U. S&S. Public Health Service Hospital,
Lexington, Kentucky.

December 23, 1937.

Dr. Samel W. Hamilton,

National Committee for Mental Hygiee,
50 Yest SOth Street,

New York, N. Y.

Dear Dr. Hamilton:

I heard yesterday that the Surgeon General was to be asked to permit
me to take up some extra work in connection with organizing the mental
hospitals in Kentucky. I assume that you ere in a measure guilty and so
I am writing to ask something about it.

Of course, I am very busy and have no desire to take on anything ex-
tra, but I know that conditions in this State are bad and if you have pre-
peared the ground by convincing the Governor thet I am a Messiah, the time
and setting is doubtless opportwme for putting over something constructive.

There is one thing I would like to know before consenting to do any-
thing, and that is the present position of Dr. Ackerly with the Governor,
Dr, Ackerly, as you probably know, has been advisor with a position but
without authority and I have constilted with the Governor along with Dr.
Ackerly on several occasions. My reletions with Ackerly have been cordial
and I would not care to do anything to offend.him.

The Govemor, once in conference with Ackerly, Treadway, myself, and
several others, said that he would be willing to sponsor legislation to put
the hospitals under « board of governors or something to that effect, and
I urged Ackerly to take him up on this, but nothing came of it.

The most pressing need in Kentucky is, I believe, a personnel reorgan-
ization so that there will be security of position, better pay and an in-
ereased number of employees. Better buildings are, of course, needed but
a start on this has been made.

| Since it is remotely possible that I may be drafted into this work and
you have made a study of the situation here as well as elsewhere, you are
doubtless in a position to make some pertiumnt suggestions. Legislation is
needed and could be put over now, if ever. Perhaps we could have a set-up
here modeled after one of the States like New York or Massachusetts that
presumedly have a good set-up, but modified to suit Kentucky conditions,
You probably know that the Constitution of the State of Kentucky requires
every officer to be appointed again or get out at the end of four years,
and limits the salary to $5,000 per year. I wonder if you have copies of
fs

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the lew dealing with. the mental hygiene and State hospital set-up in
States like New York end Massachusetts or in some other State that you
might think even better of and could send these to me with any sugges~
tions you may have. Iam thinking about the time situation here and the .
fact that the legislature will not stay in session forever, Would you
algo let me know what the payed allowances of superintendents and medical
officers in the better organized States ere. I have an approximate idea
about this but would like to have it definite and presume that you have
it at your fingers’ end.

I regret that I did not see more of you wails you were in Kentucky,
but I know you were busy, and on the one occasion that I had knowledge
you were in Lexington I happened to be occupied.

With kindest regards,

Sincerely yours,

lawrence Kolb,
Medical Director,
Medical Officer in Charge.