Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-07
BOARD OF VISITORS
All Give Testimony Favorable
to DR.. White
IN THE ASYLUM INQUIRY
Before the House Special Committee
Today.
ATTORNEY CHARLES POE
Tells of Difficulties He Had With
Authorities at ST. Elizabeth
in O'Keefe's Case.

Members of the board OF visitors of the
Government Hospital for the Insane testi-
fed today before the Ocott special commit
tee. Charles Poe. a local attorney. who had
some difficulty with the asylum authorities.
was also heard. In the main the testimony
was very favorable to Dr. White. particu-
IarIy that of Dr. Magruder one of the
board of visitors
Board of Visitors.
Dr. Gunuell, president of the board of WIS.,
.tors of the asylum, was the first witness
before the committee today. He said the
board met. according to statute. twice a
year. but, owing to other circumstances
generally held four or five meetings year.
In addition to this Il Subcommittee of the
board visits the asylum the first Tuesday
In every month. and an executive sub
committee met quarterly 70 audit the ac-
counts OF the institution. Or. Gunneli then
paid a high tribute to DR.. White superin-
tendcnt OF the institution. for his admins
traitor OF the hospital
Our iuSrcCtinS subcommittee of three
visits the asylum every month and receives
reports from the superintendent. 1t then
visits a portion OF the buildings or grounds.
Since the buildings have become SO numer-
Gus it is impossible for the whole board to
inspect tho place. And. as | say, our IN
specting subcommittee visits each month
only q portion of the buildings and GROUNDS.
We cannot inspect the Kitchens as we
used to do Although the board made a
careful investigation. it has not been able
To- find any startling faults in the instItu-
tiIc-
other Members Testify.
Mrs Gardner Hubbard Of Twin Oaks, a
member OF the board, followed Dr. Gunnell.
She went to the asylum every three months
and Endorsed Dr. Gunneus statements with
respect to the hospital. Judge w a. Maury,
member OF the board for twenty years,
read a long statement tending to show that
under Dr. Whites administration, as be-
fore the board of visitors had rigidly su-
pervised the institution He euloglzed Dr.
Gunnell as president of the board, asserting
that the latter really "coadjutor-su-
perintendent' of the institution. The work
OF the board. he thought should but be es-
t.mated by the number of words ''perambu-
lated" Neither did he believe that the
ground round" OF the institution by the
board was the most important part of the
work Judge Maury reviewed the work Of
the board Tor the twenty years of his con-
necticu with it, claiming that in all that
time the board had done its work quietly
and effectively. He called the committees
attention to the fact that If abuses existed
at the hospital they would certainly be
on exhibition during the period Of the
boards visit.
In reply to Representative Hay, Judge
Maury said he had no objection TO the es-
enlistment OF a lunacy commission in the
District of Columbia. II had occurred to
him. however, that il might not be a bad
thing to have the institution examined
when the hospital authorities didn't expect
It This might restore the public confidence;
The board OF visitors. however would stll
have useful function to perform.
Good administration and large response
billty make it necessary that DIR. White
should have the power to appoint over 100
employees said Judge Maury In reply to
questions by Representative Hay. So far
as the fixing of salaries was concerned,
Judge Maury said that the superintendent
had to have the approval of the board.
Generals Moore and Wyman.
Surgeon Gen. John Moore. United States
army retired said ne had been member
of the board OF visitors for nineteen years.
Each member visited the hospital about
four times a year. lie had been doing that
for nineteen years Previously. the board
had gone through all the wards but since
the erection of the new buildings. this had
not been done
Surgeon Gen. Walter Wyman of the pub
lie health and marine hospital service.
member of the board of trustees, said he
went to the institution six seven times
year, and heard frequently OF the asylum
from some Of his officers who visited or
were detailed there on scientific work of
investigation.
THE institution is fortunate to have DIR.
White as superintendent said DR.. Wy
man. His organization and administra-
tive work have been excellent He is.
moreover. a man of the right age. lie can
stand the strain of the position
Dr. Wyman didn't to express him
self on the subject OF a lunacy commission
without giving the matter more considera-
ton.
Referring again to inspectors Dr. Wy
man thought that il wouldn't be bad idea
to have the asylum Inspected at intervals
when the hospital authorities weren't ex-
peCting IT, He didn't care, however, to say
that 1t necessary in the case of the
government asylum
Dr. Magruder.
Or c. l. Magruder. member Of the board
since 1902, said he had been familiar with
the institution for many years He had
been appointed a police surgeon shortly
after his graduation from college. and had
10 commit to the asylum folks who come
70 Washington with notions in their heads.
lie had known DIR. Richardson very well,
AS he had often visited the Institution IN
that administration. Clinics were also held
over there Dr. Magruder said that DIR.
Whites credentials had secured him the
superintendency OF st. Elizabeth In short
order.
Il have nothing but praise for DR.. Whites
administration" said DIR. Magruder. II
have seen the food. l have eaten the food.
have been in every ward. There Is hardly
q nook and corner OF the Institution that
] haven't been I'm. Or. White has intro
duced many improvements; many OF the
modern methods of treating and caring for
the insane. DIT. Richardson introduced a
good many. but Or. White has gone far
beyond those
conditions In the asylum were the best he
had seen anywhere. He asserted
that Dr. White deserved great deal OF
credit for his splendid management of the
institution.
Referring 10 the relative treatment of the
insane In this country and elsewhere DIR.
AlaRruder declared emphat.caliy that
Americans do not now have TO GO 10 Eu-
POPE TO learn; Europeans can come here to
learn"
THAT refers to the treatment OF the in
zane as well the general practice of
nedicine?' inquired Representative Olcott
Yes sir replied DR. Magruder,
Disbursing Clerk Evans.
George w. Evans. chief of the division OF
bnance and disbursements OF the Interior
department followed DR. Magruder. He
had dlsbursed the money for the erection
of the new buildings at st. Elizabeth and
now had to look over DR.. Whites accounts.
Asked by Chairman Olcott as 10 his opinion
of the present financial system at ST. Eliza
beth, Mr.. Evans referred the committee TO
the last four annual reports of the Secre-
tary of the Interior. recommending that a
financial officer be attached TO the asylum