The Washington times., 1903-08-06
ASYLUM INTENDANT
HELD RESPONSIBLE
Continued from First Page)

supply of the institution is frequently
inadequate; that part of it is insult
able; and that even spoiled food has
sometimes been sent to the table. The
reading of the testimony Of the proper
ty clerk. who has charge of the issuing
OF supplies to the main kitchens of the
institution. and who, in measure. acts
as steward of the institution, will re-
veal q practice in the matter of issuing
foodstuffs that can only be termed
amazing.
There seems to be no idea whatever
of a ration, no ineligible basis for the
issuance of foodstuffs of any kind. and
the whole matter of regulating the food
supply to the number of inmates seems
to be more or less matter of chance.
or at best a piece of guesswork" 0
Instances Cited
Illustrations are given from the rec
ords. One of these shows that when the
population of the Institution was 565 in
mates. the number of pounds of meat
supplied was AS. Three weeks later the
population had increased from 565 to
5S2, while the amount of meat supplied
was reduced from AS pounds to $50
pounds. Here is a diminution Of the
meat supply amounting to eighty-two
pounds. corresponding to an increase OF
seventeen in tie population On another
occasion the board shows there was an
increase Of approximately fifty pounds CT
meat, corresponding to a decrease of
fourteen in the population
Ihe coffee issued each day remains a
constant quantity, and more or less water
Is added to regulate the supply to the
population After the coffee for the aims
house has been drawn off, practically six
pounds of coffee remain to supply the
wcrkhouse, and as the number Of inmates
here within the year has varied from 29O
TO All 1t will be seen that these six
pounds, with fixed amount Of suger, are
sometimes used to make 81 gallons of
coffee and at other times II2. The
strength Of the coffee at its best can
readily be imagined, while at its worst
a single pound of coffee is allowed for
eighteen gallons of water
"As an Illustration of the want of
care exercised in the inspection OF food
issued and sent to the table, it may be
stated that fish. so spoiled as to be un-
suitable for food, has on more than one
occasion been allowed to be served on
the table for breakfast, and that tainted
meat has been issued TO the hospital,
and rejected by the cook there.
The evidence further shows that a
large part Of the oatmeal served to the
inmates Of the wOrkhouse for breakfast
is not eaten, but simply finds its way.
with the scraps. to the pigpen. This
seems to be a condition that has ex-
listed for years. Why the oatmeal is
not eaten, your committee does not
know-it is served cold, without milk or
sugar-but it seems to be inexcusable
that any kind of food should be served
continuously year in and year out,
which the inmates refuse. to eat"
The same complaint exists in regard
to the cOrnbread supplied to the va
rious departments of the institution
The baker complains that he is unable
to get grease for use in the cornbread.
and at times is unable to get grease 10
use in his pans.
Irregular Meal Hours.
''As a further illustration of the lack
of order and system in the Institution,
the Irregularities of the meal hours may
be cited The hours for each meal seem
to differ from day to day, frequently as
much as half an hour, and, IN some
cases. even as much as three-quarters
of an hour.
Before the conclusion of the hearing
the intendant of the institution was Of
fered the opportunity to present wit
nesses or TO make any statement for
record that he might see fit No wit
nesses were called on his part, nor was
any statement submitted by him TO your
committee, other than the letter under
date of July 20, appended to this report,
in which he calls attention to his lack
of power to appoint or dismiss subordi-
mates, and makes a general charge Of
untruthfulnesss against unnamed wit
nesses.
Whilst it is true that inefficient en-
ployes may have been appointed to po-
sitions in this institution, and whilst
limited appropriations may not have
enabled the institution to be conducted
on the high plane that should mark the