The San Francisco call., 1908-10-01
SEEK TO ABOLISH
VOWNCkEL'S RULE
Managers Of Woman's Hospital
Thrash Out Matter Behind
Closed Doors
Methods of Druggist Supplying
the Institution Also Se-
vereIy Criticised

The first skirmish over the manage
ment of the California womans hospi-
tai took place. yesterday, and. although
the engagement was lively throughout
the decisive battle wifi not be fought
until Tuesday The sensation Of the
day was the report filed by the investi-
eating committee in which the recon-
mendation was made that the business
affairs of the institution should be taken
out of the hands of DR.. /. W. No-
winckel. the surgeon in charge.
The meeting was a joint session OF
the lady managers and the trustees
held in the privacy of the directors
rooms The report of the special in
Vestigating committee was read in full,
but no action was taken upon II. 1t is
q long document and sets forth in de-
tail all the charges previously made
public and a number OF others beside
1t became apparent in the brief discus
sion that followed that DR.. Nowinckel
shas a number of friends in the hospital
management who viii resist any at
tempt TO curtadl his authority.
it. was announced yesterday morning
10 press representatives by Mrs. Nir-
ginis. Isenberg, president Of the board
Of lady managers, and ". II. Metson,
president Of the board Of trustees, both
of whom are earnest supporters of DR.
r. W. NOwinckel that newspapermen
would be excluded from the meeting
Metson ordered the press representa-
tives from the grounds of the hospital
At the conclusion OF the meeting a
statement signed by Mrs. Isenberg was
handed out. 1t simply said that a re-
port had been submitted and that no
action had been taken
CHARGES OF MRS. POWERS
The meeting was called to order by
". H. Metson at II O'Clock. and Mrs.
Laura Bride Powers, chairman of
the Investigating committee. imme-
diately commenced the reading of her
report. This procedure occupied al
most the entire time, there being hut
very little discussion. At one time when
the question Of extravaganza in the
purchasing Of drugs by the superin-
tendent OF nurses was referred to, DR.
NOwinckel attempted TO put through a
motion to bring into the meeting. Her
bert T. Dugan,s the pharmacist from
whom the goods were purchased at al
legged exorbitant figures. He was. un-
successful, although the druggist was
seen in the corridors of the hospital: :
At this juncture a sensation was
sprung by Mrs, Powers in the form: of
confidential notice to druggists
which accompanies the drug catalogues
published by wholesale houses. This
set forth that discount of 25 per
cent from the list prices was allowed
TO the trade. Mrs. Powers charged that
when Dugan appeared before the~board
Of lady managers a week previous she
had removed this notice from the acata2
logue Ire used to justify his prices. A
list OF prices was also submitted show
ing that reputable druggists Of the
city would. supply the hospital with
drugs at much lower prices than Dugan
has been charging for the same article.
After discussing other charges Of ex-
travagance and mismana cement the re-
port contains a number of recommended
tons. 1t strongly urges the amending
Of the constitution in the Following re-
spects: So as TO take all business and
financial affairs out Of fhe hands of
the surgeon. in charge and have them
administered by a superintendent ap-
pointed by and. responsible to the board
of lady managers; also to throw the
hospital open TO all reputable physi=
aians and end the present monopoly.
ATTACKS DR. VOWINCKEE
This recommendation strikes directly
at the power. of Dr. Tewinckel, who
has dictated the affairs of :fhe institu-
ton for l6 years. That it VIII be bit
terly opposed by the members of the
board friendly TO the surgeon is well
known, but those who are trying to
place the institution on a paying basis
are sanguine of carrying the resolu-
tion at the next meeting. The latter
faction viii have the support Of the
largest creditors of the institution.
An attempt was made last evening TO
secure a statement concerning the mat
ter from Mrs. Powers. but she declined
10 discuss the investigation. Mrs. Isen-
berg and Mrs. King also refused to dis
cuss what transpired at the meeting
pleading agreement to keep silent
Those present at the9 meeting were:
Mrs. Virginia r. Isenbergs Mrs. Laura
Bride Powers Mrs. NJ. Ae.Detels, Mrs
Charles Elliott. Mrs. James Shea, Mrs
j. "a. Scott, Mrs. Hatch. Mrs. King OF
Oakland W. II. Metson. J.ssJ. Lermen,
Alfred Anderson, John Hopper, Rudolph
Herold and Charles A. Givens.
1t was learned yesterday that one OF
the largest creditors Of the hospital is
The firm Of Goldberg. Bowen & Co.
which has a claim Of $1,5e2. Other
claims Of butchers and different trades
people bring the total to very nearly
$4,000. Several Of the creditors are
willing 10 grant extensions of time OF
condition that they receive some assur-
ances Of a reorganization of the busi-