Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-07
MAY ASK AUDITING
Charge for Care of INDECENT In
sane Thought High.
APPEAL SEEMS LIKELY
Item Against District Of $780,
5000 Was Included in the
Sundry Civil Bill.
PPEAL SEEMS LIKELY

That the District auditors Office has
under contemplation the ACCESSIBILITY %
requesting the Commissioners to suggest
to Congress that the charge against tho
local government for the care OF District
INDECENT insane persons at the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane from 1881
To 1911 be analysed and audited became
known today
The inclusion in the sundry civil bill Of
the item OF $500 1860. to cover the ex-
cess cost of the maintenance OF the Dis
trict's patients at the hospital during tho
years mentioned. came as q surprise to
District officials. as they are not aware.
they assert. that the District has not
met its fun obligations in the matter, and
believe than an auditing of the account
Will show that. IL any deficiency exists.
IL is much less than that named.
The suggestion contained I'm an editorial
published I'm The Star Wednesday that
the item should not be rushed through In
the absence of any trustworthy actuarial
research to permit a dependable computa-
ton OF the Districts Indebtedness has the
endorsement OF the auditors office. Ii IL
likely that the recommendation OF the
office will he that the account be audited
In the same manner that the floating IN
debtedness OF the District IL audited by
the auditor of the District and the audi
tor for the state and other departments
of the federal government.
Officials Have Investigated.
Since the reporting out OF the bill.
District officials have been investi-
eating the matter. and II Is stated
they have reached the conclusion that
IL any liability exists for deficiency
payments 1t Is the more properly
chargeable to the superintendent or
the hospital, as that official. as far as
the records OF the District have been
examined. IL is asserted. In no year has
requested a deficiency appropriation.
Not only this. but the Comm IS oners.
IL is stated make up their annual esi-
mates for the care OF the District indi-
gent insane at the hospital on the bass
of figures furnished them by the super
fntendent of the hospital. and IL the
amount has been insufficient, IL
charged, the fact has not been called to
their attention.
one factor In the situation which may
play an important part before the matter
finally is disposed OF is that relating TO
the passage by Congress In January.
1S99 of bill making II the duty OF the
Commissioners to return all INDECENT IN
sane persons not residents OF the Distrlct
at the time they became insane, who
may be detained i'm the hospital. to their
relatives or friends.
Have Transferred ISL.
The report of the board of charities for
1911 shows that. since the going into
effect of this law 1o1 persons have b"en
transferred from the hospital.
II these ratients were stiil I'm the hos
pital and the District government forced
to pay for them at the rate or $40 each
a year the cost would be $i65.220 a year
Ii is said to be likely that District OF
ficiaIs will take the ground that tho
local government should not be forced
10 nay an excess charge in the case OF
INDECENT patients that II could not have
transferred prior to the going into Ell
feet Of the above mentioned law.