The San Francisco call., 1910-03-12
CONGRESS MAY ACT
IN HOSPITAL CASE
Sailors Union Head Declare:
Thorough Investigation
Must Be Made

Having been informed of the facts
connected with recent occurrences at
the United States marine hospital which
had given cause for grieyous COM
plaint. Andrew Furuseth, president of
the international seamen's union, an
nounced yesterday on his arrival from
Washington that the demand for an
investigation would he pressed until
definite remedial results had been OBJ
tanned. That the request for an in
stigation had already been brought
to the attention of United States SEN
ator Perkins as a preliminary step was
the statement of the head of the sail
ors organization.
Although determined to secure the
investigation by congress, if necessary.
Furuseth expressed the belief that
Surgeon General Walter Wyman would
institute an inquiry.
TALKS WITH DOCTOR WYMAN
Il discussed the matter of grievous
complaints at the marine hospital un-
der Doctor Gassaway's regime with the
surgeon general" said Furuseth yes
terday, ''and he promised me that he
would give the matter his attention.
He said that he was watching San
Francisco, so that / received the i'm
preston that he had at least given the
ever / could not help being convinced
that Doctor Wyman was inclined to
lean too much to the side of the doe
tors.
I'VE want to give Doctor Wyman
every chance to settle this matter,
which is in his department. but have
already taken a preliminary step to
secure action in case the just COM
plants against intolerable conditions
at the institution are not given full
consideration.
while was in Washington I
brought the matter to the attention of
United States Senator Perkins and he
displayed deep interest. He Is
powerful member of the committee on
appropriations, before which this ques-
ton would be taken up, and has al
ready in his possession some of the
documentary evidence on which con-
gressional investigation will be insu-
tuted if such a step is found neces-
sary.
INSISTS ON INVESTIGATION
II do not want to be understood as
stating this in threatening manner
toward the surgeon general but mere
ly as an outline of the action we IN
tend to take to have conditions SO re-
formed at the San Francisco marine
bosnital that the institution will ac-
comnlisb the laudable purposes for
which it is maintained by the govern
ment. | hope that DR.. Wyman VIII see
the Justice of the many complaints aho
order an investigation which Will hot
he a perfunctory whitewashing. put II
he does not do so within reasonable
time I will return to Washington anu
taLe the matter up before the cong.
sional committee Our fight IN the des
islative body win not be OF the laa'
Years birds nest variety. 10 use ~
cossawav.s expression, but VIII oe
sunnorted by some of the aoies'
in congress.
"Dr. Gassaways fippant manner OF
Astonishing the complaints or seaiheii
against brutal maltreatment and nes-
lot of the sick is an indication or ms
unftness for the prominent position ne
holds in the service, and will also De
brought to the attention OF thc au-
thorities. His conception OF the ma
rine hospital service as an INSTITUTION
maintained for the purpose OIL PdSins
him a salary is typical.
I'm the interest of humanity tiiis NJ
vestigation must be made.
Furuseth expressed satisfaction with
the result of his labors at the national
canital in behalf of maritime legisla-
ton.
EaUALIZING STATE TAXES AT the Common
nIrh1 1tnN n