Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-12-18
VISITORS SEE STATE FARM
And Hear an Interesting Address by
Doctor TomIinSon on the Aims
and Purposes of the In
Stituti0n.

At twelve O'Clock Saturday nearly
fifty autos owned by members Of the
Willmar Motor Club and attending
farmers were loaded with about one
hundred and fifty visitors for trin
to the State Hospital for Inebriates.
After arriving at the Hospital a
luncheon was served in the handsome
dining room Of the institution. While
the delegates we're satisfying the
physical man with the good things
provided to eat, DR.. II. A. Tomlinson,
Superintendent, made brief address
outlining what the hospital was and
what it hopes to accomplish. The
Doctor gave a review Of the prev
ious attempts made to establish pub
lie inebriate hospitals. Most Of them
have been failures, because they SIM
ply degenerated into penal institu-
tions where hopeless alcoholics were
committed because they were a bur-
den to some locality by reason Of be-
ing paupers or because Of commit
ting some petty crime. Minnesota
hopes to profit by the experience Of
others and the effort will be made to
make the institution Of benefit to
different communities Of the state by
curing and restoring to them as use
full citizens, men who have become
victims Of drink, but who wish to
reform. There are hundreds Of drug
cures available, but here along with
the medical attendance will go the
training of the patient under proper
supervision in some line Of industry
and systematic effort so as to res
tore his will power and equip him to
make a new start under better condl-
tions. This will take eight months
or more according to the needs Of the
individuals.
The Willmar hospital is the first
state institution where adequate
provision for the future has been
made from the beginning SO that no
matter how large it is likely to be-
come, there need be no rebuilding or
patchwork. The power plant is ade-
uuate to take care of the increased
number of buildings as they are
erected. The erection Of cottages for
the housing Of inmates will begin in
the spring. Each cottage will pro-
vide room for from 80 to 40 patients.
Separate cottages will be ~"ovided
for cocaine and other drug victims.
They will not be allowed to mix with
the liquor patients. 1t is expected to
make the institution practically self
supporting, as the state will get the
benefit Of the labor of the patients.
In reply to questions DR.. Tomlin-
son outlined the modus operandi OF
securing admission to the institution
Patients may come voluntarily by
paying one dollar day for treat
ment or they may be committed thru
the probate court OF any county OF
the state, either by personal applica-
tion or by request Of relatives, each
county being limited to five patients
Every application must be approved
by the Board of Control, before pa
tient is admitted.
In reply to another question as, te
the truth Of statement often made
that more people from the country
are committed for insanity than from
the city, the Doctor said it was no
true. Where one insane patien
comes from the country two or three
come from the towns.
At the close of DR.. Tomlinson's re
marks President Murphy expressed
the appreciation Of the visitors fo:
The kindness shown them and a vot'
of thanks was extended with a roa
of "ayes" that echoed thru the cor
ridors Of the hospital.