Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-20
Probability That Board of Visitors
Will Be Ignored
COPY OF PAPER NOT YET FILED
Board Yesterday Decided to Hold
Open Investigation With Secre-
tary Hitchcock Present


appointed TO conduct the inquiry. 1t is also
understood that Mr.. Clark will ask for the
immediate consideration of the resoaltion
in order that there may be no delay In be-
ginning the investigation
1t was his intention to have Introduced
the resolution today, but he was unable TO
do so because OF the shortness of the ses-
sion. This is taken to mean that the oro-
posed investigation by the board OF visitors
would not have been satisfactory 10 some
or those Interested in the inquiry II was
Stated today that the charges of cruelty
nnd the use of straighttackets and othor
methods for the physical restraint of tile
Inmates of the insane hospital were but
secondary considerations. That the main
issue is the matter of alleged msma mage
ment and excessive expenditures.
Statement by Dr. Emmons.
In this connection 1t has been said by Dr.
Charles NJ. Emmons of the Medico-Legal
Bociety:
An examination of the per capita tables
pr seventy-nine insane asyiums, which in
clude those in almost every state of the
Union shows that the Government Hospital
for the Insane in the District of Columbia
heads the list TO the cost of manage
ment; that II stands number twenty-seven
In the column OF recoveries and number
five as having the highest death rate
II appears also from the table of COM
parlson that the Institutions having "a small
number of inmates cost the state a greater
per capita than those of large population;
for instance, Dannemora State Asylum.
New York, cost the state 500. 50 per capita
and has only 260 patients. while Ward
Island Asylum, in the same state, with 1856
patients, cost the state but S16771. We
note that the average per capita cost for
the twelve asylums of New York shows 1t
to be $3.50. The average per capita cost
for the five insane asylums of the state OF
Ohio Is SlOlO4. The three Virginia insane
asylums average SlO4 per capita and when
we consider that this state has the same
climate and markets our local institution
at ST. Elizabeths we see no reason for the
per capita cost OF 500 against S10i for
the state asyums of Virginia In the face
OF these comparisons the per capita cost OF
the Government Hospital for the Insane
should never exceed $500 per capita; any
Rs bo5Ta q 9sTt6f5 q he & government ysG nae
Hospital for the Insane, at its meeting
yesterday afternoon, decided to begin
thorough Investigation OF the charges
made against that Institution by a commit
tee OF the Medico-Legal Society as soon as
the formal printed allegations are received
by the board.
Developments today, however seem to
indicate that the Medico-Legal Society OFF,
GERS have no intention of officially fling
the charges with the board of visitors II
Is reported 10 be their purpose to either
ask for an investigation by Il congressional
committee or by the grand jury.
An officer Of the society this forenoon
gave color to this report by stating to
Star reporter that no decision had been
reached to present the matter to the board
OF visitors. Another Individual who Is
taking considerable interest in the matter
remarked that 10 ask the board to inyesti-
gate the charges would practically be ask
ing It TO investigate its own lack Of super
vision oyer the conduct Of the Hospital
Ter SDe Insane.
- Is eQptehded, on the other hand, that
the board Of visitors has more than met
this contention by It's declaration at the
meeting yesterday afternoon to hold an in
Qury with open doors and to court the ut
most publicity At this inquiry It Is pro-
posed that witnesses will be rgidiy exain-
ined. both sides TO the controversy being
represented. At such an Investigation It
was added, IL will be Impossible for the
board to do any "whitewashing" even II
It were so inclined. 1t is pointed out that
the high standing and probity of the mem
bers OF the visiting board Is q guar
antee that the inquiry will be impartial
and thorough. ana any imputation to the
contrary would be promptly resented
Request for Information.
At the session Of the board OF visitors
yesterday the decision was reached, It is
said. 10 call upon the committee of the
Medico-Legal Society which conducted the
investigation into the alleged abuses at the
insane asylum TO furnish its sources of in
formation and furnish list OF its witnesses
These Investigators On the part of the So
ciety are Or. Charles NJ. Emmons and Rich
ard p. Evans, an attorney
Or. GaEnell, president Of the board of
visitors, announced that another meeting
OF that body viii be called as soon as ne
received a copy OF the charges 1t is said
the report OF the committee Of the Medico-
Legal Society containing the charges has
been printed and is ready for issuance. hut
whether the society VIII officially send
copy to the board remains to be seen.
Should a copy or copies be so sent II is
said the board would take such action TO
mean that formal charges had been iled
Win u against the institution and would
at once begin the investigation which II Is
doors.
DR.. Gunneu, president Of the hoard NJ
visitors, expressed surprise at the evident
seriousness OF the charges. He said he had
conferred with Secretary OF the interior
Hltehcock, whose department has imme-
diate supervision over the Government Hos
pital for the Insane. and as a result of Tho
conference the decision was reached 10
nave searching inquiry made into tho ar
iaiTS OF tho Institution
VIII Be Rigid Inquiry.
Charges of this character" said DR..
Gunnell, ARE not iufrequent at such in
situations. But there viii re rigid in
quiry and Secretary Hitchcock will at
tend the meetings"
DR.. Reyburn, president OF the Medlco-
legal Society, declared that he indorsed
the charges and knew OF several specific
instances which he would testify to at the
proper time.
Dr. Emmons and Attorney Evans who
signed the charges. say they are prepared
60 give proof OF every assertion made.
Among the matters TO be looked into dur
ing the investigation is the case of an
Rged woman and her daughter, Mrs. Caro-
lima and Cornelia l. Corbett, formerly
@ell-to-do persons Of Alexandria where the
wonan's husband died about eight years
ago Attorneys for these inmates recently
attempted 10 secure their release on the
ground that they were not insane. but had
been sent there for keeping. being desti-
lutte.
More Restriction Of Immigration