Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-06
Is GIVEN A HEARING
STATEMENT BY MANAGEMENT OF
EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.
Response to Charges Made Against
the 1nstitution-Case Of
Dr.. Hawkes..

No hearing was held before the Commits
sioners today relative to the controversy
between certain factions connected with
the Emergency Hospital. Instead Of an
oral discussion Of the troubles at that In
stitution which had been set by the au-
thorities for this morning. Mr.. w. j. Board
man. president Of the hospital. and other
members of the board Of directors submit
ted a written statement to the Commits
sioners setting forth their side Of the ques-
ton at issue, and DR.. W. H. Hawkes., who
was to appear as the representative Of the
other side of the question, will be given an
opportunity to submit to the Commission
ers statement in reply to that of Mr..
Boardman.
The statement presented to the Commits
sloners today bears the signatures of the
following members of the board of directors
In addition to that of Mr.. Boardman: Drs
Z. Morris Murray, w. P. Carr, A. r. Shand.
Swan M. Burnett and George NJ. Kober
Among other things, the statement con-
"Unhappily the animus that In this, as In
nearly all cases originating with one or
more members Of a board Of directors who
nave taken offense at some action Of their
associates, forces an ad hominam state
ment.
In the very recent investigation of this
same institution in April and May last the
person who acted as the counsel Of the in
stigator of that investigation, cross-exam-
lining witnesses and going himself on the
stand three or four times in his behalf az
q witness. now appears himself in the role
Of an instfgator Of another investigation.
Suggests a Query.
I'm regard to the exact power conferred
on the Commissioners relative to the order
ing Of an investigation Of charitable insti-
tutions by the board Of charities the fol-
lowing question arises: What discretion, If
any. can the Commissioners exercissT'
The statement contends that In ordering
an investigation the Commissioners would
have to decide aff1rmatively two questions:
First. II tho charges are true are they of
such an unfortunate character as to Justify
tho tnfiction upon the hospital Of the dam
ago that must necessarily result from order
Ing an investigation by public ofiicials7
necond. 10 the evidence upon which the
complainant proposes to rely suficient to
JUSTIFY 30 serious conclusion as that of
placing the hospital again on trial?
The statement calls the Commissioners
attention to the assertion that the two es-
pec!al charges made against the institution
by Dr. Hawkes. related to incidents which
occurred while he was acting as executive
omcer OF the hospital board, and 1t is claim
Cd that the responsibility as to the proper
treatment of patients during the month he
was executive officer rested upon the COM
p1ainant.
IT any resident physician the state
ment sets forth. declined to carry out DR..
Hawkes. orders or unskillfully treated a
patient. he should have been suspended by
the complainant" Under the conditions the
statement claims that Dr. Hawkes. Is es-
topped from making complaint.
The superintendent of the hospital, the
statement says, is empowered to purchase
supplies for the institution. resembling
of the executive officers orders for the pur-
chase of certain supplies, 1t is stated, was
done so that the committee on supplies
could take up the matter for consideration.
The statement also sets forth that the
directors are elected for three years. The
compliments term of Office expires April
next 1t may. perhaps, be properly sur
missed that the suspension over his head of
this Damoclean sword is to some extent
influencing his present conduct.
Defense Of the Bell Boy.
In closing. the statement says:
1.-THE conduct of the little bell boy was, as
is absolutely established. commendable in
every particular. The correctness of the
treatment of the delirium tremens patient
is as clearly established by reports attached
to this statement. If 1t had not been the
complainant under his own statement should
have been held responsible"
The writer's request the Commissioners or
some representative to visit the hospital
and aoquaint themselves with certain fea-
lures OF the hospital referred to in DIR.
Hawkes. statement of several weeks ago.
The reports of committees appointed to
investigate the charges made by DIR.
lar.- ia. Aa1 tn he ufo