The sun., 1919-01-30
VETS CHARGES
START INQUIRY
INTO HOSPITAL
Statements by Soldiers of
Brutal Treatment Stir
House and Capital.
SWEEPING DENIAL MADE
Head Of st. Elizabeth's Ad-
mits Justice Of Some Com
plaints-Senate May Act.
Epscinl Dsspnfch 10 The SrN.

Special Despofch 10 TIE srS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ga resolution
demanding an inquiry into conditions
alleged to exist at st. Elizabeth's Hos
pital here is being prepared and will
he introduced in the House tomorrow,
It was learned to-day. A similar reso-
luton also may be introduced in the
Senate.
Publication in THE Sun to-day Of
charges OF mistreatment at the hospi-
tai, made by soldiers sent there.
aroused a storm of comment in Wash
ington. The situation alleged to exist
at the hospital was denied In the House
by Representative Mondell (Wyo.) and
affirmed by Representative Knutson
(Minn.).
Or. William A. White, superintendent
OF the hospital. issued lengthy denial
Of the statements made by Parke Long
worth and other inmates and former
inmates OF the asylum. Or. White de-
clared that Longworths statement was
'fnanifestly. obviously and unequivocally
the ramblings of a man mentally ILL.,"
Denies Brutality Charge.
Dr.. White denied that brutal treat
ment had been INDUCED in. and said
Il was a standing rule at the hospital
that no attendant was ever to use vio-
fence except in self-defence.
'Jongworths history shows that he
has been doing this sort OF thing every
where" said Dr. White. He tried to
ha hat I,a her
and he seems disturbed because he
wasn't allowed to run this place
When DR.. White was asked why
Jongworth was released II he considered
him mentally unsound he said: I'VE
discharge many patei.., who are still
mentally Ill. When great pressure is
brought to bear by friends and relatives
and when persons OF good standing
vouch for the patient he may be re-
leased in their care. This vas true OF
Longworth."
DR.. White's statement in part follows
in regard to the matter OF food and
lack of exercise there is some truth in
Longworth's complaints, but not in the
way or for the reason he gives. Every
one everywhere suffered hardship and
privation because OF the war. and the
patients of St. Elizabeth's were no.ex-
ceptions.
Not n Military Institution.
THE efficiency of this institution. like
that OF every institution and big bust
ness concern in the country. was shot
TO pieces by the war. The trouble comes
in the fact that we are a civilian and
not a military institution. as Is gen.
orally understood. That IL why the
uniformed seemed to expect military
efficiency Of us in war times when the
fact Ia and he1nleas a
any other civilian concern. We could
commander neither supplies nor help.
"In regard TO the lack OF treatment
alleged every one knows you cannot
cure mental ailments With pills. Our
orcupatioral therapy. a. expressed In
the industrial shops, suffered along with
everything else.
"In the matter of food our table suf
fered Just as yours or any one else's
Our system OF buying has been by bids
Because Of the uncertain condition OF
me market in foodstufrs the usual bid.
ders were afraid to take chances and we
received no offers. That threw us out
in the open market. We often could moi
buy what we wanted sometimes be
cause the food was not to be had. and
sometimes because the price was higher
than we could afford TO pay. We were
restricted in sugar and wheat Just as
the general public was.
No infectious Diseases There.
"As to the patients having TO give ur
their uniforms, that Is regulation OF
the War Department and has nothing
70 do with me. AS to their having &c
wear clothing previously worn by pa
tients suffering from infectious disease.
I am convinced the charge is unfounded
We have had no infectious disease, but
the influenza. and II any clothing wal
worn again I am sure It was properly
ster.lized
las to soldier patients being confined
with civilian patients that Is undoubted
" true. but why Is this distinction made
As you know. We care for the civilian
insane OF the district, but I cannot sec
why one person mentally i'll should OBJ
iect to being housed with others men
tally Ill whether they are citizens oil
soldiers. This much is true. there il
not an institution in the world that Il
or can be equipped to adequately car,
for the insane-there isn't money
enough to do it,
Members OF the House Military Com
mittee expect TO elicit full information
as to the practice of sending soldier
and ex-soldlers suffering from shell
shock and war neurosis to st. Eliza
heth's when officers Of the Surgeon Gen
erals office appear before the committe,
in hearings on the annual Army bill.
Mondell Defends Hospital.
Representatives Crago (Pa), Olne,
tMass). and Sanford IN. " have ha,
occasion. through cases affecting constl
tuents, to be particularly interested II
conditions at St Flizabeth's. and in tn
policy OF the Surgeon-Generars Office 1,
disposing of shell shock and war neuro
sis cases. All OF these are members o
Tho Military Committee.
Representative Mondell defended III,
hospital and it's administration. declar
ing that in his opinion IL was zone o
the very best managed and conducte,
institutions in America II not In tn,
world"
Representative Paige (SIass) inter
rupted Mr.. Mondell TO give an inciden
which had como under his observation
"A man at the head OF tho Red eros
stated to me-" said MIR. Paige. in tellin,
Of a soldier held at st. Elizabeth's. "tha
he was not insane at all and Or. Whit
insisted that hs was. After a great dea
Of correspondence they decided to lie
him out on furlough. His father, a poo
man, was subjected TO a great deal o
expense in coming 10 Washington an
he brought the boy TO yonder door. an
~ there ever was bright and intelllgen
young man II was that boy.
Must Return to Hospital.