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 REPORT OF CONDITIONS 
 
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 State Institutions of Washington 
 
 TOGKTHKR WITH 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEEDED CHANGES 
 
 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION 
 
 SUBMITTED BY 
 
 MAY B. GOLDSMITH ANNA Y. REED, Ph. D. 
 
 OLYMPIA, WASH.: 
 
 E. % L. BOARDMAN, PUBLIC PRINTER 
 1912 
 
GIFT OF 
 
 DOCUMENTS 
 OEPT. 
 
REPORT OF CONDITIONS 
 
 IN THE 
 
 State Institutions of Washington 
 
 TOGETHKR \VITH 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEEDED CHANGES 
 
 IN 
 
 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION 
 
 SUBMITTED BY . 
 
 MAY B. GOLDSMITH ANNA Y. REED, Ph. D. 
 
 OLYMPIA, WASH.: 
 
 E. L. BOARDMAN, PUBLIC PRINTER 
 1912 
 
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Eeport on the State Institutions 
 
 of Washington. 
 
 Studies of state institutions similar to those which are in- 
 cluded in this pamphlet are not entirely new in this country, 
 although they have not before been made in the State of Wash- 
 ington, nor, so far as I have been able to learn, has any state 
 yet offered a report as comprehensive in scope, or as complete 
 in detail. 
 
 Efficiency experts have long been employed in various busi- 
 ness lines to examine organizations and corporations, to report 
 to the company's officials upon the exact status of the enter- 
 prise, and to make suggestions for increased efficiency. Sev- 
 eral states have followed this precedent in regard to their in- 
 stitutions, and, in addition to the regular governing boards, 
 are employing officials trained upon the academic side who are 
 known as inspectors of institutions. Such officials are appointed 
 by, and are responsible to, the executive. Their duties are two- 
 fold: (1) to keep themselves informed upon all lines of mod- 
 ern institutional progress and to pass on to the executive such 
 knowledge as may be useful to him in improving the institu- 
 tions of his state; (2) to visit and inspect all state institutions 
 and give to the executive, and through him to the public, a fair 
 and non-partisan view of the actual conditions therein, and 
 through the same channels, if need be, to censure their defects, 
 or defend them against false impressions and unjust criticism. 
 The powers of such officials are purely advisory, and they have 
 no authority over institutional affairs. 
 
 3892S5 
 
lieport of Conditions in the 
 
 Since assuming the duties of Chief Executive of the state I 
 have often felt the need of such an advisor, but our statutes 
 make no provision for the appointment of such an official, and 
 there is no appropriation for the payment of traveling expenses 
 incurred in such service. Moreover, in order to secure both 
 efficiency and absolute non-partisanship, inspectorial work 
 should be performed by one who is familiar with modern methods 
 of securing information, weighing evidence, establishing facts 
 and summarizing conclusions, and at the same time it should 
 be performed without remuneration other than traveling ex- 
 penses. The trained academic worker who can render unpaid 
 service is not always at Executive command. 
 
 Some months ago, in discussing this matter with a number 
 of our legislators and business men, my attention was called to 
 the fact that there had quite recently come to our state one who 
 had been academically trained for such work, and who also had 
 the freedom necessary to make it a success. I at once entered 
 into communication with Mrs. J. A. Reed, of Seattle, ascer- 
 tained that she had received her doctorate in sociology, psy- 
 chology and history from the University of Wisconsin, that she 
 was an experienced educator and investigator, and was glad to 
 render this assistance without official recognition, and without 
 remuneration. For the past eight months Mrs. Reed's time has 
 been placed at my disposal, and, as my personal representative, 
 she has made complete reports upon all the institutions of both 
 Washington and Oregon. 
 
 Miss May Goldsmith has been associated with Mrs. Reed and 
 has accompanied her upon several of her visits. To her, also, 
 I desire to express my appreciation of the assistance which she 
 has rendered and the time which she has given to the work. 
 
 Our State Board of Control is employed to oversee and ad- 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 vise regarding the business side of our institutions ; the ma- 
 terial side is comparatively easily supervised by executives, and 
 I had believed our institutions to be in good condition in this 
 respect, but I was aware of the fact that there were some de- 
 ficiencies in those lines of work which may be generally termed 
 "educational." Therefore, my instructions were to make a de- 
 tailed study of the conditions and needs of each institution, 
 barring the business conduct only, and to report the facts ex- 
 actly as they existed, whether creditable or discreditable. I de- 
 sired to know both the best and the worst which was to be found 
 in our institutions. 
 
 My instructions have been carried out in every detail. I en- 
 dorse the reports as a statement of fact; I endorse the recom- 
 mendations contained therein and I give them to the public 
 exactly as they have come to me. 
 
 It has, for a long time, been my desire to secure several 
 changes in our statutes relative to court procedure and to cor- 
 rectional institutions. Most of these changes are sufficiently 
 emphasized in the reports, but there are two which seem to me 
 especially desirable to which I would call the attention of the 
 public, and for which I bespeak its support. 
 
 An adult probation law which would save scores of men and 
 boys from imprisonment, and at the same time would meet the 
 ends of justice more completely than do our present statutes, 
 is one of the strongest demands of the present. 
 
 A second problem which is claiming the attention of many 
 executives, prison officials, courts and legislators, but for which 
 no solution has as yet been found, is the establishment of some 
 system by which men sentenced to our correctional institutions 
 may be encouraged to continue, or to assume, their responsi- 
 bilities as economic factors in the state. Reformation' is rapidly 
 
6 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 supplanting retribution in our legal procedure, but there is 
 danger lest we progress so rapidly that we allow sentiment to 
 defeat the ends of justice; therefore, I hesitate to use the ex- 
 pression, "payment of prisoners," lest the principles which I 
 have in mind be misunderstood. Inmates of penitentiaries and 
 reformatories do not earn the cost of their keeping, and the 
 state is supposed to provide all that is reasonable in the shape 
 of necessities. Payment of prisoners upon the theory that they 
 actually earn wages cannot be justified, and should not be en- 
 couraged, but payment of wages in the form of a gratuity, as 
 a part of prison discipline, as a means of economic training, or 
 as a means of forcing an offender to recognize his obligations 
 to society should, I believe, be commended. I recommend the 
 introduction, into our state penitentiary, of a monetary system 
 which will permit offenders to assume some responsibility for 
 family dependents, or to make restitution to others who have 
 suffered because of their crimes. This would have a beneficial 
 effect upon the offender, the family, and society in general. 
 
 The reports upon our state institutions have furnished much 
 detailed information, and many suggestions which I was not 
 formerly in a position to secure. My object in printing these 
 reports as official documents, is that the citizens of the state 
 may share with me the information which I have secured and 
 may co-operate with me in furthering the interests of institu- 
 tional life. 
 
 April 12, 1912. Governor. 
 
 Olympia, Washington. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
 
 To the Honorable M. E. Hay, Governor of the State of Wash- 
 ington: 
 
 SIR: In accordance with your request, we have visited the 
 following state institutions and offer for your consideration our 
 conclusions relative to their conditions and needs : State Train- 
 ing School, State Reformatory, State Penitentiary, State School 
 for the Deaf, State School for the Blind, State Institution for 
 the Feeble-Minded, Eastern Hospital for the Insane, Western 
 Hospital for the Insane. 
 
 The purpose of these studies and your instructions regarding 
 the character of the reports have been kept constantly in mind. 
 
 Our preparation for this responsibility and the point of view 
 from which we have approached our task have already been 
 mentioned by you. 
 
 The methods employed in our studies, and our sources of in- 
 formation have been mentioned in each report, in order that 
 you might be able to judge how far we have made use of all the 
 material available for such studies, to what extent our proced- 
 ure was in accord with modern scientific methods of investiga- 
 tion, and in order that you might know upon what bases we 
 have stated our facts and offered our recommendations. 
 
 Careful notes have been made of all statements or complaints 
 received regarding each institution, and also of each personal 
 observation made by us during our visits. These notes have 
 furnished the basis for our reports and have been filed for future 
 reference. 
 
 In summarizing our reports we have been careful to dis- 
 tinguish between the actual conditions and practices and the 
 personal opinions of the superintendents. It is by no means 
 uncommon for the general public to confuse the wishes of our 
 superintendents with their practices ; to fail to distinguish be- 
 
8 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 tween those portions of institutional work for which the public 
 is responsible and those for which it is legitimate to hold a 
 superintendent responsible. Frequently, some material condi- 
 tion, or some legislative need, for which the public is responsible, 
 is hindering an efficient official from conducting his institution 
 along the most approved lines. For these reasons, we have 
 tried to secure the personal point of view of each superintendent 
 and to give him credit for such modern ideas as, for various 
 reasons, he may not as yet have introduced. 
 
 Reports of this character are supposed to be based upon per- 
 sonal knowledge and observation. In one or two instances 
 where such is not the case, and where the statement is of im- 
 portance, our authority has been given in foot notes. 
 
 After the completion of the report, each superintendent has 
 received a copy and has been offered an opportunity to verify, 
 or challenge, any statement contained therein. 
 
 We are pleased to acknowledge the courtesies shown us by 
 the different superintendents, to again thank them for the aid 
 rendered us in our studies, and to express our gratification at 
 the uniformity with which the accuracy of the reports has been 
 endorsed. Should any benefit come to our institutional life 
 through the medium of these studies we trust that each super- 
 intendent may feel that it is largely due to his efforts and to 
 his interests in the undertaking. 
 
 ANNA Y. REED. 
 MAY B. GOLDSMITH. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 REPORT ON THE EASTERN HOSPITAL FOR 
 THE INSANE MEDICAL LAKE. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND METHODS OF 
 INVESTIGATION. 
 
 In offering this report for your consideration we desire to 
 call attention to two difficulties which must be met by any in- 
 spector of institutions sheltering the insane. 
 
 First. That inmate evidence is of no value whatever, and 
 that the testimony of the average friend or relative cannot be 
 depended upon. 
 
 Second. That such study, unless made by professional ex- 
 perts, cannot extend to the medical methods employed in the 
 institution. 
 
 In all our other state reports our training has furnished us 
 with definite knowledge, based upon definite and well known 
 principles, which has permitted us to form independent opinions 
 as to the professional conduct of the institution, the value of 
 the methods employed, and the individual abilities of the official 
 corps. The broad general principles of investigation are as 
 easily adapted to one institution as to another, but from the 
 strictly medical point of view our work, with reference to the 
 insane, is, of a necessity, non-professional. 
 
 Our sources of information and our methods of judging of 
 the conduct of the institution are 
 
 Familiarity with the best literature and theories relative to 
 the handling of the insane. 
 
 Two personal visits to the institution. 
 
 Comparison with other institutions of a similar nature, and 
 conferences with the superintendent with whom we have dis- 
 cussed at length the various problems involved in the institu- 
 tional care and the professional treatment of the insane. 
 
 We desire to take this opportunity of again thanking the 
 superintendent for the courtesies extended during our visit, and 
 
10 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 for his willingness to inform us upon the professional side of 
 the work. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 The center building of this institution which contains the 
 administrative offices, the superintendent's residence, and sev- 
 eral wards for each sex, is the older portion of the institution, 
 and is a veritable "fire-trap." The wards are constructed after 
 the old corridor type with rooms on either side so that portions 
 of the sitting rooms are poorly ventilated and lighted. Every 
 ward is supplied with chemical extinguishers, and with fire hose. 
 The bath tubs are filled with water at night and fire buckets are 
 placed near by in case of emergency. There are four spiral fire 
 escapes for this section alone. Fire drill is held every Saturday 
 and the wards are cleared in from one and a half to two minutes. 
 
 The newer portions of the building, and those now under con- 
 struction, are fire-proof. Two new buildings contain men's 
 wards and form separate units. One of the buildings under 
 construction will provide three additional wards for women, 
 and the other will care for about one hundred men. This latter 
 building is detached, and is being constructed primarily for the 
 care of the criminal insane. There are about thirty single 
 rooms and an effort is being made to combine the prison and 
 hospital features in such a manner that the dangerous insane 
 criminal may be properly guarded, and at the same time receive 
 the benefit of hospital treatment. 
 
 The buildings now completed contain six wards for women 
 and nine for men. 
 
 Dining Room. There is one general dining room for each 
 sex. In addition there are four ward dining rooms ; one for 
 aged and infirm women, two for infirm men, and one for the 
 men in the criminal ward. 
 
 Linen is provided for all tables except those occupied by the 
 untidy. The table service is entirely satisfactory, dishes are of 
 white enamel ware and plated knives and forks are used. 
 
 Kitchen. All food is prepared in one kitchen and is sent to 
 the various dining rooms ready to serve. The superintendent is 
 
State Institutions of Washington 11 
 
 constantly annoyed by the unsatisfactory conditions under 
 which the culinary department is conducted. The location, size, 
 and equipment of the kitchen are unsatisfactory, and it is to be 
 hoped that an appropriation will be made for remedying this 
 defect at the next legislative session. 
 
 Dormitories. Wards are provided with both dormitories and 
 single rooms. Beds and bedding are entirely satisfactory. 
 Both straw ticks and mattresses are in use. 
 
 Sitting Rooms. Each ward has its own sitting room and, 
 barring the poorly ventilated corridors, they are large enough 
 and fairly well equipped. There are also screened balconies 
 which may be used by the patients for outdoor exercise. 
 
 Assembly Hall. There is an assembly hall large enough to 
 accommodate all who are able to attend any entertainment, or 
 dance. 
 
 Library. There is no library, but books may be taken to the 
 sitting rooms and wards by those who desire. The state allows 
 this institution one hundred dollars per year for library pur- 
 poses. There are about five hundred volumes. The superin- 
 tendent has a carefully assorted subscription list comprising 
 thirty to forty of the best magazines. These are enjoyed by 
 some of the patients, but many are so destructive that no read- 
 ing matter can be given them. 
 
 Gymnasium. There is no gymnasium. 
 
 Farm. This institution is very fortunate in having both a 
 good farm, and a superintendent who is an efficient director of 
 farm work. The one great need is more pasturage. Garden 
 land is abundant, there is excellent equipment for cows, poultry, 
 and pigs, but because of insufficient pasture it is necessary to 
 buy some milk. 
 
 The institution has its own ice house and cold storage plant, 
 bakery, laundry and slaughter house. 
 
 Hospital Farm. What is known as the hospital farm con- 
 feists of a detached cottage, barn and ice house one and one-half 
 miles from the main buildings. The cottage has accommoda- 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 tions for about twenty patients, is looked after by two officers, 
 offers home cooking and family life to a few of the patients 
 who can be trusted to have the benefits of its superior ad- 
 vantages. 
 
 THE OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 The total number of employees is 90. This includes the 
 superintendent and two medical assistants, a supervisor of male 
 attendants, a matron, steward, nurses and attendants, and the 
 various other employees necessary in conducting such an in- 
 stitution. 
 
 A third medical assistant has recently been appointed and 
 will go on duty at once. 
 
 At the present there is no study class for attendants, but the 
 superintendent is preparing to inaugurate a course of lectures 
 dealing with practical problems relative to the care of the 
 insane. 
 
 Male attendants are employed in the men's wards, female at- 
 tendants in the women's. The hours of duty are about the same 
 as in our other state institutions. Rules for the conduct of at- 
 tendants are very strict and under no conditions are they al- 
 lowed to strike a patient, even in self-defense. 
 
 COMMITMENT AND RELEASE. 
 
 Patients are committed to the insane hospitals by the courts. 
 They may be released by the superintendent, or by the court, 
 without the advice and consent of the superintendent. 
 
 Women are brought to the hospital by attendants of their 
 own sex. This hospital has its own traveling attendants. 
 
 Convicts who become insane at the reformatory or peniten- 
 tiary are usually transferred to this hospital. 
 
 PAROLE. 
 
 The institution has fifty patients, thirty-four men and sixteen 
 women, on its books as paroled patients. The superintendent 
 generally secures some friend to look after this class of pa- 
 tients, to write him regularly as to their progress, and to in- 
 form him in case medical attention is demanded. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 13 
 
 The question of complete recovery is most difficult to pass 
 judgment upon. Each superintendent has his own standard by 
 which to estimate percentages of recovery and improvement. 
 Based upon total commitment this institution reports twenty- 
 two per cent, recoveries. 
 
 CLASSIFICATIONS. 
 
 At date there are eight hundred and fifty-two patients within 
 the institution, five hundred and seventy-one males, and two hun- 
 dred and eighty-one females. 
 
 Upon admission to the institution patients are placed in one 
 of the receiving wards of which there are two for each sex. The 
 period of detention in these wards is utilized for observation and 
 classification, and the length of detention is dependent upon the 
 condition of the individual. 
 
 Aside from the separation of sexes, personal characteristics 
 furnish the basis for different lines of classification, such as 
 
 Physical condition strong or infirm; 
 
 Personal habits tidy or untidy; 
 
 Tendencies suicidal, noisy, violent, quiet, etc. ; 
 
 Mental qualities so far a's possible. 
 
 At present the institution is not equipped to segregate the 
 criminal insane who require care combining the characteristics 
 of both jail and hospital. There are thirty convict insane with- 
 in the institution, and seventeen criminal insane at Walla Walla. 
 
 The number of epileptics is not sufficient to warrant separate 
 classification. 
 
 The superintendent estimates that the institution is caring 
 for about one hundred mental defectives who should be in our 
 Institution for Feeble-Minded, provided it were prepared to re- 
 ceive adults. 
 
