Evening star., 1926-04-23
FENN|NC REMOVAL
f.. PLEA IS REPEATED
BIanton, Gilbert and Shafer
Direct Questioning at Hear
ing-Dr. White on Stand.

lnq-Ur. Wnlte OFT Stdllu.
The House District subcommittee s
investigation of charges against Com
missioner Frederick A. Fenning,
moved swiftly at its third session
last night
With DR.. William A. White. super
intendent of ST. EliZabeth's Hospital,
still on the stand as the first witness,
Representative Blanton, Democrat,
Texas; Representative Gilbert, Demo
crat, kentucky. and Representative
Shafer, Republican, Wisconsin, the
latter as q witness, demanded the re-
moval of the two officials from office.
Mr.. Blanton and Mr.. Gilbert, as the
chief interrogators, ELECTED from Dr.
White that:
"One or two" of his doctors at the
institution are devoting part of their
time to private practice.
Constant contact of a guardian with
the ward is desirable" although mot
necessary"
Has Received Royalties.
The witness has received royalties
from books published on mental dis
eases and fees for testifYing in courts.
Patients at the hospital receive
discounts of 10 per cent for purchas-
ing articles at two downtown stores.
There are no stralt-1ackets at
the institution and the only one the
witness ever saw was in Il museum.
Coroner hewitt years ago rendered
a verdict of accidental death In the
case of a patient who was scalded.
The institution has its own law or
discipline for employees.
The witness is still business part
ner of Mr. Jennings.
There is no record of the number
of applications made by the witness
for Mr.. Jennings appointment as
guardian.
The meeting also brought out
charges from Mr.. Blanton that he
has previously made.
Blanton asked this question of the
witness:
rs your real name White?"
Yes
Has it always been white?"
Yes
Were you ever known by the name
Of Weiss?"
Never" -
Are you a Jew or Gentile?"
I'm of old New England Anglo
Saxon Puritan stock"
Denies Jewish Blood.
There is no Jew blood in you?"
NO"
You are sure that neither you nor
your progenitors ever were called by
the name of Weiss?"
Il am sure of it"
DIR. White, by now accustomed to
the drastic nature of Mr.. Blanton's
examination. was apathetic through
out the three and one-half hours of
fire directed at him. The plaudits of
the spectators, outbursts of laughter
here and there as Mr.. BlantOn con-
tinued his questions did not affect
him. Chairman Gibson cautioned the
spectators not to show their APP
proval or disapproval either of
the witness or the examiner, but
toward the close of the session these
outbursts occurred and reached a
climax in the declaration by Mr..
Shafer and Mr.. Blanton that the pro
lection of the World War veterans
could best be obtained by the removal
of the two officials from office.
DIR. White testified that since 1905
he was in favor of a better system of
guardianship for the mentally incom-
Detent and plainly indicated he did
not approve the present method en-
ployed. He sought TO read into the
record recommendations along this
line. but Mr.. Gibson ruled it out on
the grounds of immateriality. Mr..
Gibson. however, took the letters for
consideration of the veterans COM
mittee.
Would Preserve Estates.
81 would be heartily in favor of
any method for preserving the es-
tates of these unfortunate persons
DR.. White declared.
When Chairman Gibson said that
by proper management the 100000
received by Mr. Fenning from the
veterans could have been saved foe
hem, DIR. White declared: I've rec
commended repeatedly that such steps
be taken"
Mr. Shafer obtaining permission
to address the committee for five min
utes,- elaborated on the case Of Sam
Fizel, which was discussed WedneS-
day night. The Wisconsin Repre-
sentative, in heated tones, declared
Mr. Fenning as guardian had re-
ceived more money for taking care
of his checks" than the veteran had
for spending money. He further de-
clared Mr.. Fenning hasn't seen his
ward for five years and that he Is
almost 900 miles away. The amount
DE COMMISSIONS 10 udle were ~, 4,1oo.Od,
Mr.. Shafer said.
And in a few months" interrupt
ed Mr. Banton, "Fenning will file
another report on this estate and get
another 10 per cent commission"
II do not think it is compatible
with public interest for a Commits
sioner of the District Of Columbia
10 act as committee in lunacy cases
when the Commissioners have au-
thority over such matters" declared
Mr.. Shafer. ''I do not think It is
compatible with public interest for
a Commissioner to act in the dual
capacity of agent for a bonding house
and dealing in those bonds, and where
he gets commission of IS per cent
on them. 1t is unbelievable that in
the Nations Capital this monopoly
exists
When Mr.. Blanton thought the best
remedy" would be to remove the
two officers Mr.. Shafer shouted,
That's what Congress ought to do"
DIR. White again will take the stand
tonight at 7:30 o'clock.
POLICEMAN MCDUFFIE