The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-06-03
HOSPITAL CASE TO
Be OPENED AGAIN
chairman Bavis of Former
Probe Committee Brings
Question to Council.

+ Tonight the following communica-
ftion will be presented to council by A.
imittee appointed by council to inves-
tigate conditions existing at the Reid
Memorial hospital:
Gentlemen: II the committee ap-
pointed to investigate the affairs OF
the Reid Memorial hospital has not
been officially discharged I should be
glad to have the stenographic notes,
containing the evidence of witnesses
examined, now in the possession of the
City Clerk, turned back to me SO the
committee can be reconvened, with
the end in view of giving the fullest
publicity to such evidence.
Mr.. Rupe, as representing the Board
of Trustees, has felt justified in offer
ing some criticisms to our findings
and recommendations with an inferen
tial charge of unfairness on our part.
In SO far as Mr.. Rupe states that
the Board of Trustees was Gin the
dark regarding the intentions of Mr..
Dan G. Reid to pay for the installing
of the laundry until after the COM
munication accompanying the request
for an appropriation of 100000 for
the same purpose was presented to
your honorable body, I, as chairmen
of that committee believe the public
is entitled to the evidence covering
that point, which will show that they
We're not Gin the dark" but, on the
contrary, in possession of Mr.. Reid's
intention for more than year prev
ious.
1t has come to my knowledge that
the Importance of the committees
Recommendations have been minimiz-
ed as a result Of my inferior social
standing in life and in fairness to
myself, respectfully ask that the
evidence be given to the public that
to what extent, or bearing, a mans
social standing has on the question
of veracity
Entitled To Evidence.
Mr.. Rupe further states that they
(the board) have not knowingly"
with intent" refrained from taking
the city into their confidence. The
public is entitled to such evidence as
will establish beyond all doubt, that
they were not only conscious of not
sharing their condolences with the city
in matters involving the finances of
the institute, but had repeatedly re-
ferred to the fact at different times
in their board meetings. I make this
statement on the authority of Mr..
RUPEES reply to the charge at the
Joint conference of your committee
and members of the board.
I would further ask your honorable
body for such additional evidence ad-
duced, subsequent to the submitting
of our report, that justifies the fire.
quent changes in your vote as whole
on it's acceptance, and particularly to
cause the three councilmanic repre-
sentatives who served on that commit
tee to vote against their own recon-
.mendations.
It is not my purpose to ask the
council to add further variety to the
ridiculous situation by again revers-
ing their previous actions, though it
would be quite illuminating to know
on what grounds previous reversals
were based.
Why The Reversal?
It would add further interest to the
situation If this committee was inform
ed why a resolution prepared in the
office of Mr.. Rupe and by Mr.. Rupe
nv Wy - \
notwithstanding the irregularity of it's
presentation, be given such weight
and consideration as to cause re-
versal of three previous votes on the
same question.
If Mr.. RUPEES careful guardianship
of the interest of the people is suf-
ficient, T such confidence can be
shown jistifying the acceptance OF his
suggestions irrespective of the COM
: mittees recommendations, why was
the committee appointed?
In tie light of what has transpired
since ne report was up for considera-
ton Think the public are entitled to
know from you, Mr.. Mayor. why you
purpoely absented yourself from that
meetig.
If ! was, and is your intention to
practise deception on the people re-
gardig the conservation Of their in
teres at the hospital, you made the
mistike of your life If you anticipated
my becoming a possible tool to such
ends,
Respectfully,
A. BAVIS.