MENTAL HOSPITAL SURVEY COMMITTEE

50 WEST 50rh STREET, Room 822, NEW YORK CITY

THE COMMITTEE

WALTER L, TREADWAY, M.D., CHAIRMAN DIRECTOR

S. SPAFFORD ACKERLY, M.D. ° Dy
lowis OAsgaij6n, 1 SAMUEL W. HAMILTON, M.D
ROSS McC, CHAPMAN, M.D.

FRANKLIN G. EBAUGH, M.D. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
CLARENCE M. HINCKS, M.D. GROVER A. KEMPF, M.D.
J. ALLEN JACKSON, M.D.

BERNARD T. MCGHIE, M.D.

ARTHUR P. NOYES, M.D.

WINFRED OVERHOLSER, M.D.

FREDERICK W. PARSONS, M.D.

ARTHUR H, RUGGLES, M.D.

WILLIAM L, RUSSELL, M.D. ) 9
H. DOUGLAS SINGER, M.D. December 2€, 1957

Dr. Lawrence Kolb, Medical Director
U. ©. Public Health Service Hospital
Lexington, Kentucky

Dear Dr. Kolb:

Naturelly, I am very much interested in your letter
of the 23rd.

The Governor and the Commissioner of Welfare would
have been very much pleased if Dr. Ackerly would have under-
taken the state job. They proposed that he do it on a part-
time basis, with some young man to help him for the state and
some other young man to help him with his teaching. Hé wonder-
ed if duty called him, but concluded -- I think wisely -- that
such conditions of work would be impossible. Moreover, he will
be in position to support anyone who does undertake the adminis--
trative job.

Under conditions created by the state constitution, it
is probeble that Kentucky can make more progress under a borrowed
commissioner than under someone who could be appointed permenent-
ly. Men of experience in secure positions elsewhere may not be
eager to undertake something that has only two years of certi-
tude. Of course, it is hoped that Lieutenant-Governor Johnson
will succeed his chief, since he is believed to have a friendly at-
titude towards the progress of mental institutions. If you should
consent to undertake this work, it would be e tremendously fine
thing for Kentucky, and I think that perhaps you would get some en-
joyment out of it. Dr. Ackerly said he would be much pleased.

The Commissioner of Health and the president of the univer-
sity insist that their jobs do not end with the Governor's tern,
and the issue has apparently never been pressed in court. The
Comaissioner of Health is a very astute man; furthermore, it was

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR MENTAL HYGIENE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY AMERICAN NEUROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
THE CANADIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR MENTAL HYGIENE THE CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Dr. Lawrence Kolb -~2- 12.28.37

arranged that his successor would be picked from a list
submitted by the State Medical Society, and spoilsmen in

the Governor's chair might not get much comfort from such

an arrangement. The president of the state university de-
clares that his appointment is for good behavior. It is

of course highly desirable and, in my opinion, essential to
any continued progress in the institutions that some device
be found by which men and women can make the care and treat-
ment of the mentally sick a career in Kentucky, as it is in
Michigan or Massachusetts. In any state, occasional casual-
ties will occur, but in most states the medical positions, at
least, are career jobs.

We are having sent to you the laws of Massachusetts and
New York, and also the new state hospital law of Michigan. When
Dr. Zubin gets back, we will send you some figures ¢ on pay and
allowances for medical positions.
Let us know whenever we can be of any help.
Yours very cordially,

lh V0 Wen Dl te,

Director

SWH:S