The New York herald., 1922-09-05
THOROUGH HOSPITAL
inquiry STARTED AS
|. COMPLAINTS POUR in
Relatives, Patients, Neigh
bors Protest Way Insane
Veterans. Are Treated.
CRAZED MEN ESCAPE
Fugitives Break Into
Houses Nearby, Frighten
Women and Children.
WORST BRUTALITY CASE
Investigator Promises Punish
ment of Attendants Who
Beat Charges.
WORST BRUTALITY CASE

A thorough investigation Of condi-
the United States Veterans Bureau
Hospital 81, Kingsbridge road and
Sedgwick avenue, The Bronx. is being
conducted as the result of the alleged
assault made by two attendants upon
Nicholas B. Samson, orty-eight, an
insane patient there, for which Timo-
thy J. Luccie and Harry J. Morgan
are held in $1,000 bail each for ar
raignment tomorrow morning before
United States Commissioner Samuel
M Hitchcock.
Since NJ p. McInerney of Washing
ton, chief investigator, took up the in
quiry into the beating of Samson,
number of other complaints from rela-
tives of patients, and from persons
living close to the institution have
been coming in. The investigator and
his assistants have been busy for five
days Investigating each complaint. 1t
is likely that the investigation of all
the complaints will take considerable
time, according to McInerney. Mean
while, he intends to see that both
Luccie and Morgan are punished Sc
verely, he said.
Legion Becomes Active.
As result of the Investigations 1t is
probable strong recommendations will be
forwarded TO Washington regarding the
site OF the hospital, which cares only
for insane and serious mental cases
Ever since the Government established
| 1t as a mental hospital persons living
in the vicinity have complained that
there was no adequate protection from
inmates. who frequently euded the
guards and on more than one occasion
ran INFO the houses nearby. seriously
frightening many women and children.
William +. DeeEan, New York State
Commander of the American Legion. has
received numerous requests to take ac-
tion about II. Since the beating of Sam
son he has been active on the case. He
was in consultation yesterday with both
DR.. A. r. Chtonqucst. commanding off
Ger of the hospital, and Investigator
Mc1nerney. At the conclusion of the
meeting, which lasted for nearly two
hours. Mr. Deegan told "A reporter from
many things he would suggest for the
proper care of the inmates.
'Dr. Chronquest has acted splendidlv
and is in no way responsible for what
happened he said. within one hour
after Samson's sister, Miss Agnes Sam
son. had telephoned to complain about
the beating her brother underwent Dr.
Chronquest had made a complete In
vestigation and had dismissed the two
u tot.
McInerney. who went to the hospital
and ordered the arrest of the two men,"
General Condition Good.
This is no place for a hospital to
handle mental cases. With no protec-
ton in the shape Of a wall or n fence
there is always the danger of men elud-
ing the guards and getting out into the
city. This Is beautiful place. but II
Is virtually in the heart of the city. An
institution for the insane should be in
the country. where the men can have
the fields TO roam In without fear OF
their escaping. The Government has
been very lax In overlooking that fact
TIE guards. stationed several hundred
yards apart and in many cases out OF
each others sight. arc little protection
against men slipping out"
CON itons as far MS they involve food.
Accommodations and things in general
are very good. both Mr.. Deegan and
Inspector Mc1nerney agreed. They are
investigating ead, complaint regarding
brutality on the part of the employees
toward the mentally deficient inmates. all
of whom have been deranged by their
service under fire.
A separate investigation liz being con-
Quoted by the Bronx county authorities.
District Attorney Edward j. Glennon
his received a large number OF COM
plants from persons living near the in
stitution which he intends TO investigate
Independent Of the action taken by the
Federal authorities. Both the District
Attorney and Magistrate Peter a. Hat
tin-. who held the two In $1,000 bail,
nxux.u.aI -. pano Carou