The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-11
BY DIR. BURTON A. BROWN

.
This created the beginning of the
over-crowding which has plagued
the hospital ever since.
Over the protest OF the admins
traitor and superintendent OF
nurses. beds were thus reduced be-
low 200. and the commissioners
therefore stiIl retained direct con-
troll. since the hospital law no
longer applied.
Overcrowding caused by en-
forced shortage OF beds and a
rapidly increasing demand upon
the hospital tnow quadrupied)
forced the necessity to erect beds
In the Railways. even violating fire
ordinances. But politics had re-
tanned its need OF patronage.
Used as DormItory
The opportunity to reopen the
old wards on the second floor has
never been afforded by any sue
ceeding board of commissioners.
The space y now used for dormi-
tory purposes and part-time
contagious ward.
In 1e33-34. even the nurses were
appointed by new commissioner,
ignoring the superintendent of
nurses entirely as to her prefer
enccs. A new business manager
and bookkeeper. new pharmacist.
and even pathologist were APP
pointed without consulting the
superintendent Even a young
technician. just fresh
from school, was placed In charge
Of the laboratory. superseding but
not displacing the well-trained
technician who had been In charge
Of the clinical laboratory for eight
years.
A son-in-law was given charge
Of the main kitchen as head chef.
His previous experience was cook
In logging camp. Hospital menus
and dietetics meant nothing to
him. His thirst for alcohol caused
The flavoring extracts to disappear
Misbchavior Not Tolerated
Alcoholic intoxication m on e
employees has not been tolerated
BY the administrator. In 1892. an
orderly, feeling solid" as politi-
al untouchable. appeared on duty
Ordered off the job.
he refused to leave. Becoming
abusive to an elderly patient, he
,rokc the patients arm by rough
A prompt discharge
orccd him off the hospital
grounds. He appealed to one of
he commissioners, who urged that |
he be re-instated. So much pres
Iure was brought for Reinstatement
hat 1t became necessary for me
o threaten to resign before the
natter was dropped. Not to be
ienied, this man was given a job
It the county sanitorium.
The administrator, once having
secured trained social service
worker prepared to establish de-
,artment and thus solve a great
problem. What happened? A few
lays previous TO january 2 when
he new department was to be
aunched. a kindly. superannuat-
d old gentleman appeared with a
etter. This proved to be an APP
by the chairman of the
board of commissioners to a new
Job, superintendent of buildings
and grounds. Upon comforting with
the commissioner. was informed
his elderly friend was to be paid
by the money provided for the
social service worker. II was his
dictum that a social service de-
partment was not necessary.
Refused Demands
During the political campaign
for reelection of one Of the COM
missioners over five years ago
donation was demanded
Of every employe in the hospital.
One of the ardent campaign man
ayers argued for about 10 minutes
pointing out that a substantial
donation was expected from me.
A spirited and firm refusal of his
demands brought this parting sally
as he went out the door. "All
right, doctor. 1t win be just too
bad for you after election"
II the two wings are built. the
beds win go above 400. The state
does not count beds in the corri-
doris. They must Be well placed in
adequate ward or room space. Once
this happens the hospital will
come under the
provisions of the state hospital
law. The law win then be enforced
BY the state which controls two
thirds of the funds for the hospital.