Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-10-04

Sweeping charges Of filthy and In
sanitary conditions and recommenda-
tions for the immediate discharge of
the superintendent and county ply
sician are made by the Ada county
grand jury in a report just filed after
an inspection trip to the county poor
farm.
The grand jury charges the
county physician with being derelict
in the performance of his duties, says
that the condition of the houses in
which the milk cows are kept are bet
ter than those in which the men and
women live. characterizes an iron cell
In the institution as "relic of the
dark ages and brands the whole in
stitution as disgrace and re-
proach to an enlightened and pro-
gressive community.
"The paupers' quarters and the evil
dent methods in vogue for their care
is reproach to the county and
disgrace to those responsible for
them" the grand jury declares. The
report says that the superintendent
lacks sympathy for the inmates and
the Jurors found a callousness of men,
tai attitude toward their sufferings
that was remarkable, the investiga-
tors thought. They found that the in
stitution lacks enough help for the
maintenance Of a place Of it's size and
for the cultivation OF the land. The
inmates are compelled to do their own
washing without proper accommoda-
tions it says, and the conditions are
generally filthy and insanitary, accord
ing to the report.
Quarters lnsanitary.
The buildings are in bad repair. have
leaky roofs, and insufficient and in
sanitary quarters for the inmates. The
grand jury found that the place
showed signs OF careless and slovenly
methods OF caring for the people who
are placed under the supervision of
the authorities. The rooms and quar-
ters generally were dirty and filthy
the bedding worn out, and other con-
ditions were found to exist that the
grand jurors thought should not be
allowed In place Of that character.
Upon examination before the grand
Jury. the county commissioners de-
clared that they did not know that
such conditions were existing at the
desire to clean up or to do anything
that the grand jury recommended.
Special charges are made against the
superintendent, Ed Evans. and DR.. c.
f. Shawhan, the county physician
and health officer. The report charges
the latter with being derelict In the
performance Of his duties. He 70 said
to have failed to report to the county
commissioners the condition Of affairs
at the institution and has made no
recommendations for the improvement
OF the sanitary and other surround
ings of the men and women who have
to remain there the rest OF their lives.
No Sympathy Shown.
The Jurors examined the superin-
tendent and his wife and found an
unusual lack Of sympathy for the In
mates and 'callousness OF mental
attitude toward their sufferings that
surprised the investigators. They
recommend that the superintendent be
discharged or, in case that would hurt
the institution. to put someone else
over the direct management of the In
mates some proper person" as the
grand jury says.
4 A cell built in one OF the rooms
where the insane are said to be con-
fined at times Is characterized as "a
relic of the dark ages" There IL no
protection on the iron bars and moth.
ing to prevent the person from but
ting his brains out against them. It II
said. The state inspector. James H.
Wallis. called the grand jury's atten-
tion to this fact when he made trip
to the place two days after that made
by the Jury.
The jury demands that the institu-
tion be kept In a condition that win
not be reproach to an enlightened
and progressive community - any In
(Continued on Psgs Thrss J