The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-31
TIE HERDING OF THE INSANE.
SOME RESULTS OF GOV. ODELLS
POLICY OF ECONOMY"
Changes in the Plans Insisted Upon by
Him Increase, Not Diminish. the Cost
OF Buildings-State wards Used as
Pawns in Playing His Political Game.

PaWns In Playing His Political Game.
ALBANY, Oct 2s-Recently Governor
Chairman Odell has caused to be circulated
among the phi ysicians Of the State a circular
letter signed by three friendly physicians
pretending to point out benefcent results
which have followed the Governor Chair
mans Capitalization at Albany Of the ad-
ministration Of the State ins ane hospitals,
The fact remains. however. that the adverse
criticisms which have followed the results
Of such Capitalization have been more than
warranted.
No one will dispute the fact that ever
since Gov. Odell. for political purposes,
began his manipulation OF the State hos
pitfalls for the insane, the accommodations
for patients at these hospitals have been
growing more and more inadequate.
To-day. with a hospital population of 25-
Ole, there Is suitable accommodation
according to the records OF the State Com
mission In Lunaoy. for only 21.52l patients.
Thus the herdipg Of some Of the patients
results The insane in this State are in
creasing at the rate Of 100 year, but with
expenditures deferred in the name Of econ
omy and for the purpose Of playing politics,
the facilities for their care are by no means
keeping pace with the demand. The rea-
sons for this are not hard TO find.
Early in 1901 the State Commission In
Lunacy advertised for bids to construct
a new group of buildings at the Rochester
State Hospital. These included reception
building, an infrmary ~, a kitchen and dining
room building, chronic patients Luilding
and an employees building with connect
ing corridors. The buildings for patients
were to be two stories in height, one floor
being for the day room and the one above
for the sleeping room. This was in &C.
oordance with the plans in vogue in progress
sive countries everywhere. 1t not only
facilitated administration, but made a
balance between the day rooms and the
sleeping quarters that was desirable.
The lowest bid for these buildings, in
tended to care for 500 patients. was sos. 900,
or about $500 per capita, which was con-
sidered to be a very reasonable expenditure.
But here the business" Governor interfered.
He insisted upon the substitution, in place
Of the two story buildings, of three story,
non-fireproof structures for dormitory pur-
poses, and DR.. Frederick Peterson. then
president OF the State Commission In Lu-
daoy, and State Architect Helms, gave way
to the Governor Chairrnan's demands. al
though DR.. Peterson must have known
better. He, at least, must have appre-
ciated the added danger from fire. and
having an interest in the welfare OF the
insane, would not have agreed with the
prominent State official who expressed
the opinion that "No great harm would be
done" II some OF the patients were burned up.
The result was that the plans had to be
changed lust before the bids we're to be
opened and verbal changes in the bids also
were permitted to meet the added cost,
and the contract was not executed until
Oct. 8. 1901, when It was given to O'Connor
A. Boo tn Of Jamaica. These contractors
agreed to erect the buildings according to
the changed plans at that time for $243, 200,
the buildings to accommodate $50 patients.
This was heralded by the Governor-C Chair
man at the time as great saving to the
State. At the present time this work,
which was to have been finished according
to the contract on Nov. 20, 1902. is far from
completion. The State already has paid
$3.50, GOT and the contractors have claims
on account Of further changes in The plans
for over $4,000 more, while the State
architect figures that 1t will take Ss2 900 to
complete the buildings. This would mean
cost OF $3.50, an increase Of $50 a patient,
caused by the interference OF Governor
Chairman Odell.
The Legislature OF 1908 by Cha pier 81
authorized the State Commission In Lunaoy.
subject to the approval OF the Governor,
to purchase a site for a newiState hospital,
to cost over 100000, in the northea stern
part OF the State, north Of the county Of
Rensselaer,. and appropriated $4,000 for
that purpose. Gov. Odell has been playing
politics with this legislation, and conss-
quently with the urgent needs OF the insane,
ever since the law was enacted.
Notwithstanding the fact that the prop
erty at Comstocks Of Isaac v. Baker
Republican leader OF Washington county
has been unfavorably reported on for a
site by the superintendents Of the State
hospitals who examined it, as well as by
engineering experts. and other more ac-
ceesible and better adapted sites rec
commended, the Governor Chairman has
made Mr.. Baker believe that his property
would be selected In order to win Mr., Baker
over from Sena tor Plat. Over eighteen
months have passed, however, since the
law was enacted and no choice Of a site
has yet been ma de by the Stat Luna cy Com
mission, which IN 30 much under the thumb
OF the Governor Chairman that i fears 10
act In opposition 10 his wishes. 1t is ex-
pected the Governor will force the selec-