New-York tribune., 1922-01-30
Figures Riddle Charge That
Inmates of Institutions
Have Suffered From Mil
ler's Economy Program
Record Best in Years
S2.118,258 Expended in s
Months Nearly as Much as
Smith Spent in Twelve
By Denis Tilden Lynch

the Democrats decided early in the ees-
son 70 strike at Governor Millcr's
care of the states insane.
The Democrats fred their first shot
n this campaign 3 week ago. insinuat-
irg that the Governors policy Of re-
trenchment and economy had worked to
the disadvantage Of the helpless wards
OF the state.
The alleged refusal By the resident
superintendent st Wards Island to ad-
NIT Senator James J. Walker and As
seInblyman Charles D. Donohue to visit
certain wards at that institution where
tho insane are cared for was used by
the Senate minority leader as the basis
20. the first attack on the Miller ad-
rninistration's care of the mentally in
competent.
Republicans conversant with the
facts to-day expressed the opinion that
i.either Senator Walker nor any other
Democrat would dare to 60 ahead with
the attack, as the. facts and figures
show that Governor Miller's policy, in
so far as it affects the care Of tho
insane, has worked entirely to their
advantage.
Figures Disprovc Charge
Under Governor Miller, out Of appro-
T,.ations made By the Miller adm mnis-
.ation for new buildings and perma-
7cnt betterments, the State Hospital
Commission, which is charged by the
constitution with the care Of the in
arc. spent s2,1ls,258 in the six months
cnding December 81, 1921. This is only
$500 900 less than the entire sum spent
by the Democratic administration un-
der Governor Smith for an entire year.
This year the State Hospital Com
mission will spend nearly $3,0O0,000
for new buildings for the states insane.
This is as much as can be eficienty
spent b. the commission, which hopes
10 have close TO ideal quarters for all
nc wards OF the state within the next
four years.
This S3.ooo,O0o, with the $2,11s,25s
sTent in the six months ending Decem-
Ter 81 an eighteen months period
VII exceed by more than 81 100000 the
Gums spent in the twenty-four months
ending Juc 80 1924, when the Whitman
srd Smith administration oycrlapped
each other
TIE State Hospital Commission, of
winch Dr.. {. Floyd Haviland is head
and which goes on with its humane
work year in and year out despite
administration changes and unsuccess-
full attempts to drag if into politics.
Vorined the foregoing facts for The
Tribune cores spondcnt.
In the fiscal year ending juno 80.
100. which included the last six
months Of the first year of the Smith
administration and the last six months
- tho Whitman admin stration. 81,
SH.-a7 Wa spcnt in new buildings and
permanent hottcrments for the insane.
Little Building in 1920
ihn va had held up construction
I'd repairs during the abovc-named d
scal year. but under Governor Smith,
Tor the trst year he had control. the
fwelvc months ending June so, 1921
2.Gis, os5 was spent for this purpose
Nrd ths sum spent by the Smith ad.
ministration. rcarly double that spent
the preceding twelve months, has
tcen &imo1t cqualed IN the first six
months that the Miller administration
al complete leeway.
AT present | 500 new beds for the
sane With living quarters for at
'endaNts. hospital, laboratory and
ztchen spacc, arc about to be added to
nc hospitals of the state All this is
- work Of the State Hospital Com
mission under the Miller administra-
nor
The Increased bed capacity becausc
II nov construction about TO be com.
aiciod apportioned rs follows: Cen
tral lshp, 200 Kings Park 200
aroy, 500; Middletovn. 500; Hudson
ElNee. ioo
ihe last named will be ready fol
eeeDp2rcy not later than May l. A,
81 ddietoNn patients are now being
.,4ta l.
nofcJ ;hcro; tho 500 beds at Marcy
rill he ready between July and Az
-ust At Kings Park the building j.
completed And the state is waiting fo
equipment from tho factories: at Cen
raj 'siip the additional bed space viii
he available lulv l.
Best Showing in Years
THIS IS the greatest showing mad
h.' the State Hospital Commission il
recent. ycars. Republicans are no
takinr any partisan credit Tor th
tremendous stride. but they do rescn
fho attempts made by the Democrat
to mako q political football Of tn
etSte insane
i'm tfs first year Of Governor Smith
sdmlnlStration Dr.. Pierce Bailey an,
Ir. hermann A. Biess made an investi
CATION of the states hospitals 7hi
inquiry. ordered by Governor Smith
re- called shocking conditions. due t.
inadequate housing and inadequate an,
inefficient attendants. These cond;
tons because OF wartime restrictions
could not be reineJicd under Goveruo
Smltn. but conditions were bettered
and even greater improvement has bee,
MADE under Governor Miller.
o-csy the total number of insane,
'n TIC states hospitals arc 37.3lS. Thi
represented al orercroWdcd condition
As the certified capacity Of the institu
toms - orly 30.iG4. But il i. ia
letter LOVING than has been made !,
Years. notH tHithssandins the increase il
iusanc population.
Nany Insane Reclaimed
This year s25,ooo will be spent ir
work Of which the ayman know.
little In fact. few OF the medics
profession know of its existence. Th,,
q the reclamation Of the insanc-tht
1snskirg Of them. mentally anc
physically. SO that they will be pro,
ductive units in tho community.
Under Dr. Hsviland a big program,
Tor the reclaininc Of the states insane
har bee, mapped out. Aud it is the
eonlmisslons intention to carry this
work TO such an extreme that in q
short time the entire insane popula-
ilon Of the state institutions, excepting
the recently adm Itted and the phvsicalIr,
Incompetent. will be students at classes
to NJ them for returning 70 their com.
"ur,tiea a. citizens physically and
nlertailv normal.