The Daily Alaska empire., 1945-02-23
HANSEN REPLIES TO C0MMENT ON
 pI0NEERS' HOME
Letter 10 Legislators Offers 'Waisflines" as
 Proof of Food

Following the recent biennial in- spection visit of members of the Territorial Legislature to the Pio- neers' Home at Sitka, a letter ' from Superintendent Filler Hansen, directed to the respective chairmen of the Senate and House Terri torial Institutions Committees, has been received and read before full houses of the Legislature.
 In his letter, Superintendent Hansen replies to criticisms in the report of the investigation, directed at the administration of the home. Pertinent excerpts from the letter, addressed to Andrew Nerland and Wallace Porter, fellow:
 Tn connection with your recent visit to the Pioneers Home l am making the following statement as ia general explanation of prevailing conditions in the Home. When l receive transcript of the com- plaints I shall be pleased to answer each and all of them ill detail.
 "The complaints evidently cen- tered around the food. It always has, and always will be impossible to serve food in an institution that will please everybody. might add or anywhere else.
 T have now the best kitchen staff that has worked in the Home during my eleven and one-half ! years of administration. Further more, there are at present three cooks to take care of what ordi- narily was accomplished by two.
 q buy the best food in the market. do this not only because I want the Pioneers to have the best, but as a matter Of economy. Anyone in doubt about the quality of food served in the Home can examine my purchase vouchers on file in the Auditors office.
 The food question. therefore, as far as I am concerned, resolves itself into a matter of quantity and variety.
 The Legislature has always been most generous in dealing with my budget. It will be recalled they spiked it $7,000 one time for eggs. Neither the Chef nor myself are cut to make a record Especially not at the expense of any resident of the Home. There is never a shortage of food on the table Naturally, the quantity of each variety has to be estimated closely It has, of course, happened that one particular item ran out. But there never has been any time, at any meal, that there has not been plenty to eat. While we have re- ceived many men suffering from malnutrition there is not a single man during my time as Superin- tendent that has complained on that score. The best proof I can furnish on that subject is the Waistlines of the men in the Home T regret the Committee did not have more time to investigate the details or operation pertaining to the Home. I am certain that visit to Goddard would have disclosed conditions there to be eminently satisfactory.
 T am informed that little, if any, criticism was directed against me personally. However, since I am primarily responsible for the op- eration of the Home, the welfare of its residents and the acts and efficiency of it's employees, it is incumbent upon me to answer and refute any and all complaints that are not justified, and if they be meritorious to make corrections and adjustments accordingly. To that end I welcome any constructive criticism or suggestions that will improve conditions in the Pioneers Home