The Washington times., 1906-05-11
Another Day of Startling
Testimony inS ST. Eliza
beth'S Hearing.
ALL WORKING OVERTIME
Witness Stated That Inmates
Were Subjected to Unfair
Treatment.

Ihat the nurses and employees az
the Government Hospital for the In
sane have to work twelve and four
teen hours a day, thirty-fve Sun
days IN the year, and five ont of
the seven legal holidays in a year.
although they are regularly classs-
fed under civil service. was the tes-
timony given today by F. L. Sid
dons, Washington attorney, before
the special Congressional commit
tee investigating st. Elizabeth's.
Mr. Siddons also stated that,
owing TO the Presidents recent
order prohibiting civil service su-
ployes from appealing to Congress
for promotions or increases in sal
ary, these asylum employees could
not come before Congress to ask
for more employees at the asylum
or for betterment OF their own
condition.
Additional testimony was given
by other witnesses that the num-
Der OF attendants at the asylum is
far too small Statements we're also
made to show that patients are
cruelty treated, and that Foreman
Maencher, in the laundry, had been
drunk while on duty.
One witness testified that a pa-
TENT had been struck on the head
by another patient. the blow re-
sulting in restoring the first mans
sanity Up to that ime he had
been real crazy"
The attitude Of the committee Is s1cf,
that, unless Dr White. superintendent
Of the institution. makes an unusually
good showing when he takes the stand
In his own defense, IL win bring in a
report adverse 10 the management Of
the place II is further believed that
the board OF visitors Of the institution
viii not escape mention
Mrs Della N Snyder. the first witness.
said she had frequently visited the as--
lum last summer for three or fotir
months She had q daughter there who
was treated well so far as she knew.
Mrs. Snyder. however, said she had
seen a large girl throw an old woman
against the wall. Both were inmates.
but two women attendants were there.
She had also seen a strait jacket put
on another girl She didn't know
whether such drastic action was neces-
sary.
Some of the Visitors.
The witness then stated that there
were persons in the ward she visited
who ought not to have been there. be-
cause this ward contained epileptics
who were shocked and whose feelings
were outraged by the language used by
some OF the old women
ASrs. Snyder had no complaint against
any Individual nurse. but thought tho
number OF attendants at the asylum
too few.
l. l. Siddons, 4 Washington attor-
ney, said he was at the asylum last
April. the day the board of visitors met.
He went there 10 appear before the
board, but was told that, as the legal
member OF the board was not present,
the matter 81 which he was interested
would haze TO be postponed
Witness explained he had been re-
tained by certain Of the nurses and at
tendants TO advise them as to their
rights to annual leave and to the pro-
frank TO state. ne said. that after an in
vsstigation, he is satisfied the eight
hour law does not apply TO the employees
at the asylum. He thought the thirty
day annual leave privilege did apply TO
the attendants
Il found out" said Mr.. Siddons, that
nurses and attendants at the asylum
are required TO work twelve and four
teen hours a day. thirty-five Sundays in
the year and five Of the seven legal ho.I-
days of the year. They are allowed
only fifteen continuous days Of absence.
They get no sick leave and. If they ara
sick their absence is deducted from
their pay.
And this is IN spite of the fact that
these people are regularly classified un-
der civil service. They have this vigor-
Gus treatment in spite Of having un-
usually irksome work TO do.
by the recent order Of the President.
they and all civil service employees are
strictly prohibited from seeking in any
way TO appear before Congress 10 ask
for more pay or promotions"
"Is il a fact" asked Representative
Smyser, that the operation Of civil
service is such as to paddock the mouths
Of civil service employees
i think So. said Mr.. SiddOns.
''Wen, il it operates that way" said
Mr.. Smyser. I'm willing to take a
knock at it
Patients Maltreated.
Louis Taylor, coIored. employed in
the asylum laundry. said he had seen
several patients maltreated in the laun-
dry. One man. Nike Linden, had been
cut over the shoulder with a wet towel
by Harry Sstterfieid-" Another pa
tent. Billy" Gregory. had been struck