The Washington herald., 1907-09-21
WILL ORDER INQUIRY
Mcfarland Promises InyeSti-
CATION of Asylum.
PUBLIC CHARGES ARE MADE
Accusation that Patients Go from
Washington Asylum Hospital to
St. Elizabeth's Are to he Looked
Into-COmmittee Net SeIected-May
Be Same One Rs Before.

Commissioner Macfarland announced
yesterday that he will Immediately order
a second investigation of conditions at
the Washington Asylum Hospital
This decision was reached as the re-
suit of the submission of charges to the
effect that since the original inquiry into
the affairs Of the hospital, four patients
with vermin upon their persons had been
received by the Government Asylum for
the Insane from that institution.
The personnel of the second investigat-
ing committee has not yet been decided
upon. Commissioner Macfarland ex-
P. Nell and DIT. George NJ Kober. who
conducted the first investigation, will
again be able 10 aid in that capacity.
The specific charges are 10 the effect
that the following persons were received
at the Government Asylum for the IN
sane with vermin upon their persons:
Leila Devine. received June %, 1907; Hattie
Miller, received July ., 1907; Alonzo Jack
son. received July 81. 1907, and Josiah
Ingraham, received September 6. 1907.
VIII Ask Inquiry.
I shall Immediately refer these charges
to the Board of Charities with request for
a prompt investigation" said Commits
sioner Macfarland.
ANY other charges that may be made
Will be treated in the same way. I am
sure that the investigation will be as
thorough and as sitting as was the former
one, and any one who reads the former
report viii be satisfied that it was ex-
haustive.
The members Of the Board OF Chari-
ties, serving without pay, have done in
valuable work for the District in the su-
peTvision Of our public charities and de-
serve the thanks, as they have the con-
fdence. I believe of the community. No
better men could be found for investiga-
ton than Mr.. Nell and DR.. Kober. Their
report was approved by the entire Board
Of Charities, then consisting, besides them
selves, Of John Joy Edison, Simon Wolf,
and George Willis Cook. hope that Mr..
Neill and Dr. Kober VIII be able 70 make
the new investigation"
Reason for silence.
Asked why the former report OF the
7.
farland said,
The report Of the investigation was not
published because there had been no pub
lie charges, and because it exonerated
the authorities of the Washington Asy-
lum, and, therefore. no action was taken
by the Commissioners. None of the Com
missioners suggested that any action
should be taken or that the report should
be published.
The new charges having been publicly
made, the report Of the new investigation
will, of course, be published.
Personally, 1 accepted without ques-
ton the results Of the detailed investiga-
ton made by Mr.. Neill and DR.. Kober.
1 have learned nothing since TO shake my
belief in the correctness Of their conclu-
sions. On the contrary, from time TO
time, I have had information showing
that the superintendent Of the Washing
ton Asylum Hospital. L. F. Zinkhan, is
maintaining conditions in the hospital as
satisfactory as those reported.
Only yesterday, John Joy Edison. pres
ident; Myer Cohen. member. and George
). Wilson. SECRETARY Of the Board OF Char
tiles, without, Of course. any official
knowledge that there would be any pub
lcation on the subject in the evening.
made one Of their unexpected official vis-
its TO the Washington Asylum, and found
the hospital. as l am informed, in excel
lent condition.
But, of course these charges must be
Investigated, and if any discipline is need
ed II will be promptly applied. ] ought
TO add that the Government Hospital for
the Insane, although asked by the Board
Of Charities at the time of the last in
vesigation 10 notify it promptly OF any
new case of a patient arriving in an un-
cleanly condition. has sent no notice of
such occurrence"