CARE OF ALASKAN INSANE IS
DISCUSSED BY DR. SLOAN IN
THE SEWARD MEDICAL PAPER
Seward has a new publication in
the shape of the “Quarterly Bulletin"
of the Alaska Medical Association, of
the Third division, compiled for
publication by Or. J. H. Romig and
Dr. J. M. Sloan.
One of the interesting articles in
the initial issue is by Dr. Sloan on the
care of the Alaska insane, a subject
which has been given considerable
publicity from time to tune.
Dr. Sloan’s article follows:
By Dr. J. M. Sloan. M. D.
(Acting Assistant Surgeon Marine
Hospital Service.)
We have no intention of reviewing
the treatment accorded our insane
from early history, but wish to re
view* the reason for their present
treatment in an outside sanitarium.
In 1909 Congress passed an Act.
Section 7 of which provides, among
other things, that the Secretary of the i
Interior shall advertise for bids for,
the custody of persons legally ad
judged insane in the District of A -
aska. Expenses of such care to be
paid by appropriations to T>e male by
Congress annually.
In 1914 advertisement was made
for bids and as all bids had to come
from west of the Rocky mountain
range only four were submitted, ami
of these the Sanitarium Co., doing
business at Portland. Oregon was con
sidered the lowest and best and they
were consequently given a five years
contract form March 19. 1914.
The contract, containing fourteen
articles, is too long to publish in full
but any one desiring a copy may ob
tain one by communicationg with the
writer.
The Sanitarium Co. is bonded in
the sum of five thousand dollars for
the faithful performance of the pro
visions of the contract and an addi
tional bond of two thousand dollais
as a guarantee for faith!u ly ami
honestly safeguarding all money and
property received from the patients.
Arctile 3 requires the company to
| permit either the Secretary of the In
terior, the Attorney General, or the
Governor of Alaska or their repre
sentatives, to inspect the premises.
At present we are fortunate in hav
I ing an Alaskan for Governor.
Article 9 will be quoted in full,
and follows:
“It is understood and agreed that if,
after the expiration of one year from
the 16th of January, 1915, the Secre
tary of the Interior is satisfied after
inquiry and inspection in Alaska,
‘either by himself or through his j
authorized representative, that there4
is any responsible asylum or sani
tarium in the Territory of Alaska for
the care of the insane, competent and
equipped to care for the then or
thereafter legally adjudged insane of
the Territory of Alaska, the secretary
of the interior in his discretion may
cancel this contract and call for bids
for the cure of the insane of Alaska, |
in order to afford asylums or sani
tariums in Alaska opportunity to bid
for the service if they so elect; if,
however, at expiration of said year
the Secretary of the Interior is sat
isfied that there is no responsible
asylum or sanitarium in the Territory
of Alaska competent and equipped for
the care of the insane of the Terri
ory. and this contract is not canceled,
then this contract shall continue in
full force and effect for the entire:
term of five years from January 16, j
1915/*
This is either an attempt on the
part of the government to encourage
the erection of an asylum in Alaska,
so that our legally-adjudged insane
may be properly cared for at home,
or it is another joke.
There are two ways such a sani
tarium may be erected in Alaska.
First, if the government will give
such a contract to a few Alaskans of
Territorial reputation, men worthy
and well qualified, as it has given to'
the Portland Co., the institution will
i be built. Second, if the Territorial
Legislature votes the money for its
erection. Why should individual capi
tal build such an institution without
! the contract?
, This great Territory should have
popcr institutions for the proper care*
of all its unfortunate citizens. At
! present there is wide spread dissatis
faction with the system of managing
the insane. We should see it re-|
medied and see them kept at home
and treated in a better institution,
and in a better climate, than in the
place where they are now crowded.
In the last magazine of the Grand
Igloo of Pioneers, one writer said tlie
contract for our insane should be
given to the highest and best bidder.
We agree with this sentiment that the
proper care of unfortunate people is
so important that the economic feat
ure should bo considered lightly.
However, if we figure the transporta
tion expense of traveling deputies and
of guards with their salaries while
taking out the 200 patients to Mount
Taber, you may see there is spent on
this item alone more money than
would build a magnificent institution.
The contract is signed on behalf of
the Sanitarium by Henry Waldo Coe,
president and treasurer.
