Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-05-29
FARM FAILED TO SUPPLY PRODUCE.
Steward Explains Conditions as They
Exist in His Department 1.4oo Bis
cults are Made for the Many In.
Whiskey Evaporates While
in Store Room.
Especial to the Daily Press. )


DIR. Mcclure Williams who was sue
ceeded by DR.. Henderson as assistant
physician at the Eastern state Hos
pital who came in for much criticism
In regard to ducking the patients will
he defended by the faculty of the Uni
versity College of Medicine of which
ne was Il graduate.
DR.. Ed Mcclure aud Dr. r. C. Bry-
an, professors In that college ut their
own suggestion, will he summoned TO
testify.
Looks After the Old Soldiers.
Mrs. Norman Randolph of Rich
mond. president of the auxiliary of
Lee Camp Soldiers Rome was at the
asylum today looking after the com
fort of tie old soldiers sent there rs
Insane. She WAS indignant at the
charge that they were only weak and
feeble and ought not to be there She
said she knew of her avn personal
knowledge that they were insane and
that 1t was the proper place for them.
Owing to Il washout OH the railroad
Chairman Sadlcr did not reach VIII.
liamsburg untils about noon and the
session was short. In the course Of
the investigation today, Steward Ar
chic Brooks was questioned about the
conduct of the asylum farm
Farm is Too Small.
Archie Brooks. steward of the insti-
tuition. was the first witness called
this morning. lie was examined as to
the facilities in the hospital for keep.
ing vegetables, milk etc. He said the
facilities were ample for the needs of
the hospital. In regard to the hospital
farm, Mr.. Brooks said there were
about us acres Of arabic land in the
farm. on which was raised vegetables
for the patients.
Cows are also kept, which provide
the hospital with milk, and sometimes
veal. In Mr.. Brooks opinion the farm
was very profitable adjunct to the
hospital. The hogs killed last year
furnished the hospital with 10000
pounds of meat. Last years report
shows that the value of the farm pro.
ducts over the cost of production was
over $4,000 In this report 1t was
shown that milk was valued at 25
cents gallon. Six thousand gallons
Were used. The $4,000 pounds OF pork
was valued ut & cents Il pound.
Puts Blame On the Farmer.
Mr.. Brooks said it was impossible
to raise, besides the vegetables, corn
and hay enough for The hogs and cat
tie, because of the size Of the farm.
Much of this is bought which makes
the farm expenses greater He said
he was not willing to bear the full re-
sponsibilty of the farm, because n
farmer had charge of it who reported
all matters to the superintendent His
duties were to receive aud credit all
farm products and to supply the farm
er with what he needed.
MIR. Brooks said in regard TO the pa
tients having only Two pieces of cold
bread for breakfast, that enough flour
was issued daily to make pi 400 bis
cults. and If they did not get them. It
was the fault of the supervisor. He
said enough food was issued daily to
feed all of the patients, and 1t was
not his fault If they did not get
enough.
Patients Are Not Paid for Work.
Some patients are worked on the
farm, others in the wards and around
the grounds. These patients never re-
ceive any compensation for their ser
-
the services required would cost more
than the per capita appropriation. The
case in point is that of patient who
has worked for Twenty-Five years in
the carpenter shop. His services are
worth $3.50 day He has never re-
"a Gelyed. a cent compensation more than
! the cost of keeping him, which is put
at $3.50 yeas.
Mr.. Brooks said. in defense OF this.
that the patients seemed to be glad
to work and he did not believe they
would take money for their work.
s Bread Wasted.
MIR. Brooks said in regard to the
daily issue of flour that Mhen he first
took the position of steward he MOTTO
ed that a great deal Of bread was
( wasted. The daily ration was cut
down on this account, and since then
no waste has been observed
In regard to biscuit Mr. Brooks said