The Coolidge examiner., 1941-04-11

Phoenix, April 11-AriZona' S
state hospital, supposedly removed
from politics by HB No. 3, which
is now a law, drew the spotlight
this week in a series of incidents.
Rumored for some time, but this
week brought into the open by ex-
animation of payroll records in
the state auditors office, is the
political purge underway at the
hospital as the governor delays
appointment of a state hospital
board under provisions of HB No.
3.
Capitol reporters uncovered the
hitherto suppressed story of Win
ME Ruth Judd's attempt to escape
from the institution on April 2.
This incident was reported to the
governors office, which bottled up
the story for six days.
A tip given this column led to
the discovery that Minnie Stamp
ley, a colored maid and cook pre-
viously employed by Dr.. jeremiah
Metzger in his home at Tucson, is
now on the state payroll as a
hospital attendant" at $50 a
month, board and quarters, while
continuing in her role as maid
and cook for the doctor. Other
attendants at the hospital say the
woman's work is limited to maid
services and cook for the doctor.
Four members of the five-man
hospital board repeatedly have
been recommended to the COVER
nor. They are: Professor Skin
ner, of the Arizona State Teach
ers College at Tempe, an author
ity on abnormal psychology;
Charles Martin, Phoenix oil deal
er; Father Burns of Brophy col
lege, Phoenix, and DR.. Metzger.
1t is reported the doctor is re-
luctant to be a member OF the
board in addition to his duties as
superintendent. 1t also is reported
that assurances have been asked
of the other prospective appointees
that they will choose DR.. Metzger
to continue as superintendent.
|
DIR. Metzger is attempting to
place the blame for wholesale dis
missal of hospital attendants II
in the last 80 days on the state
legislature in letters bearing his
signature, which were given TO
six men and five women who were
discharged April 1. The letter.
under date of March %, 1941, was
exhibited to this column. 1t fol-
lows:
Because the legislature has no.
provided sufficient money for wag-
es of attendants, it is necessary al
this time to reduce the payroll. l.
is with regret, therefore, that II
will be necessary to temporarily
| dispense with your employment
after April l.
"Inasmuch as this situation arls
es through no fault of your own
unemployment would be in order
providing a larger appropriation
for wages is made at a possible
this word was underscored, extra
session of the legislature.
Every truly yours,
Jeremiah Metzger,
Superintendent"
DIR. MetZger made no attempt
to explain why nine Of the places
of the II attendants discharged
on April 1 were Immediately filled
by subsequent appointments.
He also hasn't made any state
ment in connection with figures
released by the U. S. Bureau OF
Health which show that legisla
ture appropriations in Arizona
provided a higher per capita main
tenance cost for the hospital IN
this state than of any of the eight
states in the mountain area.
The doctor told newsmen dur
ing the week that there have been
"eight or ten" escapes from the
, hospital since he became superin
i tendent. In all but two instances
the fleeing patients were recaptur
ed. Only two of the escapes were
reported to the newshawks by the