 There are also quite a number of non-resident insane being 
 supported in this institution at state expense. This fact em- 
 phasizes the need of more careful investigation into the family 
 history of each case by the committing court, and opens the 
 question of the advisability of returning such patients to their 
 own state, rather than taxing our citizens for their support. 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 Occasionally observation shows a patient, who is not insane, 
 to have been committed to the hospital. Such cases are dis- 
 charged by the superintendent. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Discipline, as a purely punitive or corrective measure, is 
 usually useless in dealing with the insane. Every superintend- 
 ent, however, must have at his command some means of restraint 
 as a precautionary measure both for the safety of the patients 
 and as a protection to others from violent and irresponsible 
 acts. 
 
 The two commonest means of restraint are the strong room 
 and the camisole. 
 
 Wards utilized for the confinement of violent patients are pro- 
 vided with strong rooms which are ceiled in instead of plastered ; 
 the lower half of the window guard is of wood, and they are 
 destitute of all furniture which can be destroyed, with which the 
 patient might injure himself, or others who are compelled to go 
 into the room. An hour or two of confinement is often sufficient 
 to quiet a patient but longer periods are used when necessary. 
 
 The camisole is a canvas jacket, which has .supplanted the old 
 strait jacket, and allows more freedom in movements. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 Medical? Treatment. It is needless to state that many pa- 
 tients who enter the hospital are in an enfeebled condition and 
 require considerable medical attention. 
 
 The institution is well equipped for surgery and the wards 
 have their own dressing rooms. 
 
 Much of the medical treatment applied to the insane is not 
 readily understood by the general public. There are, however, 
 some forms of treatment such as the continuous bath and the 
 pack table with which all might be familiar. 
 
 In the infirmary wards bath tubs are a necessity, but when- 
 ever possible, in the other wards, the spray is used. Water sec- 
 tions are thoroughly modern and as nearly perfect as may be. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 15 
 
 Physical Exercise. There is no gymnasium in the institution 
 and hence during the winter season recreational facilities are 
 confined to daily walks, and to the social evening when such as 
 are able take part in the dancing. 
 
 In the summer months there are various forms of amusement 
 which combine physical exercise. A bath house has been built 
 at Medical Lake, bathing suits are provided by the state, and 
 both sexes are allowed to swim and bathe. Outdoor games are 
 also freely indulged in ; baseball is played every day when the 
 weather permits, as are also basket ball and croquet. Most of 
 the equipment for outdoor games is purchased from the hospital 
 amusement fund, which is not a part of the legislative appro- 
 priation. 
 
 AMUSEMENTS. 
 
 Indoor games cards, chess and checkers are furnished by 
 the state. 
 
 Wednesday evenings all patients who are able assemble in the 
 auditorium for music, moving pictures, dancing or amateur 
 theatricals. Patients are usually allowed to participate in 
 square dances only, and in choosing their partners male patients 
 must select from women attendants while male attendants select 
 women patients. The institution has three phonographs. 
 
 RELIGIOUS SERVICE. 
 
 Services are held regularly every Sunday afternoon. Oc- 
 casionally the Catholics hold a special service when a priest can 
 be secured. None is near enough to be in attendance every week. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 The state provides clothing for all hospital patients, although 
 relatives and friends are always encouraged to do this if they 
 are able. A portion of the men's suits for both insane hospitals 
 are made in the tailor shops of the State Penitentiary. Both 
 sexes are provided with underwear. Women are obliged to use 
 night clothing which is furnished by the state. No night cloth- 
 ing is furnished for men, but the superintendent intends to place 
 an order for the same in his next requisition. Handkerchiefs 
 
16 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 are furnished for both sexes. Slippers are worn in the building 
 and a complete change is made when patients go outside. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 Our methods of judging of the dietary offered by any insti- 
 tution was described in the recent report on the Penitentiary. 
 We have no criticism to make, and no suggestion to offer with 
 reference to this department at Medical Lake. 
 
 As has already been stated garden land is abundant and the 
 farm is carefully supervised. Vegetables are raised in quantity, 
 facilities for poultry raising are being constantly increased, 
 and the number of hogs is sufficient so that not only ham, bacon, 
 and lard are provided for this institution, but a surplusage has 
 been utilized by one of the other institutions. 
 
 Beef is bought on the hoof. This has secured a better quality 
 and has resulted in economy. 
 
 OCCUPATIONS AND INDUSTRIES. 
 
 Hospital Industries. There are no regular hospital indus- 
 tries. The superintendent is not altogether opposed to them, 
 but his study of institutions where such industries have been 
 introduced has convinced him that the death rate is higher and 
 the health of the patients less uniformly good. 
 
 Farm Industries. From 70 to 150 patients are employed in 
 farm work, the number varying according to the season. The 
 detached farm gives 18 or 20 patients the very best kind of 
 employment, but only those who can be trusted are allowed its 
 advantages. 
 
 The women pick berries, peas, beans, and flowers. It is un- 
 fortunate that there is no greenhouse and therefore no flowers 
 in the winter. 
 
 Domestic Industries furnish occupation for many of both 
 sexes, 6 are regularly employed in the sewing room, 29 in the 
 laundry, 15 in the kitchen, 2 in the bakery, 55 in the dining 
 room, and all the housekeeping for the wards is done by the 
 patients. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 17 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That the name of this institution be changed from "East- 
 ern Hospital for the Insane," to "Medical Lake State Hospital." 
 This recommendation is based upon the same reasons offered in 
 support of changing the name of the Institution for Feeble- 
 Minded, and is endorsed by the superintendent. 
 
 2. That some further effort be made to introduce industries 
 into the institution. We were greatly impressed with the fact 
 that so many patients passed a large part of the day in idle- 
 ness, and recommend that a study be made of the use of indus- 
 tries in the various hospitals of the country looking toward 
 improvement in this line. 
 
 3. That a detention hospital be provided in every large 
 community; at the present time insanity cases are confined in 
 jails until permanently disposed of. The cruelty, injustice, and 
 evil results of such a system are self-evident, and a change in 
 our laws should be made at the first opportunity. 
 
 4. That a psycopathic hospital be established which would 
 serve as a center for receiving, classifying and distributing pa- 
 tients afflicted with nervous diseases. 
 
 Students of this subject maintain that eighty per cent, of 
 recoveries are made during the first year of treatment, and that 
 such an hospital would save about seventy-five per cent, of this 
 number from going to insane hospitals at all. Massachusetts 
 is establishing such an hospital at a cost of five hundred thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 5. That public administrators, or guardians, be appointed 
 to safeguard the property rights of patients. This has also 
 been mentioned with reference to the feeble-minded. 
 
 6. That such changes be made in our laws governing release 
 of patients from insane hospitals as will protect the public and 
 posterity from the danger arising from release at the will of the 
 courts. 
 
 2 
 
18 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 Except in case of cure, release should be permitted only upon 
 the authority of the superintendent, or upon the order of a 
 commission of medical experts. The incurable insane should be 
 forced to choose between permanent custodial care or steriliza- 
 tion. 
 
 7. That the necessary appropriation be made for a new 
 kitchen and for one or more greenhouses. 
 
 January 23, 1912. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 19 
 
 REPORT ON THE WESTERN HOSPITAL FOR 
 THE INSANE FORT STEILACOOM. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND METHODS OF 
 INVESTIGATION. 
 
 Inasmuch as the report recently completed upon the Eastern 
 Hospital, at Medical Lake, contains a full discussion of this 
 topic, we shall avoid repetition by referring to that report. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 The main building contains the administrative offices, super- 
 intendent's residence, auditorium, and several wards for each 
 sex. The building is not fire-proof, but is supplied with fire 
 escapes, chemical extinguishers, and fire hose. Electric wires 
 are all encased. The institution has its regular fire department 
 with general fire drill once a month. 
 
 Two detached fire-proof buildings care for about 150 patients 
 each. So far as possible helpless patients from chronic wards 
 are assigned to these buildings. 
 
 A one-story frame cottage furnishes a most satisfactory 
 home for 24 patients who are employed in farm work. This 
 cottage contains sleeping quarters, sitting room, and bath. 
 Patients go to the main building for their meals. 
 
 A number of small cottages are occupied by assistant phy- 
 sicians, and other employees. 
 
 Several small buildings, either detached, or connected with 
 the main building, contain the kitchen, shops, laundry, morgue 
 and chapel, and sleeping rooms for a number of employees. 
 
 The institution has its own electric light and water system, 
 cold storage plant, and slaughter house. 
 
 The lighting plant is not in operation after 10 p. m., and 
 nurses are dependent upon lanterns throughout the building. 
 This seemed to us most undesirable, and there might be in- 
 stances in which serious accidents would result. 
 
20 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 The Power House is situated within the quadrangle formed 
 by the main building and is in close proximity to the older por- 
 tion of the building. One can hardly conceive of any reasonable 
 excuse for selecting such a location, the smoke is a constant 
 nuisance, and danger from fire or explosion is always threat- 
 ening. 
 
 The Kitchen is new and is very satisfactory. The floor is of 
 tile, the lower part of the walls are of enamelled brick, and the 
 upper part of pressed brick. The ceiling is steel, and the room 
 is well lighted and well ventilated. It is equipped with all mod- 
 ern conveniences, steam cookers, roaster, electric potato peeler, 
 tea and coffee urns, and range. 
 
 Cooks and their assistants wear white uniforms. 
 
 The Bakery is next to the kitchen and is also new and thor- 
 oughly modern in every respect. 
 
 The Auditorium is in the main building. It seats about 600 
 and is therefore hardly large enough for the institution. It has 
 a very fair stage and a piano. It is used for the weekly enter- 
 tainments, dances, and religious services. 
 
 Wards comprise dormitories and single rooms, sitting rooms, 
 dining rooms, and baths. There are 20 wards for males, and 
 12 for females. 
 
 Dormitories are usually small, ten to twelve beds being the 
 maximum. Unfortunately the crowded condition of the institu- 
 tion has required the placing of two patients in each single 
 room, and in some wards beds are to be found in the sitting 
 rooms. 
 
 Beds and bedding are entirely satisfactory. Mattresses of 
 excelsior and cotton are made by the patients and are used on 
 all beds except those in the untidy wards. Straw ticks are pro- 
 vided for these. 
 
 Sitting Rooms. Many of the older wards are of the corridor 
 type with dormitories on either side. In such cases some por- 
 tions of the sitting rooms are dark and poorly ventilated. The 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 newer wards have avoided this difficulty and have very light, 
 pleasant rooms. 
 
 Nearly all the wards are connected with screened courts. 
 These are greatly enjoyed by the patients, especially by the 
 men who use them for smoking rooms. 
 
 We cannot too heartily commend the superintendent and his 
 assistants for the excellent condition in which we found the 
 sitting rooms, and for the general atmosphere of cheerfulness 
 which was everywhere apparent. In every ward, except those 
 occupied by violent patients, we found an abundance of bloom- 
 ing plants hyacincths, tulips, lilies, ferns, and hanging bas- 
 kets. In nearly every ward there was a clock, pictures, rugs, 
 tables, sofa pillows, and fancy work of various kinds. In every 
 possible place there was a "cozy corner" or an attractive win- 
 dow seat. The windows were all prettily draped with muslin 
 curtains, and everywhere one detected the little touches which 
 go so far toward making an institution into a home. 
 
 Dining Room. There is no general dining room. Each ward 
 has its own, and cares for its own table service. Meals are sent 
 from the general kitchen. This system is a little more expensive 
 than the community dining room, but is an aid in maintaining a 
 proper classification of patients and the superintendent con- 
 siders it more satisfactory. 
 
 The table service in any given ward depends upon the class 
 of patients occupying the ward. China dishes, table linen, 
 napkins and plated knives and forks are furnished in the con- 
 valescent wards and in some others. Flowers are used freely 
 on the tables. In other wards, occupied by violent or untidy 
 patients, oil cloth covers the table, enamel ware takes the place 
 of china, and in some wards knives and forks cannot be allowed 
 the patients. 
 
 The Institutional Farm is not all that could be wished. It 
 comprises 615 acres, but a small part only is tillable. How- 
 ever, the best possible use seems to have been made of the farm 
 land. All the vegetables used are raised except potatoes. There 
 is not much fruit. 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 Greenhouses are under the care of an excellent gardner who 
 employs 8 to 10 patients as assistants. 
 
 Just at present a number of the older farm buildings are be- 
 ing town down and new ones are being erected. A new dairy 
 barn with capacity for 100 cows was completed about a year 
 ago. The herd now numbers 80, almost entirely Holstein. 
 Separators are not used as milk is given the patients without 
 separating the cream. Milking machines are not used. 
 
 A new pig house is being constructed, and the equipment for 
 poultry is being increased. There are now 400 laying hens and 
 the superintendent plans to increase this number to 3,000 as 
 rapidly as possible. The poultryman is also experimenting with 
 turkeys and hopes to make them a success. Five incubators are 
 in use. 
 
 THE OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 The total number of employees is 150. This includes the 
 superintendent and three assistants, a supervisor of male attend- 
 ants, a matron, steward, nurses for the surgical wards, 48 at- 
 tendants in charge of wards, and 44 assistant attendants, and 
 the other employees necessary in such an institution. 
 
 There is no study class and no training school. Inexperienced 
 employees begin at low wages under the supervision of experi- 
 enced attendants. Wages are from $30 to $50 per month. 
 
 Women attendants are employed in women's wards. In six 
 of the male wards a man and wife are employed. The superin- 
 tendent reports most satisfactory results from this system, and 
 the general appearance of the wards where the plan is being 
 tried was more attractive and more cheerful than in wards 
 where male attendants were in entire charge. 
 
 Hours of duty are practically the same as in our other in- 
 stitutions. Days are long, but one day of freedom is allowed 
 every two weeks, and one vacation week every six months. 
 
 COMMITMENT AND RELEASE. 
 
 See report on the Eastern Hospital. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 23 
 
 PAROLE. 
 
 The same general system is in use in this institution as at 
 the Eastern Hospital. Ground parole is first given the patient, 
 and then if the results are satisfactory a full parole. 
 
 Thirty-one per cent, of recoveries are reported for the last 
 biennial period. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 The system of classification does not differ materially from 
 that in use at Medical Lake. There are no criminal insane in 
 this institution, and less violent patients in proportion to the 
 population. 
 
 The total number of patients is 1,386, 862 males and 524 
 females. 
 
 There is one general receiving ward for each sex. Two epi- 
 leptic wards are maintained, one for each sex, but as there are 
 only 37 male epileptics and 22 female it is necessary, owing to 
 the crowded condition of the institution, to assign other patients 
 to the epileptic wards. The superintendent had hoped to be 
 able to transfer about 300 patients to the new Northern Hos- 
 pital in April; but he now fears that the transfer cannot be 
 made until fall. 
 
 There are 15 male tubercular patients, and 3 or 4 female. 
 So far as possible these patients sleep out of doors. 
 
 The superintendent estimates that there are about 150 feeble- 
 minded patients, and quite a number of non-resident insane. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 This topic is discussed in the report on the Eastern Hospital. 
 We found little difference in the two institutions, except that 
 wristlets are more commonly used at this institution than is the 
 camisole. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 The health of all patients receives the most careful attention. 
 
 A very complete hydrotherapeutic equipment has recently 
 been installed at an expense of $5,000, including the cost of the 
 building. This is situated next to the acute and infirmary 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 wards on the male side of the institution. Later the same sys- 
 tem may be added on the women's side. 
 
 The State Dentist has visited the hospital. 
 
 Outdoor exercise is taken daily by all patients. Baseball is 
 played in the summer but there are no other outdoor games. 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 
 Five hundred dollars is appropriated by the state biennially 
 for library purposes. There are 450 volumes of fiction used by 
 the patients ; 109 medicial books, and 50 professional books for 
 the use of the officers. Twenty magazines, and several daily 
 papers are also paid for from this fund. 
 
 Books are quite in demand in this institution and the library 
 would seem far too small, and too narrow in its scope, to meet 
 the needs of the patients. 
 
 AMUSEMENTS. 
 
 Indoor games are furnished by the state. There is a piano in 
 the convalescent ward and an organ in one of the others. 
 
 Every Wednesday evening either moving picture entertain- 
 ments, or dances, are held. An attendant orchestra of nine 
 pieces furnishes music for dances and also for concerts. The 
 institution has a graphophone. 
 
 RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 
 
 Protestant service is held every Sunday morning, Catholic 
 service once each month on Tuesday. In case of illness, or 
 death, among Catholics the priest always receives notification 
 and responds if possible. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is furnished by the state. This is the only Wash- 
 ington institution caring for adults in which night clothing is 
 furnished for both sexes. Handkerchiefs are furnished for 
 both sexes. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 25 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 The food furnished by this institution meets the requirements 
 laid down by students of institutional dietary standards, and 
 referred to in our report on the State Penitentiary. 
 
 INDUSTRIES. 
 
 The superintendent of this institution is very much in favor 
 of hospital industries. For several years some industrial work 
 has been carried on and the last legislature appropriated $2,000 
 to encourage the further development of the same. 
 
 Industrial Occupations for Men. All mattresses used in the 
 institution are made by patients ; beds were formerly so made 
 but that industry was not continued. 
 
 A carpenter shop under a skilled supervisor employs several 
 patients in repair work and in the making of new furniture. 
 Also much of the farm building is done by the patients. 
 
 The tin shop keeps the institution supplied with tin ware of 
 all kinds, and some work is done by patients in the machine 
 shop. 
 
 Male patients are also employed in Domestic Industries, such 
 as laundry, bakery, kitchen, soap making, and care of male 
 wards. 
 
 Farm Industries employ many of the patients all the year, 
 but especially in the summer time. 
 
