Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-04-02
OVERLOOK GRAFT
FLAYED BY GRAND
JURy'S REPORT
CONTINUED from First Page.)

copied in their official life that would
not be tolerated for an instant in
private or corporation business man
agement.
"As to the asylum at Overlook, there
is not only suspicion, but some evil
dence Of contractors, architects and
Others connected with the building of
that institution of being favored for
political and personal reasons. Plans
and specifications drawn for the laun-
dry were entirely at variance, n call
ing for a more expensive equipment
than the other. The company that
drew these plans and specifications
was also the successful bidder. The
copper lapp, or flashing, calls for ten
inches in the specifications. On No. l
building the lapp is as low as two
inches and on No. 2 building and adj
| ministration building there is also a
| shortage, and this in spite of the fact
| that the attention of those in charge
was called to this shortage in the re-
port made by Mr.. Drum, and the
county was paying architects and in
spectors to see that the work was
properly performed.
From evidence gathered on the
kitchen apparatus, we have discovered
that a machine differing from the one
specified has been substituted, which,
in our opinion, is inferior and should
have cost, according to original speci-
fcations, $425, whereas in fact the ma
chine cost but $3.50.
''There is also some evidence OF
failure to fulfill specifications as to
quantity and quality of material and
Workmanship in other details of the
constructions; the appointment OF IN
spectors failing to inspect, and failure
to support the asylum management by
retaining employees recommended foi
dismissal, after attempts to enforce
discipline have been made, and failure
to provide adequate equipment for the
building and needed clerical help fol
the superintendent in his many ano
exacting duties.
"The excuse offered by the superin-
tendent and the supervisor thnt poll
ties interfere with thcir doing their
full duty is In our Judgment no excuse
for conditions prevailing in the ipstitu-
tion ard ~ only another evidence of
their own weakness. II In evident 10
us that n change of personnel or
method or both in the management Oh
the institution should be mnde at once
The conditions which we have found
to exist in the institution arc due i'll
our judgment not alone TO the weak
ness of these officials, but 10 an extent
at least TO their wiifui neglect of duty
We cannot emphasize too strongly our
disapDroyaI of the retention of these
two officials In their present positions
The unsavory reports attending the
construction of the asylum and it's gen
eral management have, with reason
long been a stencil to the nostrils Of
the people of Essex. The instances OF
neglect and delay, of poor Judgment
of apparent non-feasance or malfeas-
ance, have been many n fragrant
some Of which this jury is debarred
in taking official c~ognizance of because
Of the statute of limitations, and also
because Of the evident difficulty of in
v~estigating in detail construction o.
building already completed and ac.
cepted.
Better Nurses Needed.
"Nc strongly urge that the former
policy of maintaining n suitable course
of study and training for the nurse,
in The institution he reestnbiisbed IL
the end that n high standard of elf
cheney he attained.
lit has been exceedingly difficult t.
place responsibility, it obviously being
for the interest of all disturbed by thu
investigation to stand together in con
cealing or ~excusing that which has no
-. --..4- T. F,I H.. "a 81 ,,-AIl III,
jury regrets that il is not able t.
further specifically locate misconduc
with those responsible.
I'VE further respectfully present that
with the work already done and testi
mony already taken as a basis. furthe
investigation and prosecution should b
made, to insure for the people of thi
county approximate value for none!
expended, and to bring to justice an!
and all guilty of neglect or misconduct
"In the meanwhile immediate meas
hres should be taken 10 remove tn
management of county institutions, ~
far as possible, from the influence o
partisan politics. The incapacity o
II bOnrd OF freehoidcrs ns now cOnsti
tuted, for institutional
has been demonstrated beyond perad
venture.
"A small body of expert men, who's
election or appointment and tenur
will depend upon special fitness an
quality of service given, would insur
for the c~heritable, philanthropic an
remedial work of the county far NOR
economical and efficient management
TO continue longer management alon
the lines followed for the last fey
years is II disgrace and reproach t
/, the body polite; to inaugurate
T change for the better is simple justic
alike TO taxpayers and the many help
less u~nfortunates whom they desire t
protect, as well as a duty to all man
kind.
zone of the most creditably con