Andy’s Express, phone Madison 14o. j
To Enhance the
the Perfection
of Your Recipe
Crescent
Baking
Powder
You may use it in the most
delicate cake fabric, for the
most equisite dainty of the
oven as well as the everyday
rolls and biscuits.
at AM. (JKOCKKS 2.H* I’KKt’AN
CRESCENT MFC. CO.. SUTHf _
SS.-S fll
Map Showing Mountain Ranges. Navigable Rivers in Heavy Black, and the Route of
the Government Railroads under Construction.
___ _1
(The principal known mineral and
mining districts are indicated in the
numbered circles, as follows: 1, Port
Dick district; 2, Sunrise district, gold;
3, Resurrection district, copper; 4,,
Falls Creek district, gold; 5, Latouche
district, copper; 6, the Bering River
coal fields; 7, the Valdez district, gold
and copper; 8, llliamna district, gold
and copper; 9, the Bonanza mining
district, owned by the Alaska Syndi
cate, copper; 10, the Matanuska coal
fields, and Matanuska iron and gold
district; 11* Willow Greek -district,1
gold; 12, Yentna district, gold; 13,
Talkeetna district, copper and gold;
14, Alt. McKinley district, gold; 15
Broad Pass district, gold and copper;
16, Nenana coal fields; 17, Kantishna
district, gold; 18, Hot Springs dis
trict, gold, silver, and tin; 19, Fair-;
banks district, gold; 20, Circle dis
trict. gold; 21, Rampart district, gold;
22, Chandlar district, gold; 23, Eagle
district, gold; 24, Koyukuk district,
gold and coal; 25, Kuskokwim dis- j
trict, gold; 26, Ruby district, gold and
coal; 27, Ophir district, gold; 28,
Iditarod district, gold; 29, George
town district, gold; 30 Nulato coal
fields; 31, 32, and 33 Seward Penin
sula districts, gold. From Cordova to
Kennicott, the Copper River & North
western Railroad, 199 miles owned by
the Alaska Syndicate. From Seward
to Nenana, Government railroad
route, 412 miles, with 38-mile branch
to Matanuska coal fields, and project
ed branch of 395 miles through the
Kuskokwim valley to the Yukon.)
WILSON WILL !
BE SWORN IN I
NEXT SUNDAY
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Feb. 27.
—President Wilson will take the oath
of ofllce privately in the White House
on Sounday in order to avoid any pos
sible complication arising from the
fact that March 3 falls on that date.
Advices received at the oftice of
Marshal Brenneman from Unga state
that John 0. Foster of that place has
been bound over by tbe commission
er’s court to the grand jury on the
charge of embezzlement by bailee. It
is alleged that Foster converted to his
own use moneys, belonging to the
estute of B. Ommundsen.
; -_ |
, Andy’s Express, phone Madison 143.
•
City Express meets all boats and
trains. Fhone Maine 122.
—
i
Oyster cocktails at The Branch.
I
This is your
LAST CHANCE
to buy goods damaged by smoke
and water. Everything will be
packed up and shipped by
j March l.
1 ELLSWORTH’S
SEATTLE
Invite you to send to them for such items in h URNT
TURE and DRY GOODS as cannot be readily sup
plied by the merchants in your community.
All such orders received by FREDERICK
& NELSON receive the prompt, personal
attention of an expert shopper and Parcel
Post shipments are sent POSTAGE PAID
to any point in Alaska.
NOTE: Inquiries for information relative to the New Spring Lines
of Dry Goods, Apparel and Accessories Will Ke Given Prompt
Attention.
H. V. FIohkn A. K. Davis
ALASKA TRANSFER
FI. V. HOBKN, Manaci'.i:
“
Coal, Wood and Ice
General Transferring*. Phones. Main IT anti 41
We Have
Hardy Northern Grown
Especially Adapted for
Alaska
Send for free catalog
SEATTLE SEED CO.
Dealers in seeds, poultry and
stock foods, fertilizers, etc.
. SEATTLE WASH.
Special Reduced
Prices on all
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GEORGE
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SEWARD. AIASKA
Hotel Seward
Zbindeji Bros. Prop.
Comfort and Hospitality at
Moderate Cost.
.311 Third Ave.SeattleVVa^h.
ANTON JOHANSEN
I
Seldovia, Alaska
First-class merchandise at rea
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D. C. B R Y A N T
Taxidermist - Tanner - Ku^maker
25 years practical experience
Animals, Heads, Birds, h ish set up
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with friends and the folks at home by
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THE ALASKA
Subscription price $3 per year in
advance. Subscribe now.
The choice news of the week is assembled for The
Alaska Weekly Post, making it a most desirable
publication fo rthose outside, who wish to keep in
touch with Territorial affairs.
t