 Industrial Occupations for Women. Domestic industries are 
 the main dependence in providing occupation for women. In 
 addition to the care of their own wards the women do the iron- 
 ing electric irons are not in use fancy work according to 
 their individual tastes, and all the sewing for the institution 
 except the woven underwear and the men's suits. 
 
 Ten women are employed in the sewing room about six hours 
 a day. Five machines are in constant use and the work is a 
 pleasure to the women as well as a saving to the state. 
 
 In summer the women pick flowers, small fruits, and vege- 
 tables. 
 
26 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 The superintendent has recently employed an industrial 
 teacher from the east who will introduce basketry, rug, carpet 
 and linen weaving. The most difficult proposition now is the 
 lack of room for such occupations. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That the word "insane" be dropped from the name of the 
 institution for the same reason as was offered with reference to 
 the Institution for the Feeble-Minded, and the Eastern Hos- 
 pital. 
 
 2. That the state be as liberal as possible in encouraging 
 hospital industries. 
 
 3-6. Recommendations 3, 4, 5 and 6 in our report on the 
 Eastern Hospital are also applicable to this institution. 
 
 7. That the next legislature be urged to make an appro- 
 priation for a superintendent's residence. Not only is this de- 
 sirable as a general policy with reference to all of our institu- 
 tions, but it is almost imperative in this institution because the 
 rooms now used by the superintendent are needed by the institu- 
 tion for other purposes. With slight alterations they would 
 furnish good quarters for the industrial work. 
 
 March 7, 1912. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 REPORT ON THE STATE SCHOOL FOR THE 
 BLIND-VANCOUVER, WASH. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND METHODS OF 
 INVESTIGATION. 
 
 Before visiting this institution a careful study was made of 
 the most recent theories regarding the education of the blind 
 and the most successful methods employed in their instruction. 
 For some years we have been more or less familiar with the work 
 of several eastern institutions engaged in this profession; we 
 have visited the Oregon State School, at Salem, and have com- 
 pared the methods and advantages of that school with those of 
 ours. Personal attention has been given to the study of the 
 institution in all its various departments. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 The State School for the Blind is located on a seven-acre 
 tract of land within the city limits of Vancouver. 
 
 At the present time the only building in use for all purposes 
 is very old, ill-adapted to modern needs, unsanitary, hopelessly 
 dilapidated, and most dangerous for blind children in case of 
 fire. 
 
 It is unnecessary to waste time picturing dormitory condi- 
 tions in this building because two new fire-proof cottages will be 
 ready for occupancy within a few weeks. These cottages, one 
 for either sex, are, with minor changes, duplicates of the cot- 
 tages mentioned in detail in the report on the School for the 
 Deaf. The older and younger children will be entirely sep- 
 arated in their dormitories, play rooms and sitting rooms. Two 
 piano rooms, a sewing room, hospital and nurse's room are pro- 
 vided for in the new cottage. 
 
 Until a new administration building is constructed the school 
 rooms, auditorium, kitchen, dining room, teachers' rooms, and 
 
28 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 the superintendent's office will remain in the old building as at 
 present. 
 
 The superintendent and his family occupy a cottage a short 
 distance from the institution. 
 
 The Kitchen and Dining Room are in the basement. The 
 girls set the tables and wash the dishes. Sexes are not separated 
 at tables. Enamel ware is used on all tables, and napkins are 
 provided for all. 
 
 Auditorium, Library and School Rooms are on the first floor. 
 None are very satisfactory but considering the condition of the 
 building one would hardly expect to find them modern or well- 
 equipped. 
 
 Play Rooms are bare and unattractive. There are no chairs 
 of any kind except the old-fashioned painted kitchen chairs. In 
 the girls' play room there were two of these old chairs and sev- 
 eral benches. When the new buildings are completed the fur- 
 nishings will receive more attention. 
 
 FIRE PROTECTION. 
 
 The building is supplied with chemical extinguishers and old 
 style ladder escapes. Dormitories are on the second floor and 
 a nightwatch is employed. 
 
 Fire drills have not been held with the regularity which is 
 necessary in such institutions. 
 
 THE OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 The official corps consists of a superintendent, matron, phy- 
 sician, and five teachers. Among the other employees are a 
 cook, three maids, janitor and nightwatch. 
 
 The superintendent has had experience in other schools of 
 similar nature. 
 
 ADMISSION. 
 
 Admission is upon application. The school welcomes all who 
 are eligible between the ages of 6 and 21 years. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 29 
 
 EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Gross ignorance on the part of the public regarding the 
 character of several of our state institutions has permitted legis- 
 lative enactment to include our deaf and blind schools among 
 the charitable institutions of the state. State schools for the 
 deaf and blind are no more charitable institutions than are our 
 city school systems, our state normals, our state university or 
 our state agricultural college. 
 
 The sooner both of these schools become legally recognized 
 as a legitimate part of our state school system the sooner in- 
 telligent parents of blind and deaf children will take advantage 
 of the educational opportunities offered by the state, and the 
 sooner the state will receive proper returns upon the money 
 invested. 
 
 Mention is made of this matter at this time because em- 
 phasis in the report on this institution should be, and is, placed 
 upon the educational side. 
 
 LITERARY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 The work of the literary department is divided between two 
 teachers who receive $540 each for the nine school months, and 
 who live within the institution. 
 
 One of these teachers is a high school graduate and is teach- 
 ing her third year in the school. The other is an Oswego Nor- 
 mal graduate and has had an additional year of study at Wel- 
 lesley. This is her first year in the school. Both of these 
 teachers entered upon their duties without training for, or with- 
 out previous experience in, instructing the blind. 
 
 There are 35 children in the institution 21 boys and 14 
 girls. School work is not carried beyond the eighth grade and 
 this year three pupils are attending the Vancouver high school 
 and are doing good work. 
 
 There are 24 pupils in the primary department and 8 in the 
 grammar school. School texts are furnished by the national 
 government and in some lines there were not enough books for 
 
30 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 the pupils. School room work was, for the most part, satis- 
 factory. 
 
 One of the school rooms is open to the older pupils for study 
 each week day evening and the two literary teachers take charge 
 alternate weeks. 
 
 COMMERCIAL TRAINING. 
 
 The school owns six typewriters and quite a number of pupils 
 are learning to write. 
 
 MUSICAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 This department is in charge of an Oberlin graduate who is 
 also inexperienced in teaching the blind. Vocal lessons, both 
 chorus class and private, and piano lessons are under her charge. 
 When there is a demand for lessons upon other instruments an 
 outside teacher is employed. Three pianos are available for 
 practice. There is no orchestra work. 
 
 PHYSICAL TRAINING. 
 
 There is no especial arrangement for physical training. The 
 industrial teacher has charge of such work as is given, which 
 consists mostly of marching and dumb bell exercises. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 This department is in charge of a semi-blind graduate from 
 the Iowa State School. Tuning, which seven of the boys are 
 learning, is the only industry which receives any especial at- 
 tention. 
 
 Net, or twine, work is taught all pupils over nine years of 
 age, and some very nice laundry bags and hammocks are made. 
 It takes two days to make a hammock at an expense of about 
 $1.75. After the cost of the material is deducted pupils receive 
 the gain which is from $2.00 to $4.00. 
 
 Chair caning is taught. Six dozen chairs from Portland are 
 being re-caned by the pupils at a profit of 75 cents each. 
 
 The institution owns a weaving machine which is little used. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 31 
 
 Domestic Industries consist in caring for the beds, setting 
 tables, washing dishes and dusting. There is no sewing worthy 
 of mention, and no fancy work. 
 
 MORAL TRAINING. 
 
 No especial provision is made for the moral instruction of 
 pupils on Sunday, other than the Christian Endeavor meetings. 
 There is no chapel and no Sunday School, but pupils who so 
 desire are allowed to attend services in town. 
 
 SOCIAL TRAINING. 
 
 It is universally acknowledged that the success of the blind 
 is more largely dependent upon the acquirement of social graces, 
 upon refinement of manner, and neatness of person than is that 
 of any other class of physical defectives. It is unfortunate 
 that more attention is not given to the supervision of the chil- 
 dren in the dining room and in their social life where there is 
 opportunity to emphasize the little refinements so necessary to 
 make the blind attractive and welcome. 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 
 Library books for the use of the blind are furnished by the 
 government. Also two magazines. 
 
 There is no state appropriation for this library and only a 
 small sum for magazines and paper. It is unfortunate that the 
 state has not established a good library at this institution. 
 The younger children have a story hour every evening and 
 suitable books from which to read to them are not to^be found 
 within the institution. 
 
 RECREATION. 
 
 Pupils play outside much of the time. Saturday evening 
 those who desire may dance in the auditorium. 
 
 Saturday is a holiday. In the morning the children go to 
 the store to make any purchase which they may desire and after 
 that there is no regular plan for the day. On both Saturday 
 and Sunday afternoon pupils may visit teachers in their rooms 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 from three to five o'clock. Many children take advantage of 
 this privilege. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is furnished by parents. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 There is an abundance of everything served at the various 
 meals. Limited time did not permit us to make a detailed study 
 of this topic, but it would seem as though an experienced per- 
 son might arrange a menu which would be more beneficial to the 
 children and less expensive to the state. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 A non-resident physician visits the institution regularly, or 
 when called. 
 
 The State Dentist has not yet visited this institution. 
 
 Recent examination of the pupils showed that six are in need 
 of minor operations for which parents cannot afford to pay. 
 
 Several of the pupils require the attention of an experienced 
 oculist. One of the Portland oculists has offered his services 
 free of charge but it seemed unwise to go out of the state for 
 medical attention, and hence, because of the location of the 
 school, the children are deprived of one of the greatest benefits 
 which they might receive. It is unfortunate that this school 
 was not located in one of our large cities. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That a library be established and more attention be 
 given to selecting and providing material suitable for the story 
 hour. 
 
 2. That daily news items for the chapel period be selected 
 with reference to their interest and importance in keeping the 
 pupils informed regarding the progress of the world. 
 
 3. That more careful supervision and instruction be given 
 the children in their deportment and in social customs which 
 will prepare them to assume the responsibilities of life. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 4. That a teacher of folk dancing be employed for this 
 school and the school for the deaf. Blind and deaf children are 
 greatly benefited by this form of exercise and the need of such 
 a teacher is apparent. 
 
 It would not be necessary for a teacher in this line to give 
 full time to the work at least one-half her time could be used 
 for other educational work. 
 
 5. That the custom of allowing pupils to visit teachers on 
 Saturday and Sunday afternoons be discontinued. Teachers 
 are employed in class rooms six hours daily ; alternate weeks 
 they are busy from immediately after dinner in the evening 
 until 9 or 9:30 p. m. They read to the younger children for 
 a half hour and then take charge of the study room until the 
 lessons are prepared for the next day. The entire responsi- 
 bility for the work of eight grades is placed upon these two 
 teachers and they should need, and do need, their hour of free- 
 dom on Saturday and Sunday for rest and professional study. 
 
 In most schools of this character and size the superintendent 
 assists in the educational department. We learned from this 
 superintendent that he did no instructional work ; that he gave 
 no personal attention to the preparation of lessons even for the 
 high school pupils, and that he was not in the habit of walking 
 with, or reading to, the children on Saturday and Sunday. It 
 is recommended that further inquiry be made regarding the 
 duties of the superintendent in order to ascertain why he should 
 not assume more responsibility for the educational progress and 
 the social well being of the pupils. There would seem to be no 
 legitimate reason why he should not take charge of the study 
 room a part of the time, aid the high school pupils in preparing 
 their lessons, accompany the boys occasionally on their walks 
 and read and study natural history with them. 
 
 6. That Sunday School, or some regular suitable service, 
 be held in the institution every Sunday. 
 
 7. That no more teachers be employed in this institution 
 without either special training for, or experience in, educating 
 
 3 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 the blind. Experiments should not be permitted in this type of 
 school. 
 
 8. That this school be made a part of the state educational 
 system and that endorsement of instructors and inspection of 
 educational work be placed under the State Board of Educa- 
 tion. 
 
 March 9, 1912. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 35 
 
 RE POET ON THE STATE SCHOOL FOR THE 
 DEAF VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND METHODS OF 
 INVESTIGATION. 
 
 We have employed the same means of familiarizing ourselves 
 with the work for the deaf as have been already cited with refer- 
 ence to our preparation for reporting on the School for the 
 Blind. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 The School for the Deaf is located on a 17%-acre tract of 
 land at Vancouver. 
 
 There are four buildings, one being not yet completed. 
 
 The Main Building is the old building, and is gradually be- 
 ing abandoned as a more modern equipment is perfected. It 
 contains the administrative offices, the superintendent's living 
 rooms, parlors, teachers' rooms, dining room and kitchen, 
 bakery, school rooms, auditorium, girls' sitting rooms and dor- 
 mitories. 
 
 The Boys' Cottage has been in use four years. It was built 
 at a cost of about $25,000, and is not fire-proof. 
 
 The building is divided into two parts, so that the younger 
 and the older boys are entirely separated in their play rooms, 
 sitting rooms, and dormitories. There is a stairway at either 
 end of the building one used by the older, the other by the 
 younger boys. The man and wife both deaf who are in 
 charge of the cottage take entire responsibility for the boys 
 outside of school hours. The boys take care of the cottage un- 
 der the supervision of the house-mother. 
 
 The first floor is given up to play rooms, sitting rooms, club 
 and study rooms. 
 
 The older boys study from 7:15 to 8:45 each school evening. 
 They also have a magazine club organized, governed, and sup- 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 ported by themselves. Fourteen carefully selected periodicals 
 are on the tables. The superintendent encourages reading in 
 every way possible as the deaf are apt to neglect this necessary 
 part of their education. 
 
 The younger boys have a play room with cement floor and 
 many of them enjoy roller skating. They also have a sitting 
 room and a few games, most of which have been purchased by 
 themselves. 
 
 The second floor is given up to sleeping quarters. On the 
 side occupied by the older boys there were no community dor- 
 mitories, but each boy's room is formed by a metal enclosure 
 five feet high, open at the floor for purposes of cleanliness, and 
 open above for light and ventilation. Each enclosure is equip- 
 ped with a bed, chair, shelf, and corner cupboard for clothing 
 if the boy is willing to make it himself. 
 
 The younger boys have small community dormitories. Beds 
 and bedding were clean and in every way satisfactory, as were 
 also bathing and toilet facilities. 
 
 The third floor is given up to one large Gymnasium and is 
 used by both sexes. 
 
 The Shop Building has . recently been finished. It is well 
 lighted and well ventilated and provides for several industries. 
 
 The Girls 1 Cottage is fire-proof and will soon be ready for 
 occupancy. Being fire-proof it is a much smaller building in 
 proportion to the expense than the boys' cottage, but it follows 
 the same general plan with respect to separating the older and 
 younger children. 
 
 At present the girls' dormitory is on the second floor of the 
 main building, and is in a very crowded condition. There were 
 no chairs by the beds, and in most cases clothing was on the foot 
 of the bed. A deaf supervisor is also in charge of the girls. 
 
 The sitting rooms for girls are on the first floor, and in visit- 
 ing these rooms on Sunday, when a large part of the girls were 
 together, we learned that, aside from the seats in the school 
 rooms, there were chairs enough for only about one-half of the 
 girls in the institution, and most of these were the old-fashioned 
 
State Institutions of Washington 37 
 
 kitchen chairs with uncomfortable backs. This is a matter 
 which should be remedied when -the girls move into their new 
 cottage. 
 
 School Rooms are on the third floor of the main building. 
 They are old, poorly equipped, badly lighted and ventilated. 
 One room uses electric light practically all the time. 
 
 The Auditorium is also in the main building. It is large 
 enough and very satisfactory. 
 
 The Dining Room is used by both sexes, is carefully super- 
 vised and the table service was satisfactory. 
 
 The Kitchen and Bakery are neither very satisfactory, nor 
 very conveniently located. 
 
 There is no Hospital. In case of illness the abandoned dor- 
 mitories on the fourth floor are used and all supplies have to be 
 carried. 
 
 FIRE DRILLS. 
 
 Fire drills are held regularly bi-monthly. Signals are in- 
 terpreted and the buildings are cleared in three minutes. A 
 nightwatch goes through the buildings every hour. 
 
 THE OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 The total number of employees is 33. This includes the 
 superintendent, matron, eight literary teachers, five industrial 
 teachers, the supervisors, maids and assistants. 
 
 The superintendent and his entire professional corps have 
 been trained for educational work and are familiar with the best 
 theories and practice in this line of work. 
 
 ADMISSION. 
 
 School is in session nine months. No children are cared for 
 during vacation. 
 
 Application for admission is made directly to the superintend- 
 ent who welcomes all deaf children between the ages of six and 
 twenty-one. 
 
 The law requires county superintendents to send a list of deaf 
 children residing in each county to the superintendent of this 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 school in August. Only about half the superintendents comply 
 with this law, or if they do, the list is sent too late to be of use 
 for the current year. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 In order to save repetition we desire to call your attention to 
 the statements made regarding the character of this school in 
 the report on the School for the Blind. 
 
 Methods. There are eight literary teachers ; four oral, three 
 manual, and one who combines both methods. Four of the 
 teachers are deaf. 
 
 All beginners are put into oral classes and are kept there un- 
 til it is decided that they cannot learn speech, after which they 
 are transferred to the manual department. About sixty per 
 cent, of all enrolled are capable of learning speech. 
 
 Course of Study. This is the same as is used in the public 
 schools of the state. Some high school work is done, and grad- 
 uates of the full course enter the National College at Wash- 
 ing without difficulty. Of course deaf pupils require from two 
 to three years longer to complete the grade course than do the 
 normal children of the public schools. 
 
