New-York tribune., 1902-02-24
REPLIES To ODELL,S ATTACK.
STATE CHARITIES AID ASSOCIATION
SAYS THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM
WAS ASSAILED

The state Charities Aid Association has issued
a reply the arguments in the memorandum nied
by Governor OdeIl in approving the bill abollsrlns
the boards Of MANAGERS of the state hospitals for
the insane. The association has thirty-fve vis-
tors to the State hospitals from whom reports
are regularly received and the assistant secretary
Miss Mary Vida Clark has made frequent visits
to all the institutions The reply says:
The Governor Instances .urv-three cases OF K
& avaSaHGe G OF b neI4Sie1es rssqIi s StuSv OF the
accusations it is found Esfe2n Of them are
based on misgnderst&t .sT ~ Iac's; L. s,,bsra NIe
tiated refer 10 the systenes hich in existence
previous to the establishment OF the state care
system now IN operation. and the esllrlate ssss
TEN. which makes il necessary for the boards or
rnissi6ners in Lunacv and the Controller before
making any expenditure. IL is found therefore.
o 1dT MAGE Is T5 3 to BE- sboshsd April i
but The old system which was Completely abolished
win rba 1assa - ~ m. T1s9n1v INV OF ISgS be-
cause OF the very conditions described by the Gov
The most important characteristics OF the present
system is that il is a system Of checks.
The association then deals with the quotations
made by Governor Oden from Governors Cleveland
Flower. Hill and Black, declaring that 1t is Inn
possible 70 adduce from them any definite express
sion OF policy referring 20 the present system
The structures of Mr. Apgar met by the state
ment thar he referred time Of inflated prices.
due TO the aftermath OF the Civil War. The Gov
ernor's statement that the maximum limit OF $500
per capita allowed by law is used for the buildings
for insane patients. whereas the buildings for
nurses are provided a Of less than $500. Is
answered by pointing that nurses. who are able
bodied and able minded persons. do not require the
same provisions in regard freprOOf construction
and hospital arrangements that the insane need
The charge that Utica improvements were
made AT the OF $4,000 bed is answered BY
the association follows
\ clearer statement OF the case would be that
The hospital was kept IN repair for twenty -tnree
years. while at the same time new accommodatIonS
pan1 a new engine and 6fIer house @ new bakery
made.
The report then continues
Regarding the statement that TIE managers OF
the GOwanda State Hospital entered into contract
hospital. instead OF leaving he work the state
architect II should De said that the Gowanda
OF 1884 before the establishment OF the ONCE or
Among the Cioverrorz criticisms of The conditions
OF Jhe HUDSON River STATE HOSPITAL at this time me
meat az an expense OF y cents per pound more
-rir-aa n tis Lc,-5 ~ -1I-9 80 + ~ Sc sS,v-
ing thar no such contract was ever made
a farm was bought from one Of the members of
the board OF managers at price greatly in excess
Of its market value Our understanding Of the
the father Of member Of the board of managers
a price which was so reasonable that imnedf-
aJey aiIsr Ine pgrchase a SIeneya nm orLered me
expressed himself as entirely satisfied with the
purchase
As 70 the coal ana canal expenditures OF the
Long Island State Hospital the association
ports.
It would have been impossible for the Long
Island state Hospital 10 make contract in 1895
for coal in 1897 for canal without the approval
beforehand or the State Commission in LunaCy-
The coal procured at that time was. IL is true.
tisfaCtOry. because few contractors would Uu-
dertake sell coal under the conditions required
which ueCessitated the conveyance OF the coal by
canal 20 the hospital
OF the alleged undue evperse the part OF the
Manhattan State Hospital for quarters in the city
is said
II is necessary for this hospital maintain
city OfTiCe where friends of patients to
make inquiries secure passes 70 Wards Island. and
tickets Central Isip. and wleTe the business
lating TO the consideration or plans and speCica-
tIOns. the letting OF contracts ana other matters
can be transacted. As many eight hundred per-
have visited the office Of the hospital in one
dav.
Unauthorized purchases at the same institution
the extent or S50000 said he due to the
mistake in the accounts Of the steward OF the hos
pitaI and resulted in / the State, the
steward being recommended To the board OF man
ayers by the State Commission in LUnaCy. The
cottage plan, which the Governor objects TO- IS said
O be the only scientific method of accOmmOdating