Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-06
HOSPITAL SHAKE-UP
TO FOLLOW INQUIRY
st. EIizabeth's Officials Will
Fix Blame for Tragedy
of Saturday.

Tive more prisoners have escaped
st. Elixabeth's Hospital. Police to-
day were searching for Henry
David Branham, twenty-five years
old. the latter war risk patient,
b0th Of whom escaped yesterday
from the Institution.
A thorough "shake-up" in the per-
sonnel of the interior guard at ST.
Elizabeth's Hospital for the Insane
will follow the investigation, now in
progress. to fix the blame for the es.
cape Saturday Of Vincent w. Hopkins
a patient, and the tragedy which re-
suited in the death of Patrick J.. Mes
setts another patient. and 1.-The gohnd.
ing of Hopkins when the latter was
recaptured.
This statement was given to The
Star today by officials Of the institu-
tion in charge of the inquiry into the
general conditions at the hospital
which have resulted lately in the es-
cape of several patients.
Procedure to BE Followed.
In order to fix responsibility for fu-
ture escapes or assaults, among the
inmates Of the hospital, the follow
ing procedure will be followed:
Z The guard responsible for the pa
tient will be required to submit a de-
tailed written report.
The supervisor of the building from
which the prisoner escapes will con-
duct an investigation and submit a
detailed written report.
The house physician in attendance
upon the patient will also write a
statement.
Finally, the superintendent of the
entire institution will receive the re-
ports, make an investigation and Ak
responsibility.
Failure Of Congress to appropriate
sufficient funds to erect a gatehouse
on one side of st. Elizabeth's Hos
pital has given inmates Of the insti-
tuition opportunity from time to time
to escape. according to officials of
the hospital.
The gate In question, it was stated,
has been locked, but not guarded in
the past. Hereafter. officials said,
the gate will be both guarded and
locked.
Preeaution Mt Games.
According to a statement issued to-
day by the District Red Cross Chap
ter every precaution will be taken by
JLs
capes or signs of disorder at the ath-
letic field events to be staged on the
hospitals athletic field this after
noon.
Red Cross officers inquired at the
hospital yesterday, it was said, and
learned that extra efforts will be
made to prevent any sporadic at
tempts on the part of the patients
to disturb the celebration.
Although there are more than 5000
inmates at the institution, only 1900
will be allowed to attend the games
The women of the comforts section
Of the District Red Cross Chapter and
a committee from the Department of
Agriculture headed by Mrs. Robert
M Reese will serve ice cream and
cake. There will be beauty contests
for the men and women.
Enxineer Released.
George E. Cadell. engineer of the
pumping station of st. Elizabeth's
HOSPITAL, who shot and captured Hop
kins. last night was released from
close custody by the eleventh precinct
nolice and returned to work. No formal
charge has been or is expected to be
lodged against him.
Hopkins is now expected to re-
cover. Physicians state that he has
nassed the crisis and, unless blood
poison. sets in from his wound in the
left lung, a good chance for his ra-
covery is held opt
An inquest into the death Of Mes
sett will be held tomorrow morning
at IL o'clock at the District morgue
by Coroner J. Ramsey hewitt.