 The school day is carefully arranged so that the older chil- 
 dren may combine literary and industrial training, giving a 
 half day to each line, and changing the assignments at regular 
 intervals so that each pupil may have equal advantages with 
 respect to morning and afternoon sessions. 
 
 Children below the fifth grade attend the literary department 
 at both sessions. 
 
 Literary Department. All the teachers in this department 
 have received special professional training, and but one is in- 
 experienced. 
 
 There are 112 children in attendance 50 girls, and 62 boys. 
 Classes average from 10 to 14 pupils. There are at least 9 
 children who are mentally defective in addition to their physical 
 defects. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 39 
 
 Each room was visited and the work as a whole is to be com- 
 mended. 
 
 Duties of Teachers. In addition to the school room work each 
 teacher has charge of the study room from 7:15 to 8:45, one 
 week in four. Also each is on duty one Sunday in four, from 
 10 a. m. until supper time. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Vocational Industries. Boys receive trade instruction in 
 printing, carpentry, harness making, kalsomining, plastering, 
 and glass repairing. 
 
 Shoes are repaired for pupils of both the Blind and Deaf 
 schools. If work of this kind is done for teachers, or outsiders, 
 the work is paid for and the money goes into the general state 
 fund. 
 
 Three instructors are employed in this department. All are 
 deaf. 
 
 The carpenter shop is well supplied with hand tools, but no 
 machinery. This prevents the boys from making much furni- 
 ture which should be made by them, both for the experience, and 
 as a saving to the state. 
 
 Printing is regarded as the best trade for deaf boys. The 
 superintendent reports the demand, at $17 to $19 a week, to be 
 greater than the supply. The school prints an institutional 
 paper which is sent free to every parent and to the other similar 
 institutions of the country. 
 
 Domestic Industries. Boys assist in the laundry, girls do the 
 ironing. Machinery is carefully guarded. Electric irons have 
 not yet been introduced. The desirability of using electric irons 
 is a question upon which most of the institutions, in both Ore- 
 gon and Washington, are still undecided. Wherever I visited 
 I was asked for the experience of other institutions in using 
 electricity. 
 
 Boys care for their own building, and each boy is required 
 to do house work of some kind 30 minutes each day. 
 
40 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 Domestic Science. A careful course in domestic science has 
 been planned for all girls who have completed the fifth grade in 
 the literary department. Each girl cooks three hours, sews 
 eight hours, and irons three hours weekly. 
 
 The Course in Sewing includes the making of models, darn- 
 ing and mending, all the ordinary sewing for the institution, 
 embroidery and fancy work, an infant's outfit, and the indi- 
 vidual clothing which each girl desires for herself. The sewing 
 room is in the basement but it is light and comfortable. There 
 are five sewing machines and one instructor has charge. A 
 number of older pupils had made very nice street suits of which 
 they were justly proud. 
 
 The Course in Cooking is also well planned and a regular 
 teacher is in charge. 
 
 Every girl learns to prepare ordinary meals, to make bread, 
 pie, cake, soups, jelly, to can fruit, etc. Each makes her own 
 cook book and takes it with her when she leaves. 
 
 This department is worthy of the greatest commendation be- 
 cause of the difficulties which the superintendent and matron 
 had to overcome in order to even provide a room for it. An 
 abandoned wash room in the basement was the only available 
 place. Basins were removed and the room put in as good con- 
 dition as possible, the bath tub was taken out of the small room 
 adjoining and these two rooms were turned into a kitchen and 
 pantry. 
 
 Gas is not used, but because 65 to 70 per cent, of the children 
 come from small towns or the country, an ordinary cook stove 
 has been considered more practical. 
 
 The room is dark, electric lights are always in use, but at a 
 cost of less than $5 per month for additional material each girl 
 is receiving an excellent course in home cooking. 
 
 PHYSICAL TRAINING. 
 
 There is no regular course in physical training. Both sexes 
 use the gymnasium for games. The Washington boys had just 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 returned from a game of basket ball with the Oregon boys at 
 
 Salem. 
 
 MORAL TRAINING. 
 
 The moral atmosphere of the school is excellent. Chapel ex- 
 ercises are held every morning at 8:20, and on Sunday at 10 
 o'clock. There is Sunday school every Sunday afternoon, and 
 on Sunday morning I noticed a number of older pupils pre- 
 paring to instruct the younger children in the afternoon. Sun- 
 day evening the older pupils have their own Christian Endeavor 
 meeting. 
 
 I visited the "baby" dormitory two evenings at bed time and 
 found the little ones repeating their evening prayer. Grace is 
 always said at meals. Religious services are non-denomina- 
 tional and, whatever anyone's personal opinion may be, there 
 can be no doubt that, both in our state and in Oregon, the at- 
 mosphere of the schools where careful attention is given to 
 moral and religious instruction is far superior to that of those 
 in which it is omitted. I have recently visited eight state in- 
 stitutions for children in Washington and Oregon and have 
 made a careful comparison in this respect. 
 
 SOCIAL TRAINING. 
 
 Boys and girls are brought together as much as possible, and 
 in every way an effort is made to equip them for the social re- 
 sponsibilities of life. 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 
 Two hundred dollars bi-ennially is appropriated for books. 
 papers and magazines. 
 
 RECREATION AND AMUSEMENT. 
 
 The deaf can do much to amuse themselves. The school has 
 a dance about once a month. It owns a moving picture ma- 
 chine, but owing to the expense of films, and the fact that one 
 of the local houses admits the children free on Wednesday after- 
 noons it is not used very much. 
 
 There is a literary club which has a program every other 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 Saturday evening. The programs are well planned, including 
 recitations, debates, essays, etc. 
 
 The new cottage for girls will have a roof garden, or play 
 
 room. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is furnished by the parents, or by the county. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 The menu for the school is well planned. There is little farm 
 produce to contribute to the support of the table. Few vege- 
 tables are raised, but there is quite a large prune orchard and 
 some other fruit. A few chickens are raised. Seventeen gal- 
 lons of milk are purchased daily, dessert is given pupils twice 
 a week, jelly or preserves twice, and fruit in some form every 
 day. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 A non-resident physician visits the school weekly, or more 
 often if sent for. 
 
 Recent examination made by one of the State Physicians 
 showed twenty-two of these children to be in need of minor 
 operations, whose parents are unable to pay for such medical 
 attention. 
 
 Children afflicted with tuberculosis are not received at the 
 school. 
 
 The superintendent is discarding roller towels and replacing 
 them with individual towels 16 inches square. These are to be 
 used but once. Shower baths are used whenever possible. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 There is no trouble with discipline in the school. Plain food 
 and loss of privileges are the only punishment necessary. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That the superintendent be allowed to introduce some 
 financial system which will encourage the pupils to make an 
 effort toward economic independence before they leave the school. 
 None of our state institutions are doing anything in this di- 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 rection. Several eastern institutions have very satisfactory 
 systems, and the efforts which are being made in Oregon are 
 referred to in the report on Oregon institutions. 
 
 2. There are a few needs in the institution which it is to be 
 hoped will be provided for at the earliest opportunity. I have 
 called attention to the lack of sufficient chairs, to the lack of 
 machinery in the carpenter shop, and I should also like to add 
 a plea for a few good pictures in the chapel, school rooms, sit- 
 ting rooms, and dormitories. 
 
 3. That a teacher be provided to instruct the mental de- 
 fectives. There are nine who need especial care from this point 
 of view but who, because of physical defects, are not proper 
 subjects for Medical Lake. Retained in the average class they 
 either take the time which belongs to brighter children, or they 
 fail to secure any advantage from the school. 
 
 4. That this institution receive legal recognition as a part 
 of the state school system. 
 
 5. That a careful study be made of the relative advantages 
 of the institution and the day schools for the deaf, and that 
 every effort be made to harmonize the work of the two schools 
 so that they may co-operate for the advantage of the deaf 
 children in the state. We have visited the day schools for the 
 deaf in Washington, and find that each type has its advantages 
 and its disadvantages, both are undoubtedly with us to stay, 
 and conflict between the two should not be allowed to interfere 
 with the success of both. 
 
 March 9, 1912. 
 
44 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 REPORT ON THE STATE INSTITUTION FOR 
 FEEBLE-MINDEDMEDICAL LAKE. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 The institution comprises four buildings erected on the 20 
 acres of land adjoining the site of the Eastern Hospital for the 
 Insane. 
 
 The main building consists of two wings. It shelters high 
 grade pupils of both sexes, contains the superintendent's office, 
 rooms for the teaching corps, a general kitchen, and a dining 
 room for the inmates of each sex. 
 
 Two fire-proof cottages, designed to care for the custodial 
 department, have recently been completed. These cottages are 
 three stories high. Each has its own school rooms, dormitories, 
 playrooms opening on large screened balconies, several single 
 rooms for use during illness or in cases which demand segrega- 
 tion, and the attendants' rooms. Wire screen protects stair 
 wells, radiators, and windows. The ventilating, heating and 
 plumbing systems are thoroughly sanitary and strictly modern. 
 Hot water is always abundant and both tub and shower baths 
 are used. 
 
 In none of the dormitories were there more than 14 beds. Oc- 
 cupants are carefully classified and attendants are on duty day 
 and night. Hospital beds are used, and the bedding is satis- 
 factory both in quantity and quality. 
 
 On the third floor of the girls' cottage there is an auditorium 
 with seating capacity for about 200. 
 
 The new boiler house with shop annex is the fourth building. 
 
 There is as yet no provision especially for the accommodation 
 of the official corps, or for administrative purposes. Every- 
 thing has been sacrificed to meet the demands for admission. 
 At the present time the enrollment includes 92 girls and 123 
 
State Institutions of Washington 45 
 
 boys. There are accommodations for 20 more girls, but no more 
 boys can be admitted unless vacancies occur. 
 
 There is no institutional farm. All milk for use in the in- 
 stitution is purchased, also nearly all fruit and vegetables. 
 Poultry is raised to some extent. 
 
 FIRE PROTECTION. 
 
 Buildings are either fire-proof, or slow burning. The insti- 
 tution has an alarm system which is well understood and 
 promptly responded to by all except the lowest grade, or the 
 physically helpless children. Drills are held bi-monthly in ac- 
 cordance with the law. The brighter and stronger children have 
 been trained to look after the less fortunate and the entire in- 
 stitution can be cleared in 70 seconds. 
 
 OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 The official corps includes the superintendent, matron, two 
 supervisors, four teachers, 15 attendants, a physician, steward, 
 and the necessary assistants. 
 
 The work of the attendants is very monotonous and nerve- 
 trying, especially in the custodial wards, where there are many 
 unpleasant duties connected with the care of their charges. The 
 hours for day duty are from 6 a. m. to 7 p. m. Many of the 
 custodial children have to be washed, dressed and undressed, 
 fed, and waited upon constantly. During the rising and retir- 
 ing hours and at meal time the attendants are kept busy, al- 
 though they receive some assistance from the higher grade 
 pupils. In order to give the attendants all the relief possible 
 they are allowed one full day of freedom every two weeks, and 
 one vacation week every six months. 
 
 Although the wage scale for employees in this institution 
 compares favorably with that of similar institutions in other 
 states, we were agreeably surprised to find so high class attend- 
 ants and so cheerful and so genuine an interest and co-operation 
 in the welfare of the institution. 
 
 Class room teachers confine their attention entirely to school- 
 room work and are not called upon for additional labor of any 
 
46 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 kind. Four women teachers are employed. All have received 
 especial training for their work in eastern institutions and have 
 been carefully selected with reference to a variety of abilities. 
 
 The superintendent of the institution is well informed upon 
 all modern methods applicable to the care and education of the 
 feeble-minded; the opportunities which have been afforded him 
 to study other institutions have resulted in much progress with- 
 in his own, while his personal effort and interest in the work has 
 succeeded in securing the same active interest and effort from 
 his official corps. 
 
 COMMITMENT. 
 
 When accommodations permit, children between the ages of 
 6 and 21 years are admitted to the institution upon application 
 made through the county superintendents of schools. There 
 is no law on our statute books which requires the commitment 
 of mental defectives, no law which provides for detention after 
 21 years of age,* and no law which allows the superintendent 
 any authority in the matter of release. 
 
 This means that both commitment and release are entirely 
 under the control of friends and relatives irrespective of the 
 child's mental condition and its influence upon society. 
 
 Owing to the crowded condition of the institution there are 
 now 18 names on the waiting list. Applications for admission 
 are filed as received and the waiting list reduced as rapidly as 
 vacancies occur. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Deprivation of privileges for bad conduct, or rewards for 
 good, are the chief disciplinary measures. Loss of opportunity 
 to attend the weekly dance, or the picture show, is a serious 
 affliction. 
 
 Corporal punishment is practically never used as the super- 
 intendent's experience has convinced him that better results are 
 to be obtained from other modes of discipline. Boys are oc- 
 
 * Several inmates who have reached the age limit are being cared for in the 
 institution. as freedom would be so obviously unjust both to the child and to 
 society. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 47 
 
 casionally put in camisoles for offenses which cannot be pre- 
 vented in any other way. 
 
 Solitary confinement in this institution means placing the 
 child in an open air court where he is constantly under the ob- 
 servation of attendants. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 At entrance each child is given a careful physical and mental 
 examination, is classified mentally according to the results of 
 this test, and is given such medical treatment as the results of 
 the medical examination suggest. 
 
 The superintendent's records show the following mental 
 classification and the present enrollment under each class. It 
 is interesting and instructive as it offers some adequate idea of 
 the demand which is now being made upon the state for per- 
 manent custodial care for practically every child in the institu- 
 tion, irrespective of the time when it shall have passed the age 
 limit. It also serves as a warning that with each new commit- 
 ment the problem is bound to be an increasing one : 
 
 A. Idiot. 50 cases. Will always need institutional care. 
 
 B. Moral Imbecile. 8 or 10 cases. These children are both 
 mentally and morally deficient and will be dangerous if allowed 
 their freedom. 
 
 C. Imbecile. About 150. This comprises the largest class 
 of mental defectives. It will be necessary for all to have per- 
 manent protection of some kind. 
 
 D. Backward. Only Q children can be so classified. Under 
 proper conditions these may return to a free life and take their 
 place in society. 
 
 Idiots are not capable of educational work. Those who at- 
 tend school are taken from the imbecile and backward classes. 
 There are 80 boys and 61 girls doing school-room work. 
 
 Within this classification there are 35 epileptics, 20 boys and 
 15 girls. Many authorities advocate the complete segregation 
 of epileptics just as soon as the number warrants the expense, 
 and permits of the necessary gradation. There are many 
 
48 Report of Conditions m the 
 
 arguments to be offered in favor of such separation, but as 100 
 cases are probably as few as would warrant the additional ex- 
 pense it is not a matter of immediate importance. 
 
 CO-OPERATION WITH THE GATZERT FOUNDATION. 
 
 Quite recently the University of Washington has received a 
 fund of $30,000 for the establishment of the Gatzert Founda- 
 tion, the income of the sum to be used in work for defective 
 children. 
 
 It will be the object of the Foundation to co-operate with 
 the educational workers throughout the entire state in study- 
 ing defective children and advising as to their needs. 
 
 The superintendent of our state institution will also co-oper- 
 ate with the Foundation, and it is to be hoped that through this 
 medium he may be able to secure the family histories of children 
 in a much more complete manner than has been possible hereto- 
 fore. 
 
 MEDICAL TREATMENT. 
 
 A non-resident physician is employed by the institution. The 
 superintendent is well informed as to the physical needs of the 
 children and supplements the work of the physician. Night 
 attendants are required to keep a careful record of the physical 
 conditions and needs of each child and to file the same each 
 morning for the consideration of the superintendent. 
 
 The State Dentist has visited the institution and given the 
 children the necessary dental attention. 
 
 It is a matter of regret that the institution is not better 
 equipped to give both sexes the benefit of a definite course in 
 physical training. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is not provided by the state. If desired, the insti- 
 tution purchases it at wholesale rates and sends the bills to 
 parents. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 All children who are physically and mentally able come to 
 the dining room for their meals. Meals are carried to the cus- 
 
State Institutions of Washington 49 
 
 todial department for those who are unable to go to the dining 
 room. 
 
 Table cloths are in use except upon tables occupied by chil- 
 dred of untidy habits. Oil cloth is provided for these. The 
 table service is entirely satisfactory. Napkins or bibs are used 
 by all inmates. 
 
 Judged by the same standard as has been applied to the other 
 institutions and mentioned in detail in the report on the peni- 
 tentiary, the dietary problem would appear to be satisfactorily 
 solved. There is considerable variety in the diet and so far as 
 we could ascertain the food was well prepared and palatable. 
 
 The institution purchases 5 boxes of apples per month, 45 
 gallons of milk per day, and bakes 100 loaves of bread in its 
 own bakery. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 A proper conception of the duty of the state toward its 
 feeble-minded wards includes the offering to each child of the 
 highest educational opportunities. 
 
 Prior to the current year only two educational instructors 
 have been employed ; there are now four two for each sex. 
 Eighty boys and 61 girls are instructed in half-day sessions. 
 
 So far as essential principles are concerned the methods em- 
 ployed in instructing mental defectives do not differ from those 
 in use among normal children, but the process of education is 
 much less rapid. 
 
 Skill in manual training is a very essential factor, knowledge 
 of kindergarten methods is another, musical ability, patience, 
 constant repetition of lessons, and detailed analysis of each in 
 dividual step are all important qualifications for educators in 
 this line. 
 
