Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-09-23
GOVERNOR APPOINTS
PROBE COMMITTEE
STATE HOSPITALS
Asks Frank Report of Con-
ditions and Criticism
of Abuses.
SEEKS FOUNDATION
UNVERIFIED RUMORS
First Meeting of Committee for
Organization Expected Within
Few Days in Seattle.

Organization Expected Within
Few Days in Seattle.
That if there is any truth in the
rumors circulating about the state
concerning conditions in the insane
hospitals at Sedro-W oolley and a.
Steilacoom, Governor Louis F. Hart
desires to know it, was made plain
today by his appointment of nine
men and women, all well known tC
the people of the state, who will
form committee to make an inves-
tigation at the two institutions. Gov.
ernor Hart placed no restrictions OF
any kind on the committee and gave
them sufficient power to gather any
information that they might desire
after which he asks a frank report
of conditions, together with criti
cism of any abuses, irregularities,
of lack care or attention, in order
that the same man be corrected. The
committee named by the governor
today is composed of the following
members:
George E. Gage, Dillingham;; Rob-
ert Hesketh, Seattle; Mrs. John P.
Weyerhaeuser, Tacoma; Rev. w. A.
Major, Seattle; Harry Mccormack,
Tacoma; Mrs. A. E. Larson, Yakima !;
Right Rev. E. ]. O'Dea, Seattle: Mrs.
John H. Powell, Seattle, and e. D.
Colvin, Seattle.
Governor Issues Letter.
In his letter to the members of
the committee Governor Hart said:
There have been many rumors
and unsupported stories circulating
throughout the state concerning con-
ditions at the Northern Hospital for
the Insane at Sedro- Woolley and the
Western Washington Hospital at
Fort Steilacoom. I am unable to
get verification of these stories, and
in the very nature ct things it would
be impossible for ME t., verify them
by personal investigation.
Conditions are reported to be
such as to demand early and force
full action and l ought to know and
the public are entitled to know II
these rumors are true. II the stories
are based ON fact the governor ought
to know 1t in order that prompt
action might be taken to correct the
abuses. II they are not true, that
fact ought to be published from a
committee Of unquestioned integrity
and veracity that the public mind
might be put to rest.
Desires EARLY Visit
ut is my desire that this commit
tee arrange at the earliest possible
date for visit to the Northern Hos
pital, without notice to the superin-
tendent or anyone else in authority
as to the date of their visit, and
make q thorough investigation of
conditions at the institution, and of
the care, attention and food given
he wards. This letter will authorize
the committee herein named, to ad-
mittance to any part of the grounds
or buildings, and to converse pub
licly or privately by Interrogation
or otherwise with any of the states
wards, as we'll ais any of the en-
ployes, including the superintendent.
when the investigation is COM
pleted, want frank report of con-
ditions at the institution, together
with a criticism of any abuses, IT.
Irregularities, or lack of care or atten-
ton. that the same may be promptly
corrected. After which would like
Ia similar investigation at the West
|ern Washington Hospital"
The date Of the first meeting OF
the committee for Organization pur-
poses was not definitely fixed but 1t
will probably be held in Seattle with.
in the next few days.
Governor Hart, when asked in
what way the committee would be
expected to proceed. replied that
they would select their own chair
man and proceed in any manner they
thought best.
II am very desirous," the gov.
'ernor said" of having the coopera.
ton in this matter of the relatives
of inmates confined in the institu-
lions, or anyone who may know OF
any conditions which they do not
think are proper, and the names OF
the committee are being given to the
public at this time in order that in.
terested parties may communicate
any information at their command
to members of the committee.
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