Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-05
s''EW INTENDANT NAMED
Louis F. Zinkham at Head of
Washington Asylum.
ACCEPTS THE POSITION
CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT TO
TAKE EJECT JUNE 1.
Appointee Comes From Baltimore and
is Man Of Experience-Mr. Stout
enburgh's Long Service.

| ent of Bayv.ew Asylum Baltimore has been
appointed to the position of intendant of the
/ Washington Asylum, 10 succeed Mr.. w. H.
| Stoutenburgh, who has held that position
| for the past twenty-five years. The an
nouncement of Mr.. Zinkhams appointment
| was made this morning by Commissioner
| West. who has supervision over the Wash
| ington Asylum. The Commissioners have
agreed upon the appointment. 1t is stated
that Mr. Stoutenburgh will tender his resig
| nation within few days, but the change
| in the management will, not take place until
| June next. The Commissioners state that
| MIR. Zinkham has signified his willingness to
| accept the position to which he has been ap-
| pointed, and will notify the Baltimore off,
| Gals of his decision shortly.
The change in the position of intendant
| of the Washington Asylum has been con-
| templated by the Commissioners for several
months and it is made as a result of the in
| Eestigafion into the mana cement of the in
stitutiOn which was conducted by the board
| of charities last summer
The investigation referred to grew out of
| certain criticisms of the management of
| the asylum made by the chairman of the
| the board of charities. in reply to questions
| asked during the hearing on the estimates
! for the institution before the House sub
! committee on appropriations
In April, 1902. the Commissioners re-
| qCested the board of charities to prefer
| formal charges in writing relative to the
acknowledgement alleged. The investiga-
| ton was ordered by the Commissioners in
August. 1902. and was made by the COM
| mittee on miscellaneous institutions of the
| board of charities.
| In it's report, which was submitted to the
Commissioners August g. 1903. the inyesti-
| eating committee reported that the method
| of handling supplies at the institution was
lax and defective; that there was a serious
| lack of discipline at the institution that
| the food supply of the institution was fire.
| quently inadequate, part of it unsuitable,
and that even spoiled food had at times
| been sent to the table.
| Committees Comment.
| In closing its report the committee made
| the following comment:
| While it Is true that inefficient en-
| plOyeS may have been appointed to posi-
lions in this institution. and while lin
| tied appropriations may not have ena bled
| the institution to be conducted on the
| high plane that should mark the public
| institutions of the national capital your
| committee does not believe that either of
| these facts explains or justifies the lax
! management and the want of system
| which 1T finds has prevailed in the insti-
| tuition: and in submitting it's report your
| committee cannot refrain from express
| ing its conclusion that the administra-
| ton of the Washington Asylum by the
| present intendant has been characterized
|
| methods that demonstrates executive in
| efficiency"
The Commissioners. after becoming in
| formed OF the conditions at the asylum.
at once decided that a change In the di-
| rect supervision of the institution was
| necessary They began a search for a suit
| able man to place in charge of the insti-
| tuition. They endeavored to find a Wash
| 1ngton man for the place, and while sew
| eral persons were found who had bust
ness and executive ability. they were I'M
aDde TO secure any one who had expert
ence In the work of such institutions
| along with other qualifications
| when Homer Folks, former commits
sioner OF charities of New York city, was
| IN washington MIR. West had a personal
interview with him and asked Mr.. Folks
4 TO suggest some suitable man for the
position Mr. Folks, however, was unable
a. tnat time to recommend any one who
ne thought would take the position at
| the salary offered Finally Commissioner
| West learned of Mr.. Zinkham and nf his
| timore. ~
The Tender Made.
The local board of charities made inouirv
as 70 Mr. Zinkham's qualifications. and as
result he, several months ago. was Of
fered the position of superintendent of the
| washington Asylum The salary of tho
! Bayv1ew Asylum is $1,000 year, while thar
| OF the local institution at that time was
S Sn s.1U MI; Zinkham did not feel justi-
heo IN making the sacrifice of 800 year in
| salary IN order to come to Washington
| me Rouse committee during the present
session. however, provided for an increase
| in the salary of the intendant of the wash
| 1ngton Asylum from 81, 200 a year to 81 5n1
This was done, it Is understood. in orffar
tnat the position might attract some suit
aDle person. The Senate committee con-
Cured In the increase In salary and when.
under these conditions, the position was
| again offered to Mr.. Zinkham he looked
| upon the proposition more favorably
4 a Ior r,f !
than that of the superintendent of the Raw
view Asylum, there are other considera-
tons, it Is stated. which appealed to Mr..
Zinkham. In Bayyiew for Instance the
superintendent has his living Apartments In
the institution. while at the Washington
Asylum the superintendent has separa tie
private residence.
After considering the matter and per-
scnaily consulting with the District COM
nissioners, Mr.. Zinkham has stated that he
VIII accept the position offered.
| The Commissioners all express themselves
| as highly pleased with securing the sery-
| ices of Mr.. Zinkham, being of the opinion
| that he is just the man they want for the
place. Their efforts to secure n sr,itah
superintendent have been quietly conduct
| ed and it is stated they have selected their
| man altogether because of his qualifica.
items for the place. No political or other i'm
| fuence, 1t is known. has entered into the
matter of Mr.. Zinkhams appointment.
Formerly Minister.
L 1hC bSWfy dppoiutcu AuttEQdul was IOf-
merly minister in the Dutch Reformed
| Church. He is about forty-fiye years of
age, and for about seventeen years before
taking charge of the Bayview Asylum he
] was agent for the Prisoners Aid Associa-
| ton of Baltimore. About ten years ago MIR.
] Zirkham was appointed superintendent of
Bayyfew Asylum, the city institution In Bal
| tin ore for the care of the insane. INDECENT
and sick. When he took charge there, it
| is stated, the institution was in a deplOra-
| BILE condition. and there was great need of
] a thorough reform.
Mr. Zinkham's record at the institution,
| it is said, has been very creditable. He has
succeeded In bringing it up to high stand
| ard and his efforts all sides have met
| with success. He has under his care an
nualy about 1880 persons. and the affairs
of the asylum. it is learned. have been man
| aged with great ability. At the Washing
ton asylum Mr.. Zinkham will have charge
of about 100 persons.
/ The Washington Asylum includes the Dis
! tricts aims house. the work house and the
| Washington Asylum Hospital. Mr.. link
| ham, /; Is stated has had a large amount of
iexperience I'm hospital matters.
/ 1t is proposed that the change shall take
| effect Junsse in order that the new Stluerfn-