The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-03-28
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Report of Commission Which Inves-
tigated Their Condition.
MANY REFORMS ARE SUGGESTED

Declares Institutions Are Ancient and
Totally Inadequate to Properly Care
For the Nearly Fifteen Thousand In
mates.
Harrisburg. Pa. March 26. - The
commission appointed by the leglsla-
ture of 1905 10 investigate the manage
ment of Pennsylvania institutions for
the insane submitted its report to the
general assembly. The commission In
summarizing its report says 1t finds
that the housing or custodial care OF
the insane in the institutions support
ed by the state is totally inadequate
and inefficient because OF the ancient
construction of buildings and their
crowded condition; that those respon'
siblo for the treatment and care OF
nearly 5000 inmates OF these insti-
tutions have not kept pace with the
highest medical skill and science; that
the laws and decision fixing the re-
sponsibility of relatives and others for
the support of the inmates have not
been enforced. In consequence OF which
the counties have not been reimbursed
I'm many thousands OF cases. and the
state has not been reimbursed for
moneys amounting to hundreds OF
thousands OF dollars paid for their
maintenance. and which should have
been repaid by the estates Of inmates
or relatives responsible under the law.
To remedy these evils the commits
sion presented to the legislature a
number OF bills with its report. They
provide for the reorganization OF the
state board OF charities for the pur.
pose of a more thorough control and
supervision OF institutions. provide ior
the collection from the estates Of in
mates or those responsible for their
care In order 10 reimburse the state
and the counties for the expenses OF
their maintenance, 10 permit the en-
plovment of inmates Of institutions 10
manufacture articles used in such in
stilutions. TO provide for the expedi-
tious appointment OF guardians OF the
estates OF the insane, and to provide
| for the amendment OF the act regard
ing the commitmprr of inebriates and
others addicted to the use of drugs,
etc. 10 hospitals. 50 as to transfer the
power of commitment from magis-
trates and justices of the peace to the
courts of quarter sessions.
Continuing. the commission says
There were on September so, 1906,
14.2S3 insane persons OF all sexes To-
Gated in the different state and county
care institutions OF the state OF Penn
sylyania.
statistics show an increase at
about the rate of 500 year"
The commission describes in detail
the conditions found in the several in
stitutions investigated. much of which
was published AT the time they were
investigated. and then takes up the
matter of reorganizing the state board
Of charities The commission says that
when the board was created in 1869
It might have been the best system OF
control which at that time could have
been conceived. but 1t is now In no
way constituted to properly care for
and treat the insane under modern
methods. The commission suggests
legislation fer the continuance OF the
board as an advisory body 10 an officer
appointed by the governor, in whom
shall lodge by law power 10 act. with
proper compensation paid for his ser
vices. and authority 20 employ such
help as is required.