The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-08


 commission therefore recommends that the grand jury of Tuscaloosa county fur ther investigate this case with a view of returning indictments against the pur- ties charged with this unlawful killing, if the evidence justifies it.
 Recommendations In Johnson Case.
 In reference to the Johnson case and the other cases before the commission, the members of the commission realize and appreciate the trying position in which they are placed in considering the testimony of the inmates of the institu- ton, and former patients, suffering with the form of insanity known as paranoia, and have been loath to base a finding upon such testimony unless circumstan- tially corroborated, or corroborated by the independent testimony of other witnesses, and therefore although direct charges are made against the nurses for violent and l inhuman treatment which resulted m 1 Johnson death, the commission IS or inc ! opinion and find that though mistreat- ment may have occurred. his death was not caused by abuse.
 ' A witness by the name of l.. NJ. Cornelius, q citizen of Tuscaloosa coun- tY. who was a former nurse at said in- stitution in 1896, testified before the commission that a nurse by the name of Montgomery told him, "I am going 
 also told the witness the name of the man which he had forgotten. The wit ness further testified that he saw Nurse Montgomery that evening late. about supper time, and the nurse told witness that he believed he had got him a man in ward No. g. and the witness asked the nurse, "Is he dead?" and the nurse replied Yes" The witness was on duty and testified that next morning before pr. Searcy and Dr. Faulk, who had charge of the west wing, went through the building, witness Cornelius went up on ward No. with his key and went into the cross hall and found man dead. This witness testified that the mans throat and breast were con siderably bruised. The commission recommends that this case be further investigated by the grand jury of Tus- caloosa county.
 The commission Investigated the case of Joseph Burka, from Bullock county, and as to this case there is evidence before the commission that he was severely maltreated and overworked on the day of his death, but the commits sion is unable to find that this mal- treatment and overwork caused his death.
 Means Increased Expenses. The commission is fully mindful that the recommenda tions made in this re- port will greatly increase the expense of maintaining this institution and we believe more liberal appropriation for this hospital to be a matter of imperative necessity. Under the eX- isting law the only support given these hospitals by the state Is an appro- priation not exceeding three dollars per week for each patient. Out of the fund thus appropriated must be paid all expenses for furniture, clothing. bedding, salaries, wages, fuel, lights, medicines, food, and including improve ments and new buildings (which are needed from time to time) and the many expenses incident to so large an institution, we therefore recommend that the maximum weekly allowance of three dollars for each patient should be increased by law to four dollars. In conclusion the commission has to say that in an institution of the magni- tude of the Bryce Insane hospital, 1t Is well night impossible that an occasional act of undue violence or maltreatment at the hands of a certain class or nurses that may find employment therein, will not occur, but 1t is the deliberate judg- ment of the commission that this is not due to neglect or inefficiency on the part of the superintendent and his starr of assistants and supervisors but rather due to the inability of the supervisor on ac- count of his many duties, to have an eye
 
 tablishment, and whatever may have oc- cured in the past, the members of the commission, with the recommendations herein recommended, feel it their duty to assure the people of Alabama that they have every cause to believe with tn present management, more thorough and vigilant supervision of the entire establishment will be had hereafter.
 The commission is of the opinion that tn. institution is one of the greatest and most valuable of its kind in the south, and indeed place where the people may safely entrust their afflicted and unfor tunate.
 In making this examination the com mission was furnished every facility need full for a proper and complete investiga- tion of everp department of this insti- tuition. All of which is respectfully sub mitted.
 JERE c. KING. Chairman.
 JOSEPH J. ARNOLD,
 H. F. REESE,
 WILLIAM N. HAYES,
 GASTON GUNTER.
 Will Meet in Chicago.