The Fireman, the Broken Leg, and the Brotherhood

The Brotherhood of railroad men held a meeting at the shops Tuesday night and determined to make a change in the management of the R.R. hospital at Spokane Falls. Complaints were made that the treatment of the sick and wounded taken to the hospital has been shamefully neglected and careless. It seems that the recent case of James Bruce, fireman, roused them from mere grumbling to just indignation. Bruce fell from his engine a short time ago and had his leg broken; he was sent to the hospital where he received scarcely any attention or assistance until some of the Brotherhood took hold of the matter. Resolutions were passed asking the authorities to investigate the matter, move the hospital to Sprague, and see that proper care is given patients. It was decided that Sprague is the proper place for the hospital, for here the majority of the men live and have their homes, the lodges of the different brotherhoods are located here, and when one of their number is hurt or sick from any cause, there will be plenty to see that proper care is taken of the patient. Monthly hospital dues are taxed on every man in the company's employ, which not only liquidates any obligation of the men to the physician, but is sufficient means to carry on the hospital properly, and they are determined that it shall be done.

[The Spokane paper's reply:] We have taken the trouble to call upon Mr. Jas. Bruce in person, and while he is not in a situation to be envied, stretched as he is on his back with a broken limb, yet he tells us that he is receiving every attention that could be desired, and is perfectly satisfied with the treatment. The facts in the case are these: Mr. Bruce was injured one morning and did not reach the hospital until late that night. When he arrived here he was suffering great agony, and was naturally very weak. He wanted rest and needed some such natural restorative before the fracture could be reduced. Dr. Whitehouse therefore ministered unto the patient and postponed treating the injury until morning. When the freight train came in early the bone had not been set, and Bruce was lying upon plain mattresses preparatory to the operation. Perhaps this may have been the foundation for the report that the patient had been neglected. Dr. Whitehouse, who is a humane gentleman as well as a skilled practitioner, has always done all in his power for the comfort of the unfortunates brought here for treatment.