The daily progressive-miner., 1917-03-08
Seward Gateway


 shape of the Quarterly Bulletin" ot the Alaska Medical Association, of the Third division, compiled for publicat. ion by Dr. J. H. Romig and pr. J. M Sloan
 One of the interesting articles in the initial issue is by Dr. Sloan on the care of the Alaska insane, a subject which has been given considerable publicity from time to time.
 Dr Sloan's article follows:
 By pr. J. M. Sloan, M. D.
 (Acting Assistant Surgeon Marine Hospital Service.)
 We have no intention of reviewing the treatment accorded our insane from early history, but wish to re- view the reason for their present treatment in an outside sanitarium.
 in 1910 Congress passed an Act, Section ' of which provides, among other things, that the Secretary of the Interior shall advertise for bids for the custody of persons legally adiudg- ed insane in the District of Al aska. Expenses of such care to be paid by appropriation to be made by Congress annually.
 In 1914 advertisement was made from west of the Rocky Mountain range only four were submitted, and of these the Sanitarium Co.,, doing bus mess at Portland, Oregon was con- sidered the lowest and best and they were consequently given a five years contract from March 19, 1914.
 The contract, containing fourteen articles, is too big to publish in full but any one desiring a copy may ob- tain one by communicating with the writer.
 The Sanitarium Co.,, is bonded in the sum of five thousand dollars for the faithful performance of the pro- visions of the contract and an addi- tional bond of two thousand dollars as guarantee for faithfully and hon estly safeguarding all money and prop erty received from the patients.
 Article requires the company to permit either the Secretary of the h. terior, the Attorney General, or the Governor of Alaska or their represen- tatives, to to inspect the premises. At present we are fortunate in hay ing an Alaskan for Governor.
 Article 9 will be quoted in full. and follows:
 "It is understood and agreed that if. after the expiration of one year from the 10th of January, 1915, the Secre- tary of the Interior is satisfied after inquiry and inspection in Alaska either by himself or through his au- thorized representative, that there is any responsible asylum or sanitarium in the Territory of Alaska for the care oI the insane, competent and equipped to care for the then or thereafter leg ally adjuded insane of the territory of Alaska, the secretary of the Interior in his discretion may cancel this con- tract and call for bids for the care of the insane of Alaska in order to afford asylums or sanitariums in Alaska op- portunity to bid for the service if they so elect; if, however, at expiration of said year the Secretary of the Interior is satisfied that there Is no responsib- le asylum or sanitarium in the Ter ritory Of Alaska competent and equip ped for the care of the insane of the Territory, and this contract is not can celled, then this contract shall contin- ue in full force and effect for the en- tire term of five years from January IS, 1915"
 This is either an attempt on the part of the government to encourage the erection of an asylum in Alaska, 50 that our legally-adjudged insane may be properly cared for at home. or it is another joke
 There are two ways such 9. sani. tarium may be erected in Alaska.