Morning journal and courier., 1880-04-06
The Hospital Society.


 An Appeal for Funds to Pay Running
 Expenses.
 The following appeal has been issued by William Gale, s. H. Bronson, W. Fl. CArmaIt, prudential committee, and William Franklin, H. Bunnell, Wallace B. Fenn, finance com- mittee of the General Hospital Society: To the Citizens of New Haven:
 The undersigned members of the pruden- tial and finance committees of the General Hospital Society of Connecticut appeal to the public for funds to place the hospital in . con- dition where it will not be constantly embar- rassed to meet its running expenses. It Is the history of all hospitals-not Iiberally en- dowed-that the expenses always exceed the income. The hospital is not a State Institution, but the State has for some years made it an appropri- ation, varying in amount. At present the ap- propriation is $5, 1000, which is applied to ald patients unable to pay the regular charge of $6 per week.
 The hospitals only stated income (aside from patients) is $29, 100 invested funds. The number of 'frse beds' is but four Cat $5, 900 each), three of which are used and are almost constantly occupied, which practically abSorbs any income from that source. The average current expenses arc about $25, 900 per an mum. Last year the number of patients per day was seventy, costing the hospital over $26, 900. With larger number of patients
 
 In estimating the amount needed to be col Iected last Hospital Sunday" sufficient allow ance was not made for the extra expenses oc- casioned by the fire in October last. ''Hospi- tai Sunday" yielded $3, 474; ST. ,00O of this amount was given by one lady. We believe not hereafter exceed $2, 900. To provide for this we are anxious to inaugurate Guaran- tors Fund to meet this yearly deficit. The Rhode Island hospital has had such Q plan in successful operation for several years. The fund was placed at 0,000, in shares of $100 each subscriber being assessed pro rata to meetth deficiency in current expenses. Other ways of aiding the hospital are, by donation of $5, GOO, entitlipg the donor, his heirs and assigns, to nominate patients to free bed In perpetuity. A donation of $2, 800 entities the donor to nominate patients to a ''free bed" for six months in each year, during the life of the donor. donation of $1, 900 entities the donor to nominate patients to free bed for any three months in the year during his life. A donation of $500 constitutes the donor life director; $500 secures ''free bed" for one year $50 makes one 8 life member, and 1885 member for ten years. Many hospi- taIs have over forty free beds en- dowed by railway corporations, manu- featuring establishments, and others (none, we believe, have so few as our own) also liberal donations are constant ly made to them. In pecuniary sense aid ing the hospital is gain there the depend ent sick can be better and more cheaply cared for than at their homes, enabling them the sooner to resume their avocAtions and become seIf-supporting. It is clear that we have not comprehended the magnitude of this charita- ble work, and have not made adequate pro- vision for it. We trust cur citizens and resi- dents of the towns represented in the hospital (ffty-six towns were represented last year) will realize this fact, that the hospital is dependent on theiY bounty to carry on it's beneicent work. In consequence of the lack of adequate support, the hospital is only able now and then to take charity patient, but is obliged almost daily to refuse cases of sickness and need. ''Tbe manifold claims of the hospital upon all classes cannot, how ever, be put upon paper. In order to know and feel them, and thus be prepared to ac- knowledge them practically, its work should be personally inspected and to do this all are not only invited but urged. " To place the matter in practical shape the finance committee enclose two blank forms to be filled out and signed by those desiring to aid this noble home charity. The ''donation fund.- is intended for sub scriptions to ''free beds," or general dona- tions; the 'tguarantors' fund" for subscrip- tions of from twenty-five to one hundred dol lars. Subscriptions or donations may be sent to either member of the finance committee. It will greatly facilitate their work if the returns are made within two weeks. If no response Is made, the committee will take it for granted that you wish to confer with one of their num- Der and call will be made.