proceed along the lines mapped out by
the committee.
After Mr.. Walker, the committees
counsel, had made a statement concern
ing the absence of Dr. Jones and At
tendant Walcott. Mr.. Backes said that
statements being in order. he would like
to make one concerning the visit paid the
dining rooms last Monday for the benefit
of those members of the committee who
were not members of the party of in
spection.
Mr.. Backes said he had refrained from
making any statement at the time be-
cause he wanted to make request with
his report.
I'VE went, as you know. Monday,
which is orned-beef-and-cabba
began Mr. 'Backes. ST will say that the
corned beef was not bad, the cabbage
was not Ill smelling. and the potatoes
were not rotten, but the manner OF serv-
ing the articles was disgusting and
enough to turn ones stomach The beef
was in great chunks, the cabbage was
slapped on the plate in a COB. and on
top of the mess was dropped a most uE-
inviting boiled potato. And that was all
that 400 sick insane patients had that
day.
'"rhe doctors say many of the patients
are physically healthy, but many of them
are i'll.
rs there man on this board who
would give his sick wife, mother or
father diet Of corned beef, cabbage
and boiled potatoes? I think not. I
think the management should take the
matter up at once and see if some other
arrangement than this cannot be made
to serve this special diet that DR.. Cort
is so proud of.
ST saw that famous chicken soup that
IS served all the year round, and DR..
Cort even boastfully extracted an emaci-
ated drumstick from the pot and showed
it to me- saying: Look at that fine piece
of chicken
Judge Thompson was visibly displeas.
ed at the attack made by Mr. Backes
and he brusquely asked what purpose he
had in making the statement at that
time.
because retorted Mr.. Backes.
warmly. stllis committee will take no ac-
tion for long time. The Legislature viii
not meet until January. and until then
these conditions will continue. Besides,
] state these things to let you know how
things were, Judge Thompson, because
.you did not accompany US"
"Well I think the board is not here
TO control the dining room, and we will
proceed with the investigation" said
Judge THOMPSON. who had reason to re-
gret the utterance as soon as he had
made it.
Mr.. Backes was on his feet in an in
stant with the declaration that the ur-
pose of the investigation, if it had the
slightest shadow of purpose at all, was
to correct just such evils. He asserted
further that it was just the time to con-
slider such matters while the evidence
was still fresh instead of waiting lor
months until the facts had been partially
forgotten or obscured by time.
do you want to stop the investigation
this morning?p asked Judge Thompson,
testify.
mo. sir, but" Mr.. Backes got no
further.
80 I supposed, Interrupted Judge
Thompson. 1--WE will proceed.
Mr.. Backes sat down indignant, but
not discouraged and Judge Thompson
heaved sigh Of relief. He realized that
the inquiry had been nearing forbidden
ground, and was determined that It
shc,ad not continue in that direction.
The appearance Of former Judge