New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-16
A STORY ABOUT MR.. Vanderbilt DENIED
NEVER SOLICITED TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE s. r..
SMITH INFIRMARY-MR. wIMAN's VIEWS.

NEVER SOLICITED TO SUBSCklBE III The S *.
SMITH INFIRMARY-MR wIMANs VIEWS.
1t was reported yesterday that William H.
Vanderbilt had retraoted his promise TO give $3.50 900
or the necessary amount for the erection Of build
ing for the r. Smith Iunrmary at stapleon s. L. the
retracton being made finding out that Erastus WI
man was the chairman OF the committee which has had
charge for some time OF the work Of erecting q
building for the nflrmary The report caused good
deal OF talk Staten Island where the greatest interest
is taken In the institution by the prominent residents OF
the place. II was thought strange thug for Mr. Van
dcrblt to do inasmuch his uncle Captain Jacob H.
Vanderbilt is one OF the supporters of the
institution and W. H. Vanderbilt has also interested him.
self in II as we'll other CHARITIES Staten Island.
II was not thought that Mr. Vanderbilt would withdraw
his charity the poor people OF Staten Island simply
because Mr. wman. to further his rapdtransit plans.
had obtained control Of the ferries aud railroad which
had been managed by the vanderbilGs since Com
modore Vanderbilt ran his soop ferry.
Inquiries made by TRIBUNE reporter yesterday dis.
covered the report that the committee had solicited
gift from Mr.. Vanderbilt and that he had refused 1t.
was entirely false. The inhrmary is pon-sectarian In
stituton for furnishing care ana medical attendance to
physcians Gifts sent In to II 6y Its many friends,
and no salaries paid except 20 the maron and nurses
There has lack OF room tor patients, and about
year ago committee appointed TO secure funds.
Soon afterward It was learned that W. IL. Vanderbilt
bad In talking with friend at Saratoga. spoken OF pro-
vdiug handsome building for the lnhrmary as monu-
nent Of the Vanderbilt family staten Island. For
ths reason committee did not solicit subscriptions
I was supposed hat the building would accommodate
also the Diet Kitchen and Eye and Earl Ear Inirmary a
ton owned by Mr.. Vanderbilt, bad been mentioned.
The gilt Is still expected by the commttee
Mr. wnan said yesterday that he would be greatly sur.
prlscd II Mr. William ii. Vanderbilt was In the slightest
degree Influenced IN his benefactons by anything he
had said or done Mr. Vanderbilt was too much man
Of the world to be annoyed by adverse criticism in
lttle country newspaper, while cartoons and rdicule
were daily event in his life. There had been some
feeling on Staten Island because change had occurred
In the control OF the Staten Islaud Railway aud Ferry
Company aud Captain j. H. Vanderbilt longer
its president but that rifng would deter
Mr. Vanderbilt from contemplated GIFT 70 the Smith ln-
frmary was not 10 be imagined Dr. g. X smith, after
whom the infirmary named. was formerly the phyr
sican Of Vanderbilt family, and was moreover noted
for mis- benevolent work among tue poor. The memory
OF bis good work and the intimate friendship
between them supposed 70 be the motive which
inspired Mr. Vanderbilt TO make the contemplated gift
Mr. wiman said that he had been the chairman OF the
committee on the Building Fund OF the new infrmary,
but mad resigned because OF Numerous duties which
were pressing upon him. Captain Vanderbilt had been
previously the chairman and had resigned from similar