Evening star., 1940-02-15
Blue Plains
Continued From First Page)

D'Alesandro said he would call on
Maj. Daniel ]. Donovan. auditor and
budge' officer, for a detailed state
ment of estimates of Mr.. Haskell for
the last several years. showing ex-
actly how much had been cut from
each item.
Mr.. D'Alesandro read an excerpt
from one of Mr.. Haskells annual
reports, in which he thanked the
Commissioners and the Board of
Public Welfare for their co-opera-
ton.
IF I were you," admonished
Chairman D'Alesandro, II wouldn't
send any more bouquets to the Com
missioners. If anybody is Sinking
responsibility, it's them"
Conditions Declared Improving.
Mr.. Haskell. who has been SUPER
intendent at Blue Plains since June,
1928. was asked to compare condi-
tions there today with those of past
years.
."They have been getting BETTER"
he replied.
"Better?" said Mr.. D'Alesandro.
.."They must have been pretty bad
when you became superintendent.
Il suppose YOU have been there so
long you have gotten used to that
odor down there. 1t knocks you
down when you enter the place. I
would get gas masks for those old
people so they can enjoy their
food"
Give us more room down there
and we will eliminate lot of the
odor," replied Mr.. Haskell
II think it would be a good idea
for you to invite the Commission
ers, the Board of Public Welfare
and members of the congressional
appropriations committees down
there for dinner" continued Repre-
sentative D'Alesandro. Il bet you
would get the money you need"
II would be glad to have them,"
Mr., Haskell responded.
But make them pay for the
meal" Mr.. D'Alesandro added.
Testimony on Thievery.
: Next, Representative D'Alesandro
wanted to know whether thievery
had caused any trouble at the home.
They steal anything that's loose
if they can get away with it, said
Mr.. Haskell.
insiders or outsiders?" asked
Mr.. D'Alesandro.
Insiders" came the reply. You
can't stop them from putting a
sandwich in their pockets"
You don't punish them for steal
ing a sandwich" asked Mr.. Dale
sanro.
mo" the superintendent an
swered.
Mr.. Haskell told the subcommittee
the home needs 6 additional Or
derlies for the lnfirmary, 80 more
kitchen and dining room en-
ployes, 3 new buildings, a new
power plant and from $1,000 to
$4,000 a year for the next five
years to doll up the. place.
Before Or. Meloy left the witness
stand, Representative Sandager, Re-
publican, of Rhode Island, SUBJ
committee member, asked him about
flrt protection conditions at the
home.
Fire Protection "a Joke"
Just joke" he replied. Those
in bed couldn't get out. 1t takes an
active man to come down a fire
escape. These aged patients couldn't
do it,"
Asked If ne thought 4he 100 bed
ridden patients in the infirmary
should be transferred to- Gallinger
Hospital, DR.. Meloy said:
"Gallinger sends them to us when
they can't do anything more for
them over there. Blue Plains is the
place of last resort"
The subcommittee will resume the
investigation Tuesday at 1913 am,
with Miss Fay L. Bentley, Judge Of
Juvenile Court, as the first witness.
At that time the subcommittee plans
to turn its attention to conditions At
the Receiving Home for Children
conditions Mrs. Franklin D. Roose-
welt found to be shocking on her re-
cent surprise visit there.
Aside from the lack Of modern
medical and surgical equipment,
DR.. Meloy also disclosed there is
no operating table In the infirm-
ary and that inmates In need OF
emergency operations must be
transferred to Gallinger Hospital
"There's q lot oftvork I could