 Inasmuch as tendency to overcrowd the educational depart- 
 ments is demanding attention at the State Training School, as 
 well as at this institution, we desire to emphasize the need of 
 careful consideration being given to the matter. The best re- 
 cent study of educational facilities in state institutions advises 
 
 4 
 
50 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 against more than 20 pupils per teacher in training schools, 
 with about half that number per teacher in institutions caring 
 for sub-normal children. 
 
 The school-room equipment is very good. Adjustable desks 
 are in use, kindergarten supplies and material for industrial 
 training are provided, there is a piano in the girls' study room, 
 an organ in the boys'. 
 
 School is in session from September 1st to June 1st. 
 
 Industrial Training. In addition to the ordinary school 
 work, which is in reality but a small part of the educational 
 department, there are various forms of industrial training. 
 The girls are taught basketry, rug weaving, sewing, ironing 
 and other forms of housework. It is unfortunate that the loca- 
 tion of the kitchen is such that it has seemed wiser to use boys 
 rather than girls in this line of domestic training. This spring 
 the girls are to have a flower garden. 
 
 The boys have a manual training shop in which the equip- 
 ment is to be installed at once. They do the laundry work and 
 assist in housework, shops and vegetable garden. The boys also 
 have a weaving machine. The superintendent hopes soon to es- 
 tablish both tailor and shoe shops. A good institutional farm 
 is a serious need, both because of the healthful employment 
 which it would furnish the inmates and the financial advantage 
 to the state. 
 
 Moral Training. This is one of the most important parts of 
 the educational work of the institution. Each educator and 
 each attendant uses her own individuality in instilling prin- 
 ciples of morality and right living. No definite rules, and no 
 general plan of instruction is possible in such an institution. 
 
 Sunday School is held every Sunday. 
 
 Physical Training. For the last few months, girls have been 
 receiving regular physical training instruction. Gymnasium 
 suits are furnished by the institution, and classes meet twice a 
 week. The progress made has been excellent and it is only to 
 be regretted that the boys' department cannot have similar 
 work. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 51 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 
 The institution has no library. The superintendent hopes to 
 have one later, although many of the children are too destruc- 
 tive to be allowed to handle books. 
 
 RECREATION. 
 
 No separate treatment of this topic is necessary as recreation 
 of various kinds is in constant use in the institution. Once each 
 week the entire school assembles for moving pictures and danc- 
 ing. All holidays are celebrated, and in fact every occasion 
 which offers is utilized for recreation and amusement. The 
 children are very happy in their institutional life and in every 
 way possible a constant effort is being made to contribute to 
 their happiness. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That the state decide upon some definite policy with refer- 
 ence to the future of this institution. If a new site with suitable 
 farm is to be acquired, it is time for action ; if the institution is 
 to remain in the present location its capacity should be ex- 
 panded to meet the demands made upon it. 
 
 2. That the name of this institution be changed from "In- 
 stitution for the Feeble-Minded," to "State Custodial Institu- 
 tion." 
 
 Parents are usually very sensitive regarding the application 
 of the word "feeble-minded" to their children, and are many 
 times offended by the fact that mail communications bear the 
 name of the institution. 
 
 3. That public administrators or guardians be appointed to 
 safeguard the property rights of children having property in- 
 terests. In every institution caring for patients who are men- 
 tally afflicted there are cases which demand this protection, and 
 it is the duty of the state to make some provision for their 
 needs. 
 
 4. That concerted effort be made by the educators of the 
 state, the women's clubs, and others who are interested in the 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 subject to see that legislators and the general public become 
 better informed as to the social benefits arising from liberal 
 support of such institutions. The establishment of the Gatzert 
 Foundation is bound to increase knowledge and advance prog- 
 ress in these lines, but there is still much to be done. 
 
 Nothing of any importance can be accomplished in any state 
 until there is definite general knowledge, (1) as to the evils 
 which arise from the freedom of mental defectives in society, 
 and (2) as to the complete system of agencies necessary to 
 diminish these evils. A comprehensive program should include, 
 
 (1) laws safeguarding the doorway of life by preventing in 
 every possible way the birth of the degenerate and the defective, 
 
 (2) obligation upon parents to place in custodial care children 
 so afflicted, and (3) permanent custodial care for every person 
 whose presence in the community is a source of danger. 
 
 5. Repeal, at the first opportunity, of the age limit under 
 which mental defectives are now cared for. 
 
 Under our present statutes the institution at Medical Lake 
 is simply a temporary school in which an effort is made to pre- 
 pare the feeble-minded to return to free life. At the same time 
 intelligent public opinion knows that there are but few of these 
 children, who upon attaining their majority, can meet the eco- 
 nomic conditions of life or protect themselves from moral degra- 
 dation. There is a moral obligation upon every citizen, and 
 especially upon our legislators, to make permanent provision 
 for its sub-normal wards in state institutions. Sterilization is 
 the only alternative. 
 
 6. That public school systems, maintaining departments for 
 backward and defective children, be careful lest they encourage 
 actual defectives in remaining without the institutions. 
 
 January 5, 1912. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 53 
 
 REPORT ON STATE TRAINING SCHOOL 
 AT CHEHAL1S. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 
 
 This report is based upon, (1) personal interviews with about 
 forty boys and girls who have been paroled from the institu- 
 tion, (2) personal interviews with about the same number who 
 are still within the institution, and (3) two visits to the institu- 
 tion, during which we met each employee, visited each activity 
 and made as complete a study of existing conditions as time 
 allowed. During our visits every possible courtesy was shown 
 us by Superintendent Aspinwall and his corps of assistants. 
 and every opportunity was afforded us to study the life of the 
 institution. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 There are seven buildings on the grounds. Two buildings for 
 boys, the administration building, the industrial building, two 
 barns and a hospital. 
 
 One building, occupied by 143 older boys, contains a basement 
 play room, baths, dining room and kitchen, boys' school rooms, 
 dormitory and library. The assistant superintendent and his 
 family live in this building. The other, occupied by 84 younger 
 boys, contains play room, baths, dormitory, chapel and officers' 
 rooms. 
 
 The administration building is occupied by the superintend- 
 ent's family, five officials, and 58 girls. The building is wooden. 
 The girls occupy one large dormitory on the fourth floor which 
 is in charge of a nightwatch. 
 
 Girls' wash room and "pigeon holes" in which personal be- 
 longings are kept, are on the ground floor which, to say the least 
 is most unsatisfactory and inconvenient. From the day of en- 
 trance to the day of parole no girl has an hour of privacy, and 
 hence that refining influence, which is so important a factor in 
 
54* Report of Conditions m the 
 
 the upbuilding of character and self-respect among delinquent 
 girls, is almost entirely lost. 
 
 Kitchen and Dining Room. The boys' dining room is large 
 enough, the girls' is badly crowded. Table service is satisfac- 
 tory. Napkins are provided for girls. Boys are allowed to 
 talk at meals and do not abuse the privilege. Grace is said be- 
 fore meals. The girls' kitchen is small, but fairly well lighted. 
 
 Library. A room has recently been equipped with tables and 
 chairs and will soon be opened for a reading and study room. 
 The boys made the furniture, and will transfer the books from 
 the general office as soon as cases are arranged. There are about 
 900 volumes covering a diversity of subjects. Few magazines 
 are taken, but they are carefully chosen along industrial lines. 
 
 School Rooms. The girls have one school room in the ad- 
 ministration building. The boys have three in the boys' cottage. 
 
 Play Rooms. Basement play rooms, small and very unsatis- 
 factory, are the only rooms provided for any kind of social life 
 for the boys, or for recreation in stormy weather. 
 
 The girls have one general assembly room. Here they sew 
 and iron during the day ; here they play, or dance, in the even- 
 ing, and here also they spend their entire Sunday leisure. There 
 are no sitting rooms, or reading rooms, and no opportunity to 
 segregate the different classes according to moral or intellectual 
 standards. 
 
 There is no Gymnasium for either sex. 
 
 Hospital. The last legislature made an appropriation for a 
 hospital for boys. This has been constructed and sufficiently 
 equipped to care for six patients. Later the entire building 
 will be furnished. 
 
 Fire Protection. There are no fire escapes, no fire drills and 
 no system of alarms. Nightwatches are employed in all dor- 
 mitories. 
 
 The Official Corps. The total number of employees is 30. 
 This includes a superintendent, assistant superintendent, 9 in- 
 
State Institutions of Washington 55 
 
 dustrial teachers, 4 literary teachers, a nurse, music teacher, 
 parole officer, steward, physician and the family officers. 
 
 COMMITMENT. 
 
 Boys and girls are committed to this institution by the su- 
 perior courts. 
 
 RELEASE AND PAROLE. 
 
 Release may be granted by the superintendent or ordered by 
 the committing court. If released by the superintendent there is 
 a period of parole before final release. A parole officer has been 
 employed for about three months at a salary of $125.00 per 
 month. 
 
 Release secured through court order is a damage to the dis- 
 cipline of the school and the law permitting this should be re- 
 pealed. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 Literary. There are four teachers in the literary department 
 three for boys, and one for girls. They instruct 227 boys, 
 and 58 girls in two divisions during alternate weeks. 
 
 The industrial and literary work is not divided in half-day 
 sessions, but is arranged for a weekly change of departments. 
 School hours are from 9 to 11 :45 a. m. and from 3 to 5 :45 p. m. 
 The boys also have school on Saturday morning. 
 
 There is no study room and no arrangement for a study hour. 
 
 Two boys from this school are attending the Chehalis high 
 school and making good records. 
 
 Musical. A music instructor is employed to take charge of 
 the music in the schools and of the band. Note reading is not 
 taught in the schools. 
 
 VOCATIONAL INDUSTRIES. 
 
 Industrial work is well developed in several lines. Boys work 
 in the shops from 7:30 to 11:45 a. m. and from 1:30 to 5:45 
 during the week devoted to industrial work, and also from 
 7 :30 to 8 :45 of the mornings devoted to literary work. 
 
 The Carpenter Shop employs 16 boys. Fifty library chairs, 
 and several tables were shown us as a part of the result of the 
 
Report of Conditions m the 
 
 year's work. About $2,000 worth of building and repairing 
 was done by the boys last year. 
 
 The Laundry also employs 16 boys. The equipment is very 
 good, the laundry is well ventilated and electric irons only are 
 used. 
 
 The Blacksmith Shop was opened about five months ago. All 
 tools are made in the shop and much repair work is done. 
 
 The Machine Shop is under the supervision of the engineer 
 who instructs 8 boys. 
 
 The Tailor Shop employs 20 boys. All overalls, underwear, 
 night shirts, shirts, and uniforms are made by the boys. Ex- 
 perience in more advanced work is secured by making suits for 
 the patients at Medical Lake. 
 
 The Bakery employs 10 boys. All the baking for the school 
 and faculty is done here. 
 
 The Shoe Shop is fairly well equipped except for a rapid 
 repair machine which is badly needed. Fourteen boys work in 
 this line and all the shoes used by both sexes are made. 
 
 Farming. The institutional farm is not very satisfactory. 
 Poultry cannot be raised and hence fresh eggs and chickens 
 are rare. There is practically no fruit raised. There are 37 
 cows, and the herd is being increased as rapidly as possible. A 
 trained farmer is in charge, and the institution has a green- 
 house. 
 
 Domestic Industries. Boys care for their own buildings and 
 do all the cooking for the boys' dining room. The girls do the 
 cooking and housekeeping for the girls' building, the sewing 
 for themselves, and the fine laundry work. 
 
 MORAL. 
 
 Chapel service is held on Sunday afternoon and a Catholic 
 priest visits the institution and holds service twice a month. 
 
 RECREATION. 
 
 The boys have athletics of all kinds. Because of the fact that 
 the school shelters both sexes on a small area of land, the girls 
 have little opportunity for outdoor exercise. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 57 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is furnished by the state. Both sexes have uniforms 
 and are neatly dressed. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 Complaint as to the quality and the preparation of food is 
 general. 
 
 We offer for your consideration the menu for one week which 
 was given us by Mr. Aspinwall together with a statement of the 
 cost of maintenance per pupil. This, for the past two years, 
 has been 70 2-5 cents per day for entire support of the child, and 
 5 2-5 cents per meal. It was not possible for us to make a 
 thorough investigation of this complaint in so short a time, but 
 the dietary would seem to us to be below the standard for in- 
 stitutional life mentioned in our earlier reports and utilized by 
 us in testing the efficiency of the culinary departments. Milk 
 is much more abundant than at the date of our first visit to the 
 institution, but there is little variety, and the food did not seem 
 to be very appetizing. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 There is no system of rewards for good behavior in the in- 
 stitution, and hence officials rely entirely upon the punishment 
 of offenders in cases of disobedience, insubordination and im- 
 morality. We had hoped to find the graded system, and some 
 modern combination of the merit and monetary systems intro- 
 duced before this. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 A non-resident physician is employed, and the hospitals are 
 in charge of a trained nurse. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That more care be used in committing children to the 
 State Training School, so that only such as absolutely require 
 institutional life shall be sent. The mingling of immoral and 
 wayward children is bad for the institution, and is a great in- 
 justice to boys who might have been handled by probation. 
 
58 Report of Conditions m the 
 
 %. An inquiry into the desirability of our present law re- 
 garding release. 
 
 3. Segregation of the sexes. This is the greatest and most 
 imperative demand, and every effort should be made to accom- 
 plish it at the earliest opportunity. It would be most desirable 
 to place the girls near some large city where many advantages 
 could be secured, and several serious disadvantages overcome. 
 
 4. That a system of fire alarms and fire escapes be installed 
 on all buildings having dormitories, and that regular fire drills 
 be inaugurated the same as in all public schools. 
 
 5. That a gymnasium and reading room be provided for 
 boys. 
 
 6. That a detailed investigation be made regarding the 
 quality, preparation, and expense of food. 
 
 7. That corporal punishment be discouraged, and that ev- 
 ery effort be made to substitute such intellectual and moral in- 
 fluence as can be secured only from strong personality and high 
 personal ideals, together with a thorough understanding of, 
 and sympathy for, each individual weakness. 
 
 8. That the educational department be placed under the 
 supervision of the State Board of Education and that teachers 
 employed in the literary department be endorsed by it. 
 
 9. That a systematic course in domestic industries be or- 
 ganized, and that upon entering the institution each girl be given 
 to understand that such portions of this course as she is phy- 
 sically and mentally able to master must be satisfactorily com- 
 pleted before she can become eligible for parole. 
 
 10. That an effort be made to raise the professional stand- 
 ard of the institutional corps. There is no study club among 
 employees, and almost no familiarity with modern professional 
 literature. 
 
 April 12, 1912. 
 Chehalis, Washington. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 59 
 
 REPORT ON STATE REFORMATORY 
 AT MONROE. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND METHODS OF 
 INVESTIGATION. 
 
 Our findings in this investigation, together with the recom- 
 mendations which we desire to offer, are based upon the follow- 
 ing sources of information: (1) Two personal visits to the 
 institution, Sept. 22 to 27, and Nov. 4 to 6, (2) conferences 
 with various business and professional men residing in Monroe, 
 or other parts of the state, (3) conferences with 24 employees 
 of the institution, (4) with 57 inmates, (5) with a number of 
 paroled and released men, (6) with several employees, or 
 guards, who have resigned or been discharged, (7) the records 
 of the institution, (8) a detailed study of each complaint re- 
 garding the conduct of the institution, or its management. 
 
 A total of 114 private interviews have been held. A record 
 of all evidence has been preserved, and is considered strictly con- 
 fidential except where permission to use it was given voluntarily. 
 
 In our interviews with inmates every precaution was taken 
 to avoid the two great dangers which are apt to result from 
 utilization of such sources of information; (1) the acceptance, 
 as fact, of the personal opinion of individuals upon whom the 
 effects of loss of liberty are such as to lead them to interpret 
 every official duty as indicative of personal superiority, cruelty, 
 or lack of sympathy; and (2) the creation of insurrection, or 
 insubordination, based upon questionings which might be in- 
 terpreted as expressions of sympathy for, or endorsement of 
 complaints, whether real or imaginary. On the other hand, we 
 have not been unmindful of the fact, that, in order to know the 
 full truth, we must secure a free expression of inmate opinion. 
 With this in view, we have chosen our conferees at random, from 
 the records of the institution, care being taken to secure equal 
 representation from all classes ; those who have been recently 
 
60 Report of Conditions m the 
 
 committed, and those awaiting parole; those who have been 
 refused parole, or have attempted escape, and those who have 
 violated parole and are serving second terms. 
 
 Every part of the institution has been carefully inspected. 
 
 We have been greatly assisted in our study by the attitude of 
 Superintendent Roe, who has placed at our disposal the records 
 of the institution, and who has afforded us especial conveniences 
 for private conferences. The records of the institution are care- 
 fully kept and in many instances were invaluable in verifying, 
 or disproving, individual complaints. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 So far as the material conditions of the Reformatory are con- 
 cerned, the institution is in the making. Plans for a completed 
 institution are open to the public and are worthy of inspection. 
 One of the most desirable features is the cell house, which will 
 contain 640 individual rooms. Each room will be well lighted 
 and will contain a private lavatory and toilet. 
 
 Inasmuch as this phase of the work, as well as the financial 
 statement of the institution, is to be found in the Report of the 
 Board of Managers, we shall avoid its repetition. 
 
 Dormitories are fire-proof and are equipped with fire escapes. 
 
 OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 Superintendent. No matter what general system may be 
 adopted for any given state institution, its individual tone, and 
 its final success, are bound to be dependent upon the character 
 and ability of its supervising official. The State of Washing- 
 ton has been particularly fortunate in securing as the superin- 
 tendent of its Reformatory one who is thoroughly informed 
 upon every topic connected with delinquency, or criminology ; 
 one who allows no new thought or experiment to escape his 
 notice, selecting for his own institution only that which promises 
 to fill some recognized need. Keenly alive to his responsibility, 
 both to the state and to the individual committed to his care, he 
 combines business efficiency with a thorough understanding of 
 the reformatory spirit ; the good of the individual with the bene- 
 
State Institutions of Washington 61 
 
 fit of the state. In dealing with his charges he is sympathetic, 
 but without sentimentality, firm but not harsh, far-seeing and 
 patient with each individual, and optimistic and enthusiastic for 
 the success of his work. Owing to the great variety of re- 
 sponsibilities placed upon the superintendent, and the pressure 
 of administrative functions, there is grave danger that his per- 
 sonal influence upon the inmates will be seriously weakened un- 
 less relief of some kind be given him. Requests for personal in- 
 terviews are not receiving the ready response which they should, 
 and the average inmate is misinterpreting the cause of delay. 
 
 Assistants. The superintendent is assisted in the discharge 
 of his duties by 36 employees, including the guards, industrial 
 overseers, the physician, chaplain and parole officer. Of the en- 
 tire corps only a small per cent, has been trained for reforma- 
 tory work. Officials are dependent largely upon the superin- 
 tendent for example, instructions, and ideals. A study club has 
 recently been organized, and a library selected, with a view to 
 encouraging a spirit of professionalism in the corps. Hours 
 are long,* salaries low, the work exacting and qualifications 
 many. Several who have received appointments as guards have 
 utterly failed to qualify, and have finally been discharged. At 
 the present time the majority of the official corps is making 
 satisfactory progress in the adaptation of institutional methods. 
 A few have failed, thus far, to qualify for handling reformatory 
 work upon the basis required by the superintendent. 
 
 Having ascertained that the superintendent is thoroughly 
 conversant with the individual strength and weakness of each 
 official, it would seem to be without our province to make any 
 detailed suggestion or criticism. 
 
 * I have made a careful inquiry into the desirability of shorter hours for 
 employees in our state institutions. The result of the investigation shows : 
 (1) That the hours in this institution are practically the same as those of our 
 other institutions, and do not differ from those of similar institutions in other 
 states; (2) that the character of institutional labor is more closely allied to 
 that of domestic labor than to that of organized or unskilled day labor, and, 
 therefore, can not be placed upon the same basis, or considered from the same 
 point of view as is the ordinary laboring day ; (3) that the only way in which 
 it would be possible to shorten the institutional day would be by increasing the 
 expense for guards, attendants, nurses, etc., fifty per cent. M. E. HAY April 
 12, 1912. 
 
62 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 COMMITMENT. 
 
 The criminal courts of our state are daily committing to our 
 State Reformatory men of two classes, who are in no sense of 
 the word reformatory material ; ( 1 ) the habitual criminal, who 
 does not desire reformation, and who is a serious handicap to 
 the management in perfecting a genuine reformatory system; 
 (2) accidental criminals who are in need of neither reforma- 
 tory methods, nor of institutional life, and who could be handled 
 under an adult probation law. Before this condition can be 
 effectively altered it will be necessary for our judges handling 
 criminal calendars to have a more definite knowledge of our 
 reformatory methods and purpose ; a more definite knowledge of 
 the individual offender upon whom they pass sentence, and the 
 legal assistance of an adult probation law. 
 
 A detailed state investigation as to the class, age, character, 
 etc., of the various offenders appearing in our courts, and sen- 
 tenced to our institutions, would furnish the basis for intelligent 
 legislative enactment. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 The main forms of discipline are loss of privileges, reduction 
 in rank, increase in time, and confinement in correction cells. 
 Punishment is never imposed without the advice and consent 
 of the captain. No corporal punishment is allowed, and it is 
 a rule of the institution that no guard shall strike an inmate 
 except in self-defense, or to prevent escape. 
 
 The correction cells are light, and are in steam-heated build- 
 ings. A record of each punishment is kept showing date and 
 cause. Ninety-five per cent, of all officials, inmates, or others 
 interviewed declare that punishments are so light that they are 
 not worth naming. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 The physical well-being of the inmates is a matter of careful 
 attention. At entrance many are victims of drug, cigarette, 
 or liquor habits. Others are suffering from venereal diseases. 
 In the latter case every precaution is taken to protect others 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 from contagion. All clothing is handled in a separate laundry 
 and men so afflicted are given the best of medical attention. 
 
 Hospital facilities are good and an excellent physician is in 
 charge. We desire especially to commend the establishment of 
 the tubercular ward, which is well equipped for caring for pa- 
 tients of this class. 
 
 PAROLE. 
 
 The general parole system is explained in the Report of the 
 Board of Managers. A parole agent has recently been added 
 to the official corps. (1)* 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is furnished by the institution. Inmates of the first 
 and second grade are provided with blue suits, those in the 
 third grade with gray. Change in underwear and socks is 
 made weekly. Inmates sleep in their underwear, as no night 
 clothing is provided. There are some features of the present 
 dormitory system which would appear to justify this apparent 
 neglect. The completion of the cell block will remove any legiti- 
 mate objection to the use of special sleeping garments and it 
 is the purpose of the Board to include them in the necessary 
 articles of clothing. Handkerchiefs have not, as yet, been fur- 
 nished the inmates, but have been included in the requisition. (6) 
 
 Prior to parole each inmate is permitted to select his own 
 suit pattern and style, and his suit is made in the shops of the 
 institution. Guarantee of honorable employment is secured for 
 him, and he is furnished with transportation to his place of em- 
 ployment, and $5.00 in cash. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 Knowing that "food" is a constant cause for complaint in 
 almost every institution, an especial effort was made to visit 
 the kitchen and dining room each day of our stay. We were 
 present while the food was being prepared in the kitchen, saw 
 it served in the dining room, and visited the kitchen at the com- 
 
 * Numbers in parentheses in this report refer to the supplemental report on 
 pages 70, 71. 
 
64 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 . , . 
 
 pletion of the meal to ascertain what had remained uncalled for. 
 
 The kitchen is scrupulously clean, the best steam cookers are 
 in use, and there would seem to be a sufficiency of food. Vege- 
 tables are raised on the grounds and are abundant, and un- 
 usually nice. Meat is provided once a day, usually in the form 
 of stew. Fish is the regular Friday dinner, but is not relished 
 by the inmates because of the method of cooking. The coffee 
 compares favorably with that of the ordinary logging or rail- 
 road camp. Milk and sugar are allowed in small quantities. 
 Oatmeal and farina are the breakfast cereals. Butter is not 
 often provided. General oversight of the quality and quantity 
 of food is one of the regular duties of the institutional physician. 
 
 Cooking is done entirely by the inmates. This would seem 
 to us to be a mistaken economy. While we have reason to be- 
 lieve that occasionally the quality of the food may not have 
 been what it should be, still we believe that the greatest defect 
 in the culinary department is the lack of an experienced cook, 
 who knows how to make the best use of such material as is 
 provided. (2) 
 
 EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 Industrial. No inmate of the institution is idle. So far as 
 possible inmate labor has been utilized in clearing the land and 
 constructing the buildings. When the immediate necessity for 
 practical industrial occupations ceases to be furnished by the 
 demands of the state, industrial shops will be maintained to fill 
 this need. Agriculture in all its departments is taught. A 
 tailor shop, barber shop, and bakery are in operation, and 
 all the routine housework of the institution is done by the in- 
 mates. (4*) 
 
 Physical. A gymnasium is included in the plans for a com- 
 pleted institution. It is not yet built. 
 
 Military drill is in use to some extent. It is the intention of 
 the superintendent to make this a regular feature of the physi- 
 cal training department. 
 
 Moral and Intellectual. Since the reformatory features are 
 derived largely from the moral and intellectual opportunities, 
 
State Institutions of Washington 65 
 
 the chaplain occupies the most important position in the insti- 
 tution in this respect. All intellectual and moral and, to a con- 
 siderable extent, the social life of the inmates is directly under 
 his supervision. 
 
 The school work for the current year has just been organized, 
 and is intended to benefit all who have not completed the eighth 
 grade of the public school system. It is most desirable that 
 at least one thoroughly trained, efficient, citizen teacher be 
 placed in charge of this important part of the reformatory 
 work. 
 
 The hours from 5 :30 to 8 p. m. are a valuable part of the 
 day for the cultivation of individual talents, the enjoyment of 
 intellectual recreations, and character building, by means of the 
 various influences at command. These hours are not utilized as 
 well as one would wish them to be. The superintendent has 
 asked for a literary program at least once each week for the 
 coming season, and it is to be hoped that other means of mak- 
 ing these hours more profitable will also be found. (3) 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. That more effort be made to inform the public regarding 
 the character of reformatory work in general, the needs of the 
 Reformatory at Monroe, and the public support necessary in 
 order to carry out the purpose of the institution, and to realize 
 its greatest efficiency. 
 
 2. That the legislature be encouraged to pursue a more 
 liberal financial policy with reference to this institution. The 
 number and qualifications of officials should be increased and 
 salaries must correspond to the ability and efficiency of the 
 corps. 
 
 3. That more care be used in commitment, and that some 
 definite study, such as has been suggested in the findings, be 
 undertaken. 
 
 4. That the intellectual and social opportunities offered to 
 inmates be extended as rapidly as is consistent with the progress 
 of the institution. (3) 
 
 5 
 
66 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 5. That the educational work be placed under the super- 
 vision of the State Board of Education, and that a trained 
 citizen teacher be placed in charge of the same. (3) 
 
 6. That an assistant superintendent be employed. 
 
 7. That a professional cook be employed. 
 
 COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED. 
 
 MORAL. 
 
 Complaint 1. That the congregate system is affording a 
 school of crime for younger and better men. 
 
 Findings. In any penal or correctional institution there is 
 bound to be more or less depravity and vice, with the constant 
 tendency to drag men of keener abilities and purer minds to its 
 level. The inmates at Monroe are handled as carefully as is 
 possible in this respect. The new cell house will be a great help 
 in counteracting this tendency. 
 
 Complaint 2. That the dormitory system as now handled 
 encourages the practice of vice. 
 
 Findings. There is no evidence to warrant such a charge. At 
 Monroe no dormitory, except the honor room, is ever relieved of 
 guard supervision. The practice of vice is closely watched, and 
 is practically impossible except in such individual cases as are 
 bound to occur occasionally in any institution. 
 
 SANITARY CONDITIONS. 
 
 Complaint 3. That open toilets should not be permitted in 
 the dormitories. 
 
 Findings. Reasons for such arrangement are obvious, and 
 undoubtedly are well understood by the complainants. 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 Complaint 4- That the men are not permitted to have to- 
 bacco. 
 
 Findings. Nearly every man in the institution, who has been 
 addicted to the use of tobacco, regards it a personal grievance 
 
State Institutions of Washington 67 
 
 that the rules of the institution prohibit its use. The desira- 
 bility of the non-tobacco rule is so apparent that the complaint 
 could not be regarded as legitimate. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Complaint 5. That men who work outside in the rainy sea- 
 son have no change of footwear and suffer from sitting indoors 
 with wet feet. 
 
 Findings. All men who work in the wet are provided with 
 rubber boots which are removed when the work is completed. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Complaint 6. That punishments are severe and unreason- 
 able; that they are imposed for minor offenses, often at the 
 pleasure of the individual guard; that inmates are brutally 
 beaten and kicked by guards. 
 
 Findings. We have received a number of statements regard- 
 ing the brutal treatment of inmates. Among the complainants, 
 none has been an eye-witness, nor has he been able to direct us 
 to one who was. We have been unable to secure the name of a 
 single individual victim, to obtain the name of an official in- 
 volved, or even a date to aid us in verifying such statements. 
 Therefore, with second-hand evidence as our only source of in- 
 formation, and with no definite proof as to the accuracy of the 
 statements, we are forced to assume that they are without 
 foundation in fact, and are disproved by the rules and conduct 
 of the institution. 
 
 Complaint 7. That one certain boy, is habitually punished 
 by certain guards because of physical defects which prevent 
 prompt obedience. 
 
 Findings. The records of the institution show this boy's 
 punishments to be the results of acts in no way connected with 
 his physical condition. He is reported by so many different 
 guards that it would be impossible to assume prejudice upon 
 the part of any. 
 
68 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 Complaint 8. That correction cells are dark, the floors are 
 cement and at times coated with ice. Men are confined in these 
 cells bare-footed and insufficiently clothed. That six or seven 
 men were so confined for seven or eight days each, for making 
 complaint to the Governor regarding their treatment. 
 
 Findings. There arc no dark cells in the institution, none 
 with cement floors, and all are in steam-heated buildings. An 
 inmate is occasionally placed in a cell partially clothed, if ap- 
 prehended in that condition. His clothing is supplied as soon 
 as possible after confinement. 
 
 It was not possible to secure the name of a single man alleged 
 to have been punished for reporting to the Governor, nor was 
 there anything to prove that such an incident ever occurred. 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 Complaint 9. That the superintendent is incompetent ; brutal 
 in his methods of handling the men ; and not in sympathy with 
 true reformatory methods. 
 
 Findings. Our conclusions regarding the ability and char- 
 acter of the superintendent have been expressed in the findings. 
 
 Complaint 10. That the official who is charged with the in- 
 tellectual and social life of the inmates is not meeting the needs 
 of the institution. That he absented himself from the institu- 
 tion during the quarantine for scarlet fever when his oppor- 
 tunities for association with the men were unexcelled. That 
 fifty to sixty inmates have expressed a desire for an evening 
 Bible class, which has not yet been organized. (3) That it is 
 his privilege, and should be his pleasure, to make the evening 
 hours more profitable to the inmates in an intellectual and social 
 way. 
 
 Findings. These statements are found to be true, and are 
 supported by the testimony secured in interviews. 
 
 Complaint 11. That certain guards are unpopular alike with 
 inmates and fellow guards. 
 
 Findings. There is considerable, but by no means universal 
 
State Institutions of Washington 
 
 support for this statement. The superintendent realizes both 
 the justice and injustice of this complaint. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL WORK. 
 
 Complaint 12. That the school work of the reformatory is 
 sacrificed to pushing building construction. 
 
 Findings. Undoubtedly the educational work has, at times, 
 been subordinated to the material needs of the institution. This 
 is being remedied as rapidly as conditions permit. It must be 
 remembered, moreover, that the institution is yet in a forma- 
 tive stage, and that it is also the duty of the superintendent 
 to consider the man who is taxed to support this institution, as 
 well as the inmate who is confined within it. 
 
 SOCIAL AND LITERARY OPPORTUNITIES. 
 
 Complaint 13. That the inmates have no debates, lectures, 
 social games or clubs. 
 
 Findings. This subject has been mentioned in the findings. 
 The defect might be remedied in one of two ways : ( 1 ) By the 
 official who now combines this responsibility with other duties, 
 coming into closer touch with the inmates during the freedom 
 of the evening hours, studying their individual tendencies and 
 talents, and organizing such evening classes, reading clubs, etc.. 
 as would make these hours more profitable; or (2), and possibly 
 a better method, by employing a strong educational man who 
 could combine this responsibility w T ith actual school super- 
 vision. (3) 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 Complaint 14- That the food is unsatisfactory both as to 
 quality and quantity. Fish and beef are frequently tainted. 
 The men receive no sugar or butter. Vegetables are unclean, 
 and the coffee poor. Meat should be provided twice each day. 
 
 Findings. There is no evidence to prove that the food is 
 uniformly unsatisfactory. We have noted in the findings that 
 occasionally the quality may have been inferior, but such an 
 occurrence is an exception and is carefully guarded against. 
 
70 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 The quantity of food is also ordinarily sufficient. The requisi- 
 tion records of the institution show an allowance of four to five 
 pounds of sugar per month per inmate. The physician of the 
 institution expressed his entire satisfaction with the quality and 
 quantity of food. Comparison of the menu provided by the 
 Washington Reformatory, with that offered by other similar 
 institutions, is favorable. Sameness in the menu of institutions 
 of this character is common, and is difficult to overcome, es- 
 pecially when it is remembered that plenty of plain, wholesome 
 food is all that should be expected by the inmates, or provided 
 by the public. 
 
 It would seem to us that a professional cook might easily 
 remedy any legitimate complaint regarding this department. (2) 
 
 Nov. 7, 1911. 
 
 SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT. 
 
 Institutions, in their formative period, progress rapidly. 
 Each month brings some improvement which emphasizes the 
 general policy of the management and characterizes the purpose 
 of the institution. 
 
 We visited the State Reformatory again last week and found 
 several features mentioned in the above report already out of 
 date. Among the most noticeable changes are : 
 
 1. The Development of the Parole Department. At the 
 time of our report a parole agent had been employed. The 
 success of his work warranted expansion, and he has been placed 
 in charge of a parole department. Four definite lines of work 
 are undertaken : ( 1 ) A study of the characteristics of each man 
 prior to parole, in order to understand as thoroughly as pos- 
 sible his abilities and weaknesses before placing him in a posi- 
 tion. () Securing positions and maintaining an employers' 
 waiting list. (3) Co-operation with Y. M. C. A., churches and 
 other organizations in securing proper social and religious in- 
 fluence for paroled men. (4) The systematic guidance and 
 oversight of paroled men. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 71 
 
 2. An experienced steward has been placed in charge of the 
 culinary department and has entire charge of all cooking and 
 of the bakery. 
 
 3. The Department of Religious Instruction and Education 
 has been divided and an educational director has been appointed 
 to take charge of the educational work. 
 
