The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-24

constantly on duty. They have to so
at any hour OF the day or night, and in
all kinds OF weather When the Sep
tcmbcr cyclone occurred DR. Lyme went
out on the ambulance when the wind
was at It's highest. thus taking his life
In his own hands.
The calls during the past year have
exceeded by nearly three hundred the
number In any previous year. having aver
aged about three day.
MIR. MILLER'S LETTER.
Mr.. Albert Miller. member Of the
Committee on Relief or The Poor makes
the following defence OF his committee:
10 the Public. ! desire 10 correct some
statements made at meeting OF the
Democratic League whereby reflection
was cast on the Superintendent OF the
Almshouse and the Committee on Relief
for the Poor In the first place. | am
prepared TO prove That never in the his
tory OF the institution has its affairs been
conducted more economically or more
satisfaction given TO its inmates. In proof
whereof / submit the following state
monf. Tho appropriation FOR 1896 was
$1,000. which is $500 less than for 1893.
and $1,000 less than FOR 1894. On July lst
the time the present committee took
charge of its affairs we found considerably
more Than one-half Of the appropriation
for this department expended. and yet
the committee by careful management.
closed the year with a small amount
to their credit In Justice TO the Superin-
tondent. j will say we have had his
hearty cooperation. and our united ol-
forts have accomplished the above re-
suits. In regard to the ambulance sur
geons. 1 VIII state that they receive no
pay-that is. they receive $50 per month
TO pay their bOard-and during our adj
ministraton We have always found them
prompt in the discharge OF their various
duties faithful and ever ready and will
ing TO res pond 70 any and all calls made
at any hour Of the day or night and in
all kinds Of weather In 1896 they re-
spondod 10 g27 ambulance calls, which was
~ in excess Of any previous year In
Wow Of the fact that they received 40
compensation for their labors. and as
token Of recognition and appreciation
OF their faithful services. IT has been
precedent established by former commit
tees TO present 10 them with some token.
such as ovcrcOats or something 20 the
value Of So each at the close Of their
term OF Office. Our present committee
thought we had no right 70 appropriate
money as present. but did think We had
"a right. and. further than that II was
our duty 10 furnish them with what We
call am ambulance outfit. consisting Of
storm ovcrcoats. Boots. and such articles
of clothing that would be suitable for
excessive bad weathor-somethin that
they were obliged 10 have. and instructed
the Superintendent 10 purchase an ambu-
lance outfit. such as would meet the
wishes Of the physicians. This outfit. Il
seems. the physicians had already pur-
chased. and the Superintendent partially
reimbursed them by paying them so each.
and his actions were endorsed by a roeo-
luton passed at our last meeting. with
only one dissenting vote. The subject Of
ambulance driver was never mentioned
before this committee at the time this
appropriation was made I'm December
The ambulance driver gets q salary Of
SO month and his board and lodging
ana the physicians get nothing. I wish
10 deny that the funds were mlsappro-
prlated. and. moreover. solicit the most
scrutinous Investigation. firmly believing
our actions in THIS matter will be com
mended when the facts are made known.
/ regret that such a report calculated
10 bring discredlt on our department.
should have been circulated. but trust
our actions in the past. as well as I'm
the future Will meet the approval Of a
iar-minded public. Hoping and trusting
the above facts are made clear. and meet
the approval of all interested in this in
stitution Of charity and the city's well
rare, / am, Yours truly.
ALBERT MILLER.