The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1912-01-29

f. man Emmett Philips and THOMAS B.
Dozier. the remaining members of the
old board. keenly resent the attempt
Of the board of control to crihcise
their actions as members of the Napa
board
Sacrifice for Friend
Richard Belcher of NIarysville. J. II.
steves Of St. Helena and II. NJ.
Nieacham Of Napa feel that they suf-
fered sufficient humiliation when they
agreed to tender their designations
under fire On being assured that only
such sacrifice on their part would
bring immunity to Doctor Stone for his
misconduct of affairs at the asylum.
This sacrifice they made for a friend
OF many years standing, but they feel
that they have been dealt with un-
fairly by the board of control in the
report compiled by j. F. Neylan of the
board. whereby they are held respon-
sibIe for the lax business methods at
the state institution.
The members of the board of man
ayers have, on the occasion of every
visit 10 the asylum. inspected the diff
ferent wards dormitories and other de-
apartments of the asylum and even gone
among the insane and listened to their
complaints" said Emmett Phillips at
Sacramento yesterday.
Limited Time for Work
I'VE have found it a physical impos-
sibility to go into the business details
of the institution and have relied solely
on the executive staff for. the honest
administration of affairs at the asylum.
In this we were disappointed and de-
ceived.
The discovery of gross irregulari-
ties and dishonest conduct ON the part
OF the steward and medical superin-
tendent Of the Napa hospital came as
a shock to the directors of the insti-
tuition who trusted them implicitly.
The board. of managers meets but
once a month to consider reports of
the officers. audit claims sworn to and
certified by the medical superintendent
and stewards. Usually in all state in
stitutions for the insane the medical
superintendent is depended upon for
the honest conduct of the business af-
fairs of the institution.
The members of the board of man
ayers concern themselves mostly about
the comforts and general condition of
the patients. 1t is not possible to do
more than this in the limited time of
one or two meeting each month
Censure Unwarranted
Richard Belcher Of Marysvine is
OF the board Of control to besmirch the
members of the old board of mana gers.
JIe has been a valuable member of the
board and the only thing that Neylan
could lay against him was that he was
an intimate friend of Doctor Stone"
The other members of the board
agree with Phillips and Dozier that
the censure of the managers by the
board of control is unwarranted.
There is nothing in the state lunacy
act, they contend, that requires them
personally to investigate every claim
instead of taking the certification of
the executive officers of the asylum.
The law does require, however, that
the lunacy commission make regular
Investigation of the affairs of each
asylum and check over the accounts,
but this has not been done, DR.. F. w.
Hatch. the general superintendent ex-
planning that he has not had a suf-
fcient staff of clerks to enable him to
carry ont this part of the law. The
board of control in its report, how
ever. has attached no blame to the
lunacy commission
Control Board Defied
G. swanston, the wealthy wholesale
butcher Of Sacramento. who is accused
by the board of control of charging the
asylum for meat that was never deliv-
cred, has deded the board of control to
produce any proof against him that he
has dealt unfairly with the state.
1T seems that if Doctor Stone has
not done anything wrong he has been
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