 School sessions are held morning and afternoon of each school 
 day, and four evenings each week. Inmates below the seventh 
 grade attend day school for some portion of each day, those 
 beyond the seventh grade may attend the special evening classes. 
 
 Several new features in social, recreational, and literary lines 
 have been included under this new department. 
 
 Twenty-five copies of the World's Work are subscribed for 
 and used in place of reading books in the grammar grades. 
 
 The Protestant chaplain, in general charge of the moral and 
 religious instruction of inmates, has organized a Bible class, 
 a weekly meeting for prayer and conference, and a brotherhood 
 club for the discussion of ethical and sociological problems. A 
 Catholic priest has been employed as a visiting chaplain. 
 
 4. One new line of industrial training will soon be in opera- 
 tion. A complete job printing outfit has been purchased and 
 an institutional paper will be published. 
 
 5. The cell house has been commenced, but will not be com- 
 pleted for several months. 
 
 6. Pajamas have been made in the tailor shop and are fur- 
 nished for all inmates. Handkerchiefs are furnished for all 
 inmates. 
 
 [ANNA Y. REED, April 8, 1912.] 
 
Report of Conditions m the 
 
 REPORT ON STATE PENITENTIARY 
 AT WALLA WALLA. 
 
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND METHODS OF 
 INVESTIGATION. 
 
 The methods of investigation employed in studying the con- 
 ditions at the Penitentiary, and the sources of information are 
 practically the same as those described at some length in the 
 report recently submitted to you regarding the Reformatory 
 at Monroe. Inmate opinion was less freely sought; first, be- 
 cause, as was mentioned in the earlier reports, there is always 
 more or less danger in seeking information through such chan- 
 nels, and there being no especial object to be attained, it seemed 
 best to avoid the risk ; second, because the character of the com- 
 plaints received regarding this institution were not dependent 
 upon inmate evidence for proof or disproof. 
 
 Each inmate of the women's building was visited in her own 
 room and conversed with freely. Much of the most gratifying 
 and most desirable information regarding the conduct of this 
 important department was secured from this source of informa- 
 tion. 
 
 I am under great obligations to the official corps of the insti- 
 tution for the time placed at my disposal, the privileges granted 
 me, and the effort made to explain every department. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
 With the exception of the chapel or auditorium, which is to 
 be constructed at once, the institution at Walla Walla is con- 
 sidered to be complete. It shelters three classes of prisoners: 
 (1) Male convicts, (2) female convicts, and (3) the criminal 
 insane. 
 
 The Cell House for male prisoners is in charge of the chief 
 turnkey. It comprises five wings constructed with central cell 
 blocks of three tiers surrounded by corridors. There are 450 
 
State Institutions of Washington 73 
 
 cells in all. They vary slightly in size, the largest being 9x6 
 feet. Having been constructed under the older plan of prison 
 architecture no utility corridor is possible and the cell bucket is 
 a necessity. Ventilation is looked after as carefully as is pos- 
 sible, and, as a sanitary precaution, cell buckets are enclosed in 
 an air shaft. The cells are scrupulously clean. Each contains 
 two stools, and two bunks fitted with straw ticks, sheets, blan- 
 kets, and feather pillows. Electric lights are to be found in all 
 the cells, but there is only one, and that is so placed that it 
 lights the upper bunk only. 
 
 The Dining Room and Kitchen are under the direct super- 
 vision of the steward. It would be hard to find a finer or a bet- 
 ter equipped institutional kitchen. Thoroughly lighted, sani- 
 tary in every respect, provided with the best of ranges, steam 
 cookers, and other utensils, every facility is afforded for mak- 
 ing the culinary department one of the very best and most 
 modern in the state. 
 
 The dining room is equipped with the regular institutional 
 tables. Neither table cloth nor oil cloth is used. Dishes are of 
 enamel ware and knives and forks are steel. 
 
 The Hospital Building is complete in itself. The physician 
 lives in the building and has entire charge of the same. It com- 
 prises four wards, six private rooms, operating rooms, kitchen, 
 dining room, and the necessary offices. There is an open air 
 ward for those suffering from tubercular trouble. 
 
 The Administration Building contains the offices of the in- 
 stitution and also the officers' quarters. 
 
 The Industrial Shops include the the tailor shop, shoe shop, 
 carpenter shop, barber shop, tin shop and such other shops as 
 afford educational advantages to the inmates and meet the needs 
 of the institution. 
 
 The Jute Mill is under the supervision of a mill superintend- 
 ent. Something over a year ago the present mill was put into 
 operation and the old mill was abandoned. The new mill has 
 remedied many of the defects in the old. It is well lighted from 
 
74* Report of Conditions in the 
 
 the north, has 3% ventilators each 4 feet square, is heated by 
 steam, and affords employment for about 600 men. 
 
 The Institutional Farm comprises only 200 acres. Farming 
 and gardening are well looked after, but it is needless to state 
 that the acreage is entirely insufficient for the size of the insti- 
 tution. 
 
 THE OFFICIAL CORPS. 
 
 The official corps of the institution consists of 47 employees. 
 This number includes the superintendent, chaplain, physician, 
 the official in charge of the Bertillon and finger-print system, 
 two matrons, captain, chief turnkey, chief engineer, steward, 
 state clerk and others. 
 
 I am indebted to each one of these officials for much inter- 
 esting information respecting the various departments and for 
 many instructive and valuable facts and suggestions resulting 
 from prison experience. 
 
 The majority of the official corps seemed to be in sympathy 
 with modern institutional methods, and several proved to be 
 thoroughly familiar with all that is best in reformatory or 
 penal systems. There is no study or reading club among the 
 officials, no especial library provided for their use, and no 
 definite reading course suggested with a view to progress along 
 professional lines, or to instructing new officials in modern 
 theories of penology and criminology. 
 
 COMMITMENT. 
 
 In our report of November 7, 1911, relative to the Reforma- 
 tory, your attention was called to the lack of discrimination 
 exercised by our criminal courts in sentencing legal offenders 
 to that institution. Study of the age, character, previous his- 
 tory, and crimes of the inmates of the Penitentiary reveals the 
 same lack of discrimination relative to commitments to the 
 Walla Walla institution. In establishing the Reformatory at 
 Monroe it would seem to have been the purpose of the state to 
 sentence to the Penitentiary three classes of criminals: (1) 
 Habitual and incorrigible criminals who do not desire reforma- 
 
State Institutions of Washington 75 
 
 tion and possibly may never be capable of reinstatement in so- 
 ciety, (2) men of older years who, while they may desire refor- 
 mation, have not sufficient will power to refrain from evil doing, 
 and hence would be objectionable as associates for youthful 
 offenders, (3) younger men who are denied the advantages of 
 the Reformatory because of the nature of their crime. 
 
 In addition to the above our courts frequently sentence to 
 the Penitentiary the accidental criminal, who has no logical 
 place in either institution, and who should be handled under an 
 adult probation law, and the first-time youthful offender whom 
 the law intended to go to Monroe. The records of the Peni- 
 tentiary show that 18 youths under twenty years of age, and 
 104 between the ages of nineteen and twenty -five years are now 
 serving sentences in this institution. Of this number 108 are 
 first offenders. The total number of first offenders under thirty 
 years of age is at present 298. One boy, seventeen years of 
 age, is serving a long sentence for a crime which would go far 
 toward proving him to be a moral degenerate, and not a proper 
 subject for any penal institution. This case was especially in- 
 teresting as we had just visited the Feeble-Minded Institution 
 where another boy nineteen years of age is in permanent custody 
 for the same class of degeneracy. 
 
 IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM. 
 
 The Bertillon system of measurements, and the finger-print 
 system of recording and identifying criminals, have both been 
 introduced into the State Penitentiary. A trained man who 
 devotes his entire time to the work has been in the service of the 
 state about eighteen months. The institution is registered in 
 the Leavenworth Identification Bureau and hence the state is not 
 only securing the benefit of co-operation in the suppression of 
 crime, but it is also making important contributions to the same. 
 Each prisoner is photographed, and every effort is made to 
 ascertain and record facts relative to his past life. The system 
 of recording the cases, and the methods of identification, are ex- 
 ceedingly interesting, and are worthy of careful study. About 
 
76 Report of Conditions m the 
 
 one-half the prisoners at Walla Walla have done time elsewhere, 
 or have been two or three times in our own institution.* 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Great progress has been made within the last year or two in 
 the matter of prison discipline. The lock-step has been abol- 
 ished, stripes are no longer worn except for punishment, and all 
 unusual forms of discipline have been permanently discarded. 
 The subject of discipline is not troubling either the warden or 
 the inmates of the Penitentiary. 
 
 All punishments are under the direction of the warden, all 
 are recorded, and each inmate knows his own standing. No 
 corporal punishment is allowed. Red stripes are worn for at- 
 tempt to escape, for the practice of vice, and for continual vio- 
 lation of rules. Correction cells, which correspond to the or- 
 dinary prison cell, are used for long periods of solitary con- 
 finement ; the dungeon, which is of steel and is dark, is used for 
 short periods of more severe punishment. Other forms of pun- 
 ishment are loss of yard privilege, loss of tobacco, etc. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS. 
 
 The graded system has not yet been introduced into our penal 
 institution. No attempt at classification has been made except 
 so far as the assignment of cell-mates is concerned. It is most 
 unfortunate for the institution that 450 cells must be made to 
 accommodate 706 prisoners. This means that the two in a cell 
 system, which is universally recognized as the worst of all prison 
 systems, is the only one which it is possible to follow at the 
 Penitentiary. Every precaution is taken by the officer who has 
 the assignment of cells to avoid the dangers of this system, and 
 it would seem that the utmost protection and care was being 
 given to every inmate. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 The physician has the general care of the health of the pris- 
 oners. There is no department for physical training and no 
 
 * No accurate statistics are as yet possible regarding second-time prisoners. 
 This statement is an estimate given me by Mr. Pope, in charge of the Identifica- 
 tion Bureau. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 77 
 
 system of military drill. Insane convicts, and such as are con- 
 fined in cells, are exercised daily in the court. Baths are per- 
 mitted weekly, and only showers are in use. One towel per week 
 is allowed each inmate. Facilities for washing morning and 
 evening are not as abundant as could be wished. 
 
 About ninety per cent, of the prisoners have at some time suf- 
 fered from venereal diseases, and 17 or 18 are at present confined 
 in the syphilitic corridor. Patients of this class are kept en- 
 tirely apart from the other prisoners ; they eat at a separate 
 table and dishes are boiled ten minutes after each meal ; their 
 laundry is cared for separately and every precaution is taken 
 to protect other inmates from infection.* 
 
 Tubercular patients are segregated in an open air sitting 
 room and dormitory. There are five patients in this ward. 
 Their meals are served separately and their reading matter is 
 not allowed to be used by other convicts. Each patient suffer- 
 ing from pulmonary tuberculosis has his own sputum cup and 
 the precautionary rules for tubercular patients are posted in 
 the ward. 
 
 All cooking for hospital patients is done in the hospital 
 kitchen, under the direction of the physician. It is also one of 
 the duties of the physician to pass judgment upon the quantity 
 and quality of the food provided for convicts. 
 
 CLOTHING. 
 
 Clothing is furnished by the state. The regulation prison 
 uniform is dark blue. Cotton flannel underwear is made in the 
 institution. Underwear, shirts and socks are changed weekly. 
 Handkerchiefs and night clothing are not furnished. 
 
 Release and parole clothing is furnished by the institution. 
 Suits from a variety of patterns are made in the tailor shops. 
 Prisoners who desire may purchase certain articles of clothing 
 for themselves. 
 
 * These statements are based upon information secured from the physician 
 and not upon personal knowledge. 
 
78 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 No complaint comes more generally and more constantly to 
 the student of institutional life than does that of "poor food." 
 During the period in which I have been working under your 
 direction this complaint has come to me so often, from both 
 inmates and the general public, that I have deemed it worthy of 
 serious effort to determine, if possible, how far the diet of our 
 various state institutions corresponded to reasonable and recog- 
 nized standards. Knowing that data was now available which 
 would permit a nutrition expert to pass judgment upon the 
 dietary problem of any given institution, and failing to secure 
 the information desired by comparison with the menus of insti- 
 tutions in other states, I entered into correspondence with one 
 of the best known nutrition experts in the country, one who has 
 made an especial study of diet in public institutions. Through 
 his courtesy an opinion has been received upon the menus of 
 several of our state institutions, and the generous offer of any 
 further assistance desired. 
 
 The dining room and kitchen at the Penitentiary have re- 
 ceived the most careful attention. The quality, quantity, va- 
 riety and preparation of food would indicate that there could 
 be no legitimate criticism in comparison with commonly ac- 
 cepted dietary standards. The food was simple, as it should be ; 
 it was wholesome and reasonable in cost, was well prepared and 
 abundant. Meat is provided three times a day, baked fish is 
 offered on Friday, dessert is a regular part of the dinner, mush 
 is sweetened in the kitchen and milk is usually provided. Pro- 
 fessional cooks are always found among the inmates and as a 
 rule take pride in their work. The total expense per day per 
 prisoner is 13 8-10 cents. 
 
 The silent system is observed during meals. 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 The state furnishes tobacco to insane and life prisoners, and 
 to some who are serving long sentences. Such others as desire 
 may purchase it for themselves. Purchases in this line amount 
 to about $250 per month. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 79 
 
 LABOR AND INDUSTRIES. 
 
 The economic, industrial and educational questions involved 
 in prison labor are presenting some of the most serious prob- 
 lems of the time, and are demanding practical solution on all 
 sides. Penologists agree that prison labor is a necessity, (1) 
 as a means of discipline, () as a reformative influence, (3) as 
 an aid to physical, mental and moral well-being, and (4) as a 
 means of reducing the cost to taxpayers. The best system of 
 prison labor is bound to be the system which meets most of these 
 requirements. 
 
 All prisoners who are capable of labor are required to work. 
 Much of the time it is difficult to provide suitable labor for the 
 aged and cripple convicts. 
 
 There is no penal labor as distinct from useful or productive 
 occupation, and no contract labor. Both the state use and the 
 state account system are employed. 
 
 Several trades and industries fit inmates to earn their liveli- 
 hood when released. Among those in which the educative pro- 
 cess is most prominent are cabinet making and carpentry, sheet 
 metal work, engineering, brick making, and tailoring. Two or 
 three of the industrial shops are prepared to send their products 
 to the other institutions of the state. One thousand suits for the 
 insane hospitals are now being made in the tailor shop, and 
 both the tin shop and the carpenter shop are ready to contribute 
 to the equipment of other institutions. 
 
 Various domestic industries are carried on as the needs of the 
 institution demand. 
 
 The jute mill furnishes employment for a large number of 
 unskilled laborers and its product is not brought into competi- 
 tion with that of free labor, but it does not include the educa- 
 tional factor. Just how far it will ultimately contribute to the 
 financial support of the institution is still an open question. At 
 the present time the mill is being operated with about one-half 
 the full force, the work is light and during the longer days the 
 regulation task is often completed before closing hours. Dur- 
 
80 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 ing the winter months the work day averages 7 to 8 hours, dur- 
 ing the summer months 10 hours. 
 
 Convicts labor in quarry and road camps. The class of pris- 
 oners assigned to such labor, and the management, are discussed 
 at length in the report of the Board of Control. 
 
 The silent system is not observed during labor. 
 
 Prisoners receive no per cent, of the earnings of industries, 
 and no payment of wages. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 Moral and Religious. The moral and religious instruction of 
 the prisoners is under the care of the chaplain who is especially 
 desirous of extending his influence to incorporate reformatory 
 methods. Public services are held on Sunday morning, a Bible 
 class composed of 50 to 75 members meets on Sunday afternoon. 
 A Catholic priest visits the institution and conducts services at 
 his convenience and as there are a good many Catholics the 
 services are much appreciated. Christian Science service is 
 held monthly. 
 
 The chaplain also visits and counsels the prisoners and, with 
 a convict assistant, has charge of the library. 
 
 Literary. There are no schools or classes for the instruction 
 of convicts. 
 
 No daily papers or magazines are subscribed for by the in- 
 stitution, but back numbers of magazines are often contributed, 
 and prisoners are allowed to subscribe personally for such 
 magazines and papers as they may desire, except that news- 
 papers published in Washington and neighboring states are 
 prohibited. 
 
 No institutional paper is published. 
 
 The prison library comprises about 3,000 volumes, including 
 school texts. Fiction forms by far the greater part of the li- 
 brary. There was a noticeable dearth of reading matter which 
 is both instructive and entertaining. No library catalogue is 
 given to prisoners, and the method of selection and distribution 
 of books is not calculated to inspire and direct literary effort. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 81 
 
 Musical. There is both a prison orchestra and a prison band. 
 Neither has a civilian leader, and the orchestra is badly in need 
 of leadership of any kind. Singing at the Sunday service was 
 not of the quality which one would expect to find in so large an 
 institution, and it seemed unfortunate that no especially trained 
 quartette or chorus was used to aid in this part of the service. 
 When the chapel is completed it is to be hoped that a good 
 piano and plenty of good music will be provided. 
 
 RECREATION. 
 
 Prisoners are given the freedom of the yard on Sunday from 
 10 to 11 :30 a. m. As a rule ball is played. 
 
 PAROLE. 
 
 Only first offenders are eligible for parole, and none who has 
 violated the rules within six months can apply for it. A parole 
 officer has recently been employed and has under his care 48 
 men. As a rule supervision is exercised for six months. The 
 superintendent makes an especial effort to ascertain the char- 
 acter and good faith of the parties to whom prisoners are 
 paroled, but with the utmost of care failures are inevitable. 
 
