The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-29
Intelligent Patients Testify That They Have Seen But
 Little Cruelty
SOME THAT THE TABLE
 HAS BEEN IMPROVED
Former Nurse H. G. Shepherd Says Asylum Is Better Conducted Than Others He Has Visited.
 Committee Adourns.

Tuscaloosa, August $.-(Special)--T hospital investigation cominttee had ah- other busy day here today the whole or the time up to 1 o'clock this afternoon being given to the examination of wit nesses. Nearly all of these were patients. but those possessed of considerable in- tellgence and their conversation in all re- spects were rational. except when cer- tain subjects that perhaps had 10 do with their peculiar mania were incidentally preached.
 The hearing was again held in the hos pital building, and the midday meal was taken out there by the committee. At o'clock an adjournment for fae day was taken, ard the committee repaired to the city to make ready for going up to Bir- mlnghan. They caught the 5:45 train for that city this afternoon, and will remain in Birmingham during the next two or three days
 It Is understood HOW that there will be no further testimony taken in this city by the committee, and that lext week will be given over to the hospital for the purpose of permitting the authorities to present such testimony as they choose in defense of the charges which haVs been preferred in some of the testimony heretofore taken.
 Days Work Begins.
 All of the committeeman were present at the hospital this morning and work was begun about 9:9o o'clock. Elm Dar- den of the shernl office here attended the committee. Part of the time mem bers of the corps of physleians at tho hospital were present during the examina- ton, but these were asked to withdraw whenever 1t was thought expeditions to have them do so.
 It seems that in practically all of the cases that nave come before the com mission the patients have insisted that t'ey were perfectly well and that there was no reason whatever for their being detained. In some cases il was admitted aS tho witnesses that they had st sone previous time been afflicted. had had de lusons. etc, but that right now they were well and were being restrained without cause.
 They all spoke freely of the treatment and the life they led and each one seemed 10 have right large circle of friends and acquaintances among the other patients.
 Que or two of the witnesses today stated that some Of the nurses were cruel in their treatment of patients; that ihe patients were afraid of them, and Winters and Holman were recited to be cruel whenever it Was agreed by wit nesses that any of them were cruel. One or two also stated that Che food had i'm proved some since the appointment of the commission; that lee was put on the tables now which had not been there heretofore, and that probably little more food was available.
 Another witness who was soon to be discharged stated that he had never re- ceived any mistreatment since being there; that he hated to come before the committee since he had been so well treated, that he had heard many more rumors about mistreatment than he had seen; that he had received sufficient food. Another patient who had spent much of him time on what has heretofore been said to be the most violent ward. said that he had not seen much cruelty, and that ne had no particular complaint 10 make.