Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-20

the Maine Insane Hospital. was called
to testify before the council by DR..
Gordon. DR.. Miller's testimony was
sensational, and the inner workings of
the institution were declared by him to
be sadly lacking. He announced with
great emphasis that the fire depart
ment at the institution was practical
f., ~ myth, owing for a greater part to
The stand of Treasurer Campbell The
controversy between him and Treas
urer Campbell, he set forth by relat-
ing many happenings about the insti-
1 tuition. He told of the inner workings
of his orders, how at every turn he
had been blocked by the dilatoriness
and negligence of the treasurer. He told
how orders he had issued had gone
months before they had been carried
out. He even limited at a possibility of
influence in the contracts for coal and
undertaking. that had been let to the
same person year after year. He told
of things done about the institution of
which he was entirely ignorant of
times when things had been bought, or
sold, even without his approval after
he had ordered the use of requisition
bla nlls.
DIR. Miller declared he had not sought
the position. but had been sought, by
the trustees. 1t was his purpose to
better the institution, and as he had
had Is years experience in the treat
ment of insane persons, he thought
himself qualified To do it.
Denies That Campbell Resigned.
DIR. Miller began his testimony by
reading Il few lines from the rules and
regulation, which makes the superin-
tendent of the institution supreme,
that he is boss, there is no doubt. In
view of the statement in the Kennebec
Journal, that Treasurer Campbell had
rendered his resignation before. he
said he had never received it as a rep
resentative of the board, and did not
think any one else had.
DIR. Miller Immediately launched into
"a severe criticism of the fire depart
ment, and protection, declaring it to b.
entirely inadequate He said he had
repeatedly urged Campbell to have
fire drills and that the treasurer had
shown no disposition whatever to CO.
operate. DR.. Miller stated that he had
enforced all the rules of the trustees to
the letter, and that in some cases
Campbell had not carried them out.
Not one drill since | have been
there" declared the doctor speaking
of fire protection. Nothing has been
done. He had asked the treasurer to
examine and report to him. This
Campbell had done, apparently. and
had passed him a report naming men,
bers Of the fire brigade, and explained
that the fire apparatus was in excel
lert condition. Yet upon inqhiring
himself he found that several of the
men never heard of fire brigade and
that one was not even in the hospita
at that time. Another said he was
willing To serve but had never been
asked. He said he found hose that
had been there 80 years but had never
been used and yet the treasurer re-
ported il as good. Standpipes were
found without hose or nozZles and
many We're leaky. This condition he
said has moi been remedied though he
has ordered it time and time again.
DIR. Miller exhibited some of the fire
fighting apparatus. in the line OF eX-
tinguishers. They were old-fashiened
and few of the powder eXtingnishers
covered that the chemical in the stable
had not been redlled for five years and
he understood that they should be re-
|hled every year at least.
One Undertaken; One Coal Firm.
Referring to the undertaking of this
institution. DR. Miller discovered that
for years. practically. the same under
ltaker had gotten all the jobs, ana that
IT one time he had, while at meet
ing of the committee on insane hospl-
tails. ordered Campbell to get him some
cigars and even found the name OF
that particular undertaken in the DON
He told of the coal bought for use at
the institution, that had for years beeh
purchased of the same COMMISSION
merchant. in Boston. He had ordered
n division of the purchasing and moth
/ ing had been done. This year the coal
was so late in arriving ii became nee
cssary to buy it at retail from local
firm. He stated he had ordered the
use of reeuisition blanks in 1910, anu
Iit was 1912 before they were obtaheu.
and even then it was seldom he had
ever been given the chance OF approx
| ing q purchase.
DIR. Miller told of cutting down the
waste of ordering olemargerine TO ne
used instead Of butter and that oespi'e
orders he had found that butter was
being used instead. He stated tha'
accounts were two months late Wieh
there was no need for such a coi'oi-
| ton. DR. Miller Gifted item after item
where his orders had been overruh py
the treasurer when he had been iia''y
disobeyed. and that his authority MI"
been usurped oy the treasurer.
Or. Miller Corroborated.
DIR. Gordon for the board OF trustees
| fully corroborated all the testimony Oh
DR.. Miller He had learned after per :
sonal investigation that the DAIRY nero
was tuberculor: that the mix NV
| gave was not nearly up to stafo"i"'
and the conditions were fearful
Thomas White of Bangor. though ii
personal friend of Mr.. Camppei' ue
clared he thought the treasurer oiia-
/ tory in his methods.
| At one time during the hearing NJ, !:
iCampbell attempted to make hlrnse,'
heard. during a statement by Dr, Mn
Her and was promptly silenced pS