Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-15
CENSURE SYSTEM
At COUNTY FARM
Grand Jury Report Shows Much
Room for Improvement
at AImshouSe

Serious abuses in conducting the Los
Angeles county poor farm were brought
to light yesterday with the turning in
of the report of the grand jury, one Of
which was the Withholding of monthly
wages from the inmates by the superin-
tendent, which was called to the atten-
ton Of the supervisors, who made the
appointment and have full power to
deal with the case. Brutal treatment
Of insane patients has also been found.
The investigating body went on rec
ord as not approving the practice of
paying the inmates except by giving
them lodging, board and clothing. 1t
has been the practice of employees to
sign in blank the demands for wages
and swear to them before the superin-
tendent, who, as deputy county clerk,
Is empowered to administer oathS. The
grand jury advises that this power Of
the superintendent be revoked and con-
ferred only on a person appointed to
supervise the accounts of the superin-
tendent. The report reads:
RECOMMEND CHECKING SYSTEM
I'VE find that the bookkeeping is far
from satisfactory, and that no system
worthy Of the name is employed. No
check on any of the products shipped
is kept, and only on few articles sent
to the farm. We recommend that strict
checking system be inaugurated at
once, and that a bookkeeper be placed
in charge at a salary not exceeding $75
a month, with board and lodging, whose
duty it shall be to keep track of every
article shipped to and from the farm.
The loose methods now prevailing are
such as to offer opportunities not only
for the commission of dishonest acts,
but also for their concealment.
"a recommendation is made that the
superintendent make settlement with
the county treasurer at stated inter-
walls, and not allow funds to accumu-
late in his hands; also that the audit
or turning in receipts for money re-
ceiVed from the farm be more explicit
as to items covered"
The cost of maintaining the inmates
of the county farm from July 1, 1908,
to December 81, 1909, was $59,S11.48.
The cost of operating the farm for the
same period was $24,246.51, making a
total of $S4,057.99. The amount received
from county products was $47,766.97,
leaving a net cost to the county of
$36, ,291.O2.
The grand jury also found that large
sums had been spent for supplies at re-
tail prices, principally for hardware
and plumbing, which appeared exorbi-
tant, and it recommended that in fu-
ture supplies of all kinds be bought on
the competitive plan; also that the
plumbing be inspected and in many in
stances replaced.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENTS
Jewelry and money left in the hands
of the superintendent, which the public
refused to accept, it rec
be turned over to the county
treasurer for relatives and heirs of the
deceased. Better bathing accommoda-
tions, a new dining room, modern
heating system and more sanitary floors
are recommended. Individual sleeping
rooms for patients who disturb those
in the open wards and fireproof one
story buildings are recommended.
The grand jury, in view of the growth
Of the county and increase of inmates
at the farm, recommend that an addi-
tional fifty-two acres now cutting into
the farm grounds and preventing them
forming a quadrangle be purchased
now, If the plan can be secured at
fair market value.
The report also reads:
"Our attention has been called to GER
tain alleged abuses on female inmates
of the county hospital and farm on the
part of attending physicians. In order
to remove suspicious inferences from
attending physicians, and to prevent
repetition of similar charges, we strong
lv recommend that in all the county
all examinations and ope-
rations on female patients be con-
Quoted in every instance in the pres
ence of a female nurse.
From trustworthy evidences we are
led to believe that in some instances at
the county farm patients have had
cause to complain of brutal treatment.
We are justified in saying that the
made against the male
nurses in charge of the insane ward
appear to be well founded A more
efficient superintendence of the farm
would long ago have resulted in the
discharge Of such an employe."