 CRIMINAL INSANE. 
 
 There are 17 insane convicts confined in one of the cell wings 
 at the Penitentiary. Other cells in the same wing are occupied 
 by civil prisoners who are thus subjected to much annoyance. 
 
 The Penitentiary has no especial conveniences for caring for 
 the insane, no especial attendants, no industries, and they are 
 confined in their cells except for daily exercise in the court. It 
 is a great misfortune that the Penitentiary should be called 
 upon to care for this class of criminal. 
 
 WOMEN'S BUILDING. 
 
 Equipment. The building which shelters the women inmates 
 is one of the oldest at the Penitentiary. Convicted women are 
 brought to the institution by their own sex and are turned over 
 to the matron immediately upon their arrival. 
 
82 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 The assistant matron lives in the building and devotes her 
 entire time and interest to the welfare of her charges. At pres- 
 ent there are eleven inmates. One is insane and 6 are colored. 
 
 Each inmate has her own private room ; there are no bars and 
 no locked doors except the outer doors and windows. The rooms 
 are all large and are well equipped with bed, mattress, good 
 bedding and pillow, rug, table and chair. Baths may be had 
 as frequently as is desired. 
 
 The freedom of the house is allowed inmates at all times ex- 
 cept during punishment. The insane inmate is not violent and 
 mingles freely with the others. 
 
 The Dining Room also serves the purpose of a sitting room, 
 sewing room and chapel. Table cloths, and as a rule napkins, 
 are used. China dishes are provided but steel knives and forks 
 are in use except when the individual provides her own. 
 
 Food. All food is prepared in the general kitchen and is sent 
 to the women's building ready for the table. It is of the same 
 quality as that provided for the men. Meat is served once per 
 day. 
 
 Clothing. Clothing is provided by the state and is made by 
 the inmates. Blue wash dresses, night clothing and muslin un- 
 derwear are furnished for all. 
 
 Occupations. Each woman is required to work 4% hours 
 per day with half time on Saturday. The chief occupations are 
 sewing, button-hole making, and laundry for themselves and 
 for the officers' dining room. 
 
 Several hours daily are at the disposal of the inmates. Most 
 have learned to do embroidery and various kinds of fancy work, 
 several do painting. Articles made by the inmates are sold when 
 possible and the money credited to the individual's account. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 Moral and Intellectual. The chaplain holds services every 
 Sunday morning at 9 o'clock. There are no Catholic women 
 among the inmates. There is an organ in the dining room and 
 the singing was very good. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 83 
 
 The assistant matron meets such of the inmates as may de- 
 sire each evening in the dining room and offers two lines of 
 educational work, (1) school work for such as are illiterate, or 
 may desire to continue their studies, (2) some definite line of 
 reading which is selected with a view to increasing knowledge, 
 awakening the intellect and raising the standard of literary 
 taste. At the present time Stoddard's Lectures are being read 
 and a large atlas is used as an aid to understanding them in- 
 telligently. Frequently the women sit with their fancy work 
 while the matron reads or visits with them. During these so- 
 cial hours many opportunities are offered for the tactful intro- 
 duction of topics bearing upon morality and social obligations. 
 I was strongly impressed with the fact that personality is 
 silently influencing personality in this department of our Peni- 
 tentiary, that an irresistible education was going on day after 
 which was bound to influence the future lives of the inmates. 
 
 Library books are brought from the general library every 
 two weeks. There is no library selected with especial reference 
 to the needs and interests of women, and no magazines are taken 
 for their especial use. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Manslaughter and grand larceny are the two crimes which 
 have sent women to the Penitentiary, therefore most are serving 
 long terms and are dependent upon the merit system for release. 
 
 Discipline is never severe, the dungeon is used when neces- 
 sary, but as a rule loss of privileges is the only form of pun- 
 ishment. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 1. The re-enactment of section 3 of the Indeterminate Sen- 
 tence Law of 1907. 
 
 No law enacted in recent years has been of greater benefit to 
 prison discipline than the indeterminate sentence law. In or- 
 der to secure the best results from this law it is necessary for 
 the superintendents of our institutions to have at their com- 
 mand the fullest possible information relative to the past life 
 
84 Report of Conditions m the 
 
 and character of the inmates. It was most unfortunate that 
 this important section of the law should have been repealed, and 
 the first opportunity should be taken to secure its re-enactment. 
 
 2. The payment of a small wage to inmates. Correspond- 
 ence with a number of superintendents of prisons and reforma- 
 tories reveals a great difference of opinion upon this subject. 
 Some very interesting personal observations and suggestions 
 have been received from the superintendents where the plan is 
 being tried. These are well worthy of study in considering our 
 own problem. Concensus of opinion would seem to favor the 
 payment of a small wage the amount to be determined upon 
 some basis in harmony with the theories of penal psychology, 
 and the sum so accumulated to be controlled in such a way that 
 it will be of definite use to the prisoner or his family. 
 
 3. Purchase of a better grade of knives and forks for use in 
 the inmates' dining room. The use of china dishes in place of 
 the enamel ware is generally conceded to be desirable. Person- 
 ally I see no objection to the latter if the quality be good, and 
 if worn utensils are promptly replaced. 
 
 4. The establishment of a night school which shall be a 
 school of character as well as a purely literary school. Handled 
 by an expert such a school would develop the moral sense, as 
 well as increase the knowledge of convicts, and could be made 
 a powerful instrument of reform. 
 
 I am thoroughly convinced from what I have seen of our own 
 institution, and from information secured from others, that such 
 a school is needed, and would be appreciated. Out of the 901 
 prisoners registered at Walla Walla at the date of the last re- 
 port, 98 could neither read nor write, 15 could read only, and 
 70 others had no education beyond ability to read and write. 
 Our city boards of education are offering night school advan- 
 tages to hundreds of adults who can neither read nor write, and 
 to such others as desire advanced educational work. Is it not 
 perfectly logical, and does not the safety of the state demand 
 that illiterates imprisoned in our institutions be given this ele- 
 mentary instruction, and that it be made compulsory? 
 
State Institutions of Washington 85 
 
 Educational efforts in behalf of prisoners will always meet 
 with some discouragements, be attended with some dangers, and 
 cause additional responsibility, but the balance of testimony is 
 bound to favor educational work in all institutions whether penal 
 or reformatory. 
 
 Inasmuch as superintendents usually prefer to conduct night 
 classes either within the cell house, or in a building connected 
 with the same, it may be necessary to consider some especial 
 arrangement for class rooms in case the recommendation for 
 educational work should be approved. 
 
 5. The introduction of the graded system. 
 
 6. Consideration of the desirability of an institutional pa- 
 per. Nearly every up-to-date reformatory and a number of 
 better class penal institutions have had such papers for years. 
 There is much to be said in their favor and I do not know of a 
 single instance in which other than good results have been re- 
 ported. 
 
 7. Increased library facilities and the broadening of its 
 scope to include more volumes treating of science, history, biog- 
 raphy and travel. 
 
 In order to select any library efficiently there are two indis- 
 pensable factors, (1) knowledge of the needs of the person to 
 be served and (2) knowledge of the quality of the books fur- 
 nished. This specialized knowledge can hardly be expected of 
 prison officials but must be sought within the field of the trained 
 librarian. Fortunately for the State of Washington one of her 
 resident librarians is a member of the special committee on peni- 
 tentiary libraries reporting to the League of Library Commis- 
 sions. The State of Oregon is also fortunate in having in her 
 service another national leader in prison library standards. 
 From these sources I have obtained much information as to the 
 general principles by which one should be guided in selecting 
 prison libraries, the class of fiction suitable for prisoners, the 
 ratio between educational and recreational works, and the best 
 methods of utilizing the library. 
 
86 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 8. Provision for the criminal insane, as well as the insane 
 criminal, elsewhere than at the Penitentiary. 
 
 9. An adult probation law which will relieve the Penitentiary 
 of caring for accidental criminals. 
 
 10. Greater care on the part of the courts in committing 
 only penitentiary material to this institution. 
 
 COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED. 
 
 Complaint 1. That food furnished inmates is unsatisfactory 
 both in quantity and quality. 
 
 Complaint 2. That no educational facilities are offered to 
 men who desire to improve. 
 
 Complaint 3. That no underwear is furnished, and men fre- 
 quently suffer from cold. 
 
 Findings. Each of the above complaints has been carefully 
 considered in the report. 
 
 Complaint 4- That cells are cold in the evening hours. 
 
 Findings. Cells are comfortably heated during the evening 
 hours and also on Sunday. I received no information which 
 would lead me to suppose that they were not always comfortable 
 during the hours of occupancy. 
 
 Complaint 5. That employment in the jute mill is injurious 
 to the health because of dust. 
 
 Findings. Probably this was true in regard to the old mill. 
 The new mill is well ventilated and was comparatively free from 
 dust. Considerable dust is caused by the breaking up of the 
 bundles but this requires only a couple of hours of work each 
 day and employs only three or four men. 
 
 Complaint 6. That inmates are not allowed to have their 
 hair. 
 
 Findings. The hair of all inmates, except those employed as 
 clerks and a few others, is clipped. This is a necessary regula- 
 tion at entrance, but it would seem that there could be but three 
 reasons for its continuance, (1) as a sanitary measure, which, 
 
State Institutions of Washington 87 
 
 in view of the fact that the institution is in a thoroughly sani- 
 tary condition and that many larger institutions permit inmates 
 to keep their hair, would not seem to be a valid reason; (2) as a 
 factor in the older penal system by which a prisoner was made 
 to feel his humiliation; (3) as a -means of identification in case 
 of escape. So few convicts escape that it would hardly seem 
 necessary to retain this custom as a means of identification. 
 
 Complaint 7 . That the women of the institution are not well 
 cared for. 
 
 Findings. I have received many complaints regarding the 
 treatment of women at the Penitentiary, and also many requests 
 from women's clubs and from individuals that an especial effort 
 be made to ascertain the truth of these reports. 
 
 For this reason I have given considerable space in the body 
 of the report to the subject of the women's building. I am 
 pleased to be able to state again that the care of the unfor- 
 tunate women who are sentenced to our Penitentiary should be 
 a matter of pride to every woman in the state. I trust that 
 women's organizations throughout the state will try to become 
 thoroughly informed regarding this department, and will lend 
 their sympathy and encouragement to the officials who are 
 making so many social sacrifices in order to carry on this work. 
 
 Dec. 27, 1911. 
 
88 Report of Conditions m the 
 
 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 As a result of our general study of institutional methods and 
 equipment, of our visits to various institutions in eastern states, 
 and of our recent detailed studies of all the institutions of both 
 Oregon and Washington, we offer the following general con- 
 clusions and recommendations regarding the institutions of 
 Washington : 
 
 Our Institutional Farms are neither as large, nor as fertile 
 as could be wished. Larger and more productive farms would 
 have been better economy for the state, and more beneficial to 
 the population of the various institutions. 
 
 Buildings, with one or two exceptions, are as good as could be 
 expected in any state. Newer structures are fire-proof, sanitary 
 in every way, and modern in arrangement and equipment. Older 
 buildings are being constantly repaired and, so far as possible, 
 modernized. 
 
 Our greatest needs in this line at the present time are: 
 
 1. The employment of a state architect so that additions to 
 present institutions, or the establishment of new, may follow 
 well organized plans. 
 
 2. The expansion of the capacity of the Institution for the 
 Feeble-Minded. 
 
 3. The completion of the Reformatory at Monroe, and a 
 liberal financial policy which will allow the institution to fill the 
 purpose for which it was established. 
 
 4. The completion of the buildings planned for the Blind 
 and Deaf Schools, at Vancouver. 
 
 5. A new kitchen and greenhouses for the Hospital at Medi- 
 cal Lake. 
 
 6. A gymnasium and reading room for boys at the State 
 Training School. 
 
 7. The erection of residences for the superintendents of our 
 institutions as rapidly as the state is able. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 89 
 
 The superintendent of the Reformatory, and of the Peniten- 
 tiary have very nice residences ; the superintendents of the two 
 Hospitals have very comfortable rooms within the institution ; 
 and the superintendents of our four other institutions have no 
 satisfactory home life at all. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS. 
 
 The superintendents, to whom the management of our state 
 institutions has been entrusted, are, as a corps, above the aver- 
 age of most institutional officials. All are in the prime of life, 
 several are professionally trained, and the greater part are 
 students of their particular phase of institutional life. 
 
 The character of institutional work has changed much in the 
 last decade. Washington is a long distance from the profes- 
 sional centers of the country, and several of our superintend- 
 ents are meeting serious problems with but little help in their 
 solution. 
 
 The efforts which our superintendents are making to conduct 
 their institutions along modern lines, and the efficient service 
 which they are rendering the state, entitles them to, and should 
 command, the respect, gratitude, confidence and commendation 
 of the public. 
 
 However, the success of our institutions is not due entirely 
 to the fact that we have an efficient official corps. Back of this 
 fact is a second factor one which is most important in secur- 
 ing and retaining efficient officials the non-political character 
 of our institutional positions. Under the present administra- 
 tion our institutions have been entirely free from political in- 
 trigue or control. If this continues to be the case, and if the 
 Public will do its share in the shape of legislation, sympathy, 
 and co-operation, the State of Washington will rank second to 
 none in the efficiency of her state institutions. 
 
 SALARIES. 
 
 In general our institutional workers are well paid. In fact 
 our wage scale is above the average. In some instances salaries 
 need re-adjusting, and the policy of increasing a superintend- 
 
90 Report of Conditions in the 
 
 ent's salary through the employment of his wife as matron, or 
 through enlarging her salary in such a position, is to be heartily 
 condemned. Why not pay our superintendents what they are 
 worth to the state, and then, if their wives are qualified to act 
 as matrons, pay them also what they are worth? 
 
 HOURS OF DUTY. 
 
 In all state institutions hours are long. The Washington 
 requirements compare favorably with those of other states, and 
 we saw no way to shorten the hours without increasing the 
 public expense for such services from one-third to one-half. 
 
 MATERIAL NEEDS OF INMATES. 
 
 Inmates of our various institutions are well cared for from 
 a material point of view. 
 
 Beds are clean and comfortable. Mattresses, pillows, sheets 
 and blankets are provided in all of our correctional institutions. 
 
 Clothing is warm and comfortable and is usually abundant. 
 We would recommend that night clothmg and handkerchiefs be 
 furnished to all state wards, of both sexes ; that bath towels be 
 furnished to inmates of our correctional institutions ; and that 
 roller towels be permanently discarded in all of our institutions. 
 
 The Dietary of our institutions is satisfactory. Our reports 
 contain criticism of but two institutions in this respect, and the 
 cause of dissatisfaction in one has already been removed. 
 
 The Health of the state's wards is carefully looked after. 
 Only one institution seemed to be in any way negligent in this 
 respect. There was little fault to find with sanitary conditions, 
 and bathing facilities were satisfactory in most of the institu- 
 tions. 
 
 Physical Training is not given the attention which it should 
 have, especially at our State Training School. 
 
 A teacher of physical culture and of folk dancing for the 
 blind, deaf, feeble-minded, and delinquent girls would be a great 
 addition and could be provided with little expense. 
 
State Institutions of Washington 91 
 
 RELIGIOUS AND MORAL TRAINING. 
 
 Non-denominational religious services are common in all our 
 institutions, although, where possible, both Protestant and 
 Catholic services are held. 
 
 The moral atmosphere in most of the institutions was ex- 
 cellent. 
 
 LITERARY AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 School Work was uniformly satisfactory in but two of our 
 institutions. This is due largely to the fact that the educa- 
 tional work offered by our state institutions is not considered 
 a part of the state educational system, and is too often in the 
 hands of incompetent instructors. 
 
 We make the following general recommendations with refer- 
 ence to educational work: 
 
 1. That the educational departments of all state institutions 
 be placed under the supervision of the State Board of Educa- 
 tion. 
 
 2. That the number of pupils per teacher be lessened. 
 
 3. That only professionally trained teachers be employed in 
 institutional work. 
 
 4. That industrial efficiency and economic independence be 
 included in the educational departments of our state schools. 
 
 Libraries in our state institutions were quite uniformly un- 
 satisfactory. This is especially true with reference to our cor- 
 rectional institutions. We have called attention to this in the 
 individual reports, and have also mentioned the superiority of 
 the Oregon system, and explained the reasons for the same. 
 
 We are convinced that the biennial appropriation is sufficient 
 to maintain better libraries, and hence we recommend a detailed 
 study of our institutional libraries and the manner in which this 
 fund is expended, together with the securing of expert opinion 
 as to the selection, classification and methods of utilizing the 
 books. 
 
Report of Conditions in the 
 
 LEGISLATION. 
 
 Many of the changes recommended in the individual reports 
 are dependent for their introduction upon the initiative of the 
 superintendent. Some have already been made, and attention has 
 been called to the same in foot notes. Others cannot be made 
 without legislative enactment and hence are dependent upon the 
 will of the public. Among the greatest needs in this line are : 
 
 1. The establishment of a Girls' Training School entirely 
 independent of the Boys' School at Chehalis. 
 
 . Legislation which will allow the Institution for the 
 Feeble-Minded to render more efficient service to the state. 
 
 3. The recognition of the schools for the physically and 
 mentally defective children of the state as a part of the state 
 school system. 
 
 4. The enactment of an adult probation law. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 MAY B. GOLDSMITH. 
 ANNA Y. REED. 
 April 15, 1912. 
 
 Seattle, Washington. 
 
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YC 35732 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY