The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-09
NURSES IN WORDY BATTLE IN
 CHARITIES BOARD HEARING
JUST TOUCH OF GOSSIP THROWN IN TO EN-
 LINEN PROCEEDINGS
Conflict of Authority at Tuberculosis Hospital Leads to Visit of Head of Department to Institution to straighten Out Affairs Father Gomph the Instiga tor of Trial of Miss Crystal.

Reno had nothing on the big bat tie at the Police & Charities building yesterday afternoon when Agnes Cry stal, a heavyweight, and Frances Ladd, a bantam, got into the ring for dozen spirited rounds with the board of charities for ringside spec tators
 If there had been a motion pie ture machine on hand, it would not have suf11ced to give an accurate re- production, for the contestants ex- hibited speed that would have dis tanced the film machine. The steno- grapher who tried to follow them had to stop to mop his brow and plead with them to take it easy. Agnes waS there to defend herself of accusations of negligence in the maintenance of the Tuberculosis hospital at Lakeview home where she is in charge, and Frances was on hand to show up Agnes as a very negligent and indifferent sort of per not be known until the board of charities gets together again on the evening of July 22, to weigh the testimony.
 Agnes had Frances against the ropes with terrible body blow that very plainly staggered the pretty lit tie nurse, when she suddenly deviat- ed from her questioning as to the facts in issue and demanded to know who the married man was who was driving her around in his automobile, that MT. B."
 My private affairs have nothing to do with this matter" said Miss Ladd, as she spared for time to re- cover.
 .Oh yes. they have.' exclaimed fo1 ent's very apparent discomf7ture.
 No" began Miss Ladd, gently but firmly.
 Well. I know who he is," resum- ed Miss Crystal, while President Kane, Commissioners Behrens and
 Foster tried vainly to quiet the now thoroughly wrought up woman. I'll tell the reporters" almost yelled Miss Crystal. There is no knowing how far Miss Crystal would have gone had she not been suppressed by the com missioners.
 sworn statement alleging shocking conditions at Lakeview Home had
 been read to Miss Crystal, and the nurse at the hospital demanded. to
 have an opportunity to question her
 accuser. The charities board sum- hearing began just before o'clock, and besides the three commissioners, Commissioner Somers being absent, there were present former Alderman Lashar,, Superintendent Cowles of Lakeview Home. Sister Dorothy of the Trinity Episcopal church. Clerk O'Neil of the board. an occasional policeman who strolled past the open door to catch feeting glimpse of the women antagonists, and others.
 It was alleged that Miss Crystal was in the habit of going away from the hospital frequently for many hours at time. that she neglected the bed clothing, that she allowed a patient to die alone. that she cut down the SUD- ply of eggs for patients, and that the electric bell system had been neglect ed
 In the hearing it developed from the
 statement of Judge Kane that Rev. Father Gomph was the author of the charges against the nurse He had reported that conditions were bad at the Lakeview Home, and when pressed for the source of his information re- ferred the president of the board to Miss Ladd. She is employed by the Visiting Nurse Association to go about the city visiting homes where tuber- culosis has crept in.
 Miss Ladd disclosed the charges to which she later took oath, at her first interview with Judge Kane. When
 examined yesterday she admitted that most of her information was gathered
 from what she had been told by oth- CTS, and said the one who knew most of the alleged neglectful conditions
 was Mrs. Dacey. who was dead The tuberculosis pavilion is divided