Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-01
DIR. WHITE CONTINUES
His Testimony Before the Oh
colt Committee.
RATHER UNlNTERESTING
Details of His Administration Of At
fairs Given.
POSITIONS HE HAD CREATED
Patients Better Fed Than in other In
situations of Its Kind-Removal
of Physical Restraint.
POSITIONS HE HAD CREATED

superintendent White OF the Government
Hospital for the Insane continued his testi-
mony today before the Olcott special COM
mlttee. which Is inquiring into the conduct
of that Institution. The testimony was
rather uninterestlng as a whole, although
of value to the committee as throwing adj
ditlonal light on the administration of af-
fairs in the big Institution.
DR.. White thought everybody sane or in
sane, able to do any sort of work should
be employed. Many OF the patients at the
asylum performed some labor. Very few
of the patients were paid.
Referring to the matter of mechanical
restraints. DR.. White read an order dated
January 81. 1904 instructng the medical
staff to abolish the so-called saddle re-
Straint. Hydrotherapeutic methods were
used a substitute for mechanical re-
Straint. In some cases, however, mechan-
ical restraint was absolutely necessary. He
gave one instance of a patient who tried to
gouge his own eyes out. The physician who
would not use restraint in such a case as
this Dr. White said, was not fit to be In
charge of the insane. Attendants had no
authority to use restraints
DIR. White. replying to Representative
Wallace, said that with two other physic-
ifns he had, several years ago, published
a work OF original research which was the
first of its kind in this country. and, in some
respects, in the world.
The superintendent did not see that there
was any necessity for an entire separation
OF the epileptic insane from the other in
sane. Their separation In different wards,
sufficient, he thought.
Foreman Maenche on Leave.
Foreman Maenche Of the laundry was
now home on leave of absence. Dr. White
said The superintendent had sent Maenche
home himself. DIR. White had investigated
the conduct OF Foreman Maenche, but
had gathered a lot OF conflicting testimony
concerning the latters alleged drunken
ness. In many respects Maenche was a
good man. He knew the laundry business.
but he was not as capable in an executive
capacity as could be desired
The superintendent said that he could
rot conceive of two men-one at the head
OF the business affairs of the institution
and the other at the head of the scientific
work-getting along together. This propo-
sltion was bad one in hospital admins
tration.
Three carriages, two horses and two auto
mobiles were furnished for the superintend-
ent's use He further had one servant in
his apartments and a cook. His meals
were served sepaI tely.
DO you use butter or oleomargarine?' in
qulred Representative Wallace.
IL have never had an ounce of butter on
my private table since / have been at the
hospital" replied the doctor.
DIR. White opposed the proposition to re-
lieve the superintendent of administrative
authority. Clashes would result. he insisted
Stree he took charge of the hospital, DR..
White said he had created the important
clinical dicertor."
Patients Better Fed Than Elsewhere. |
I'm our institution the patients have bet
ter food than In most other institutions
for the insane" said Dr. White. They
get better clothes and better care We do
not have the pauper insane Many of our
patients have served the country and the
country takes cares of them in good style"
Representative Wallace questioned Dr.
White concerning the details of old SOL
diers' funds. The superintendent testl-
mony along this line was largely technical
DR. White explained certain liberties that
had been allowed to various patients on
Maple, Poplar and Sycamore wards, as
the reasons therefore.
How much were you absent from the
asylum in 1862" asked Representative
Wallace
Il don't know" replied DR.. White. very
little. however. l have never taken
days sick leave and have never taken all
my annual leave
What reason can you give for the re-
ported scarcity of sugar at the institution
lately2" asked Mr.. Wallace.
Il can say" replied the superintendent, |
that we use more sugar each year at 81
Elizabeth than is used at the Manhattan
State Hospital. where they have l'ooo more
patients"
II have never had deficiency at the in
stitution." continued the superintendent. i
take the position that OF Congress gives me
administration to not have a deficiency
The chairman OF the House appropria- |
tions committee would like TO tell that to |
the naval affairs committee suggested |
Chairman Oleott
Yesterday Afternoons Session.
At the session of the committee yesterday |
afternoon DR.. White continued his testi- |
mony OF the morning.
II refute any charges Of cruelty, and any |
other charges that may have been brought |
against my administration" he said.
According to law said Dr. White. "one-
sixth OF all pension money is set aside for |
the personal use Of the pensioner The bal
ance goes to dependent relatives. and por-
ton TO the support Of the pensloner."
Dr. White described the status of pension
ers. and the manner OF discharging them /
from the asylum.
His testimony was technical and went to |
show that old soldiers are not kept at the |
Institution after being cured. or IL any out |
side responsible persons will agree to take |
proper care of them. Witness declared that |
the process is absolutely regular and Is pur- |
sued for the benefit of the old soldiers
Thousands OF dollars belonging to old !
soldiers are now in the hands of the Wash |
ington Loan and Trust Company. as guar |
dams for pensioners. and we cannot get 1t.
said Dr. White.
ut is not being used for the benefit of the |
pensioner. and 1t Is not going to the support |
OF the ASYLUM. AS far as l know. there is |
no way to get hold of this money,
The trust company has the use of this |
money all this time. and II the old soldier
dies without Immediate relatives there Is
nothing to prevent these thousands of dol
lars going into the general assets OF the
trust company.
Mr.. olcott's Question.
do you mean to say that there are at this
time in the asylum pensioners of this gov
eminent who cannot get their money from
this trust company" asked Representative
Olcott.
Yes. sir, answered DIR. White. BY a
law affecting insane pensioners. the Wash
ington Loan and Trust Company assumes
certain responsibility with reference to this
money and declines to turn II over to me
1 do not know how we can get H. unless
Congress passes law requiring such pay
Inents."
Representative Hay cited a case where
one pensoner, with an estate amounting
TO 500 was charged SG5 by his regularly
appointed guardian for arranging the mat
:ers pertaining to the estate.
Don't you think this is unfair to the Old
SOLDIER? asked Mr.. Hay
We'll" responded DR.. White, the fee