The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-28
THE MEMBERS INSPECT
 THE DINING HALLS
Inmates Who Are Examined Tell Con- ficting Stories as We'll as Those Who Have Been Examined
 On the Outside.


 hospital investigation committee again went out to the hospital building this morning. and continued it's labors in the building.
 All day yesterday the committee sat in the court house in the city, and the whole of the session was open to the public. However since it was desrous of further questioning some patients on ths various halls of the hospital for the purpose of determining the value of some of the previous testimony, and also for the purpose of making the investigation as thorough as possible, it was decided to abandon the court house.
 On account of the uncertainty and un- reliability of some of the testimony which patients, on account of the nature of their diseases, are wont to give in, and the possibility of injustice being done both the committee and the hospital au- thorities in this matter it was deemed be.t to again go into a private examina- tion of the witnesses. There were no out siders present at the meeting today as consequence.
 All of the committee was on hand, and the session was begun about 10 o'clock. In addition to the committee there were present Col. Sam Will John and Dr. Fohn Little treasurer of the institution; also Drs. Leland and Lanford of the hos pital corps of physicians. Most of the ex- animation for the committee was done by Chairman King, while Judge Chiffon did the ross-examination the part of the hospital authorities While there was considerable reliable information gained a result of todays work. perhaps the session was most interesting affording pathological study The committee, in the course of it's labors. has become quite well informed on the different classes of patients and the character of the diseases from which they suffer and each member is by this time more or less an alienist in some degree. Such being the case 1t Is of course fully sensible of the fact that testimony from such sources is to be taken cum grano sails; it is also realized at the same time that some very valuable information can be secured in this man. ner which could perhaps not be secured otherwise.
 Visits Dining Halls.
 The committee continued the examna- ton of witnesses up to the hour of F. the dinner hour for the patients. At this time. motion of the committee. ao- ourned for the purpose of visiting the dining halls of the institution while the patients were partaking of their midday meal. All the members were, therefore, escorted by the supervisors or physicians to the various dining halls and permitted to see just how and In what manner the patients were fed and their conduct on such occasions. When this inspection completed they repaired to the phy- sicians dining hall and had dinner them selves. The work of examination again resumed in the afternoon and con tinued through the day.
 One of the patients examined stated that some of the nurses whom he had observed on the wards were kind, nice men. but that others were cruel; that perhaps the majority of them were cruel men that a rule the patients physically afraid of the nurses.
 Turns Populite.
 Another went on to say that he had noticed some cruelty but however, that he didn't blame the nurses for they were certainly up against hard job; that wit ness thought a man had been killed though he didn't such thing; he said that he had noticed particular change in the management food in the past two or three months; that there was now and had been plenty of food. such as 1t was; that witness knew Dr. Searcy and had talked with him. but that since the latter had become a popu- lite he wouldn't listen to him much.
 Still another stated that there much cruelty on the wards; that he had wit messed lot of 1t and that he had him self suffered mistreatment; that the patti ents were afraid of the nurses and doc tors. that he, the witness, liked McDun; that he a nice and humane man; that he also liked Dr. Leland This wit ness stated that there had been much change in the conduct of the place and the food in the last month or so that he knew Harton when the latter was there; that he and Harton were great friends
 Another testified that he had never seen patient whipped or punished; that he had occasionally seen a little choking. none that amounted to anything, and that some of the patients were bound to have this some times; that the very men who were making the biggest com plaints were getting better food and treatment than they got at home; that he certainly got a plenty to eat.
 And so the stories went which goes to show that there are conflicts in the testi- mony of the sane and insane alike.
 The committee will in all probability remain here over tomorrow and continue to take testimony. On Thursday it will go to Birmingham, where 9 session will be held in that city for a day or so.