The Alaska daily empire., 1916-12-15
Gov. Strong Urges the Government to Make Appropriation for
 Alaska ASIyum.
BENEFITS TO ACCRUE
Better Satisfaction Car Be Obtained - More Care Given Than in
 Contract Place.

In discussing the insane of Alas ka. detention hospitals and commis- sion of crime, Gov J. r. A. Strong in his annual report says that Alas ka has no hospital for the insane, and insane persons are cared for at Morningside Sanitarium, near Port land, Oregon, under contract en- tered into between the Sanitarium Company of that city and the Secre. tary of the Interior. Congress makes an annual appropriation for the meli- cal treatment and maintenance of the Alaska patients. the amount ape propriated for the fiscal year being $7O.O0O This item includes trans portation in ease of removal of pa tients elsewhere. In previous an uual reports the contract system of caring for insane persons has receiv- cd attention, and the recOmmenda- ton has been made that the insane Of Alaska should be cared for in Alaska. If this plan were adopted 1t would call for the construction of suitable buildings at considerable cost to the government. but it Is submitted that this cost would not be excessive. while the contract sys- tenn of caring for these insane pa tients. inherently bad at all times and under all conditions. would be abolished. IL need be scarcely point ed out that no matter w!th what fidelity the contract may be dis charged it can never be satisfactory. and complaints, otttimes g.oundless, will be almost unceasing. The prop CT care of detectives Of all kinds should be matter of grave con cern to the state It is quite prob able that the treatment accorded the insane of Alaska at the con tract hospital will compare favorably with that accorded patients in simi- lar institutions; perhaps it is better than the average. but this fact does not relieve the Government Of the responsibility Of providing a modern well-equipped institution in the Ter ritory where the insane can be prop erly maintained Steps with this end in view must be taken sooner or later, and the tide would now seem 10 be prOpitous. There are a num- Der of towns in Alaska where sites may be obtained for such instltu- tions. The population Of Alaska is increasing and will continue Co in- crease steadily for many years to come; and with it no doubt will fol- low an increase in the rumber of insane to be cared for by the Gov ernment.
 Morningside Sanitarium and its management were subjects of several comprehensive investigations during the year. These were conducted by experts under the direction of the department, the reports. on the whole, being not unfayorable to the management Of the institution. A number of recommendations were made and it is understood that these have been carried out or are in the process of fulfiument Among the improvements that are now un- der way is the construction of an additional building upon plans ap- proved by the department This building will provide much more room and relieve the congestion that has been hitherto apparent, es- pecially in the dormitories. Greater freedom for exercise will also be afforded the patients. more and bet ter bathing facilities will be furni- ished and hydrotherapy will be among the new features added.
 It may be conceded that many of the complaints that have been made in the past concerning the manage ment of this institution have been more or less grouudless. Discharged patients have been. perhaps. reck- less of consequences in making state ments not susceptible of proof. and these have been given credence by individuals and public bodies in AL aska without any effort being made to ascertain exact conditions or the truth of the charges made. There is a similarity between human na- ture as found in an insane asylum. and the human nature found out side. in that it is remarkably easy Co make allegations but often diff cult to find proof to support them. The criticisms that have been launch ed were perhaps intended for the