Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-11-16
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL


The state board of control is lnyes-
tigating charges of cruel and inhuman
treatment against some OF the attend
ants at the st. Demands hospital at
Council Bluffs. This institution is
under the management of the Sisters
of Mercy, who also have charge of st.
Thomas hospital in the same city.
st. Demands, however, Is devoted to
the care OF the insane exclusively. II
Is charged by DIR. George L. Miller,
Omaha dispatches say, and by others,
that some of the attendants In the in
sane hospital have been guilty of
cruelty to patients. This cruelty has
not extended to the point OF actual
danger to life. The state boa has
been investigating the conditions as
to the charges for some time. private.
ly, of course, and has had interviews
with those who have filed the cha eges.
Sworn evidence and direct charges
are essential to proceedings by the
board and II is believed that the bolrd
Is progressing rapidly, but surely, to.
ward a definite conclusion In the ssh.
sational matter. The institution can
accommodate about 800 people, being
one of the largest private insane in.
situations In the state. There were
about 140 inmates at the last biennial
report of the board OF control.
The return of $225,0O0 from the as.
sets of the Northwestern National
Life Insurance company of Minnea.
polls to the office OF the auditor of
Iowa, b, f. Carroll, is contemplated
in an action which will be instituted
within n few days by c. ii. Johnson.
n Des Moines attorney, in behalf of
former policy holders of the old
Northwestern Life and Savings com.
pany and present policy holders of
the Northwestern National Life. The
suit Is In conjunction with number
OF suits which have been brought
against the latter company during the
last few months, and which propose
that n receiver be appointed for the
old Des Moines organization. Tho
matter was taken up In Des Moines
by Mr.. Johnson, when a number of
former policy holders met and do
cided that their policies which they
surrendered In the Northwestern Life
and Savings for policies In the North.
western National Life should be de-
clared valid and the exchange be an.
nulled on the grounds of pross mis-
representation. The policy holders.
numbering nearly score, state that
agents of the Northwestern National
Life came to them, told them that
their policies In the Northwestern
Life and Savings were OF little value,
and made an offer to transfer them.
In about 1900 instances this was
done. Among the number are those
who propose to bring the suit. BY SO
transferring policies Il Ia said that
the reserve necessary to be held In
the Iowa state auditors office was re
duced by $225,000 and this was re-
moved from Iowa and taken to the
home office and made assets OF the
original company. The company of
ficers, so the policy holders claim
through their attorneys, made net
profit of $4,000 by the consolidated
transactions. Fully 100000 was paid
out In commissions and expenses To
agents. The action Is greeted with
considerable delight on the part OF
other plaintiffs in the suit because II
pointed and the matters OF the insur
ance company placed In position OF
final adjustment.