The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-25


corded to West Side Hospital.
In the appropriations made by the
house of representatives at Harrisburg
Wednesday were included appropria-
tions for the Lackawanna hospital and
the West Side hospital. The amount
asked for the Lackawanna hospital was
$3.50, 200, but the amount given was only
$4,000; for the West Side hospital, $22,-
900 was sought, but only $1,000 was
granted.
To ascertain the use to which it was
proposed to put the $1S0,2OO asked for,
and what will be done with the $30,0OO
obtained ]. George Eisele, a director Of
the Lackawanna hospital, was seen by
a Tribune reporter yesterday.
The bill appropriating $1SO,2OO to the
hospital reads as follows:
The sum of thirty-eight thousand two
hundred dollars 1888, 200, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, for the pur-
pose of maintenance for the two fiscal
years beginning June !, 1897.
The sum of sixty-five thousand dollars
($65, ,00W, or 50 much ther sof as may be
necesS n " for a new wing, fire proof, a
ward lur women.
The sum of ten thousand dollars &10,-
00O), or so much thereof as may be neces-
sary for a chi.dren's ward.
The sum of twelve thousand five hun
dred dollars $500, or so much thereof
as may be necessary, for an isolated ward.
The sum of twenty-five thousand dol
lars ($25, ,O00), or so much thereof as may
be necessary, for an administration build
ing
The sum of seventeen thousand dol
lars $4,000, or so much thereof as may be
necessary, for an operating room, recov-
cry room, etc
The sum of five thousand dollars G5,-
000). or so much thereof as may be neces-
sary, for a barn and morgue.
The sum of seven thousand five hun
dred dollars CE5Oo), or so much thereof
as may be necessary, to be applied to-
ward the purchase of adjoining lot.
THE ITEMS EXPLAINED.
According to statements made by
MIR. Eisele each item in the bill would
be thus explained: The sum of S3S, 200,
mentioned in the first item, represents
the actual running expense for two
fiscal years, beginning June 1. 1897,
and is figured on a basis of a cost of
one dollar per patient per diem. This
cost is based upon the experience of
past years, and allows for any rea-
sonable increase of patients. In the
second item, the sum of $65,000, appears
and, as stated, covers the cost of the
erection and fitting up of a new wing,
being a fire proof ward for women.
The board of directors had agreed upon
a building which would only cost
about $4,000, but were instructed to
have plans drawn up, which would call
tor a fire proof construction and other
additional features.
The instructions came from the ap-
propriations committee, and the addi-
tioral features provided for the care
of women who were about to be con-
fined and had no other place to retire
for proper care than a hospital. Also
for patients who desired special or pri-
vate treatment. Accordingly, plans
were arranged and being submitted
to the state board of charities, they
were approved by that body.
The third item, of $4,000, for a chill
dren's ward, explains itself. The
amount of $12,5OO asked for in the
fourth item was a matter of abso.
lutte necessity. 1t has been proved
again and again that an isolated ward
is required in any large hospital, and
in this respect the Lackawanna hos
pital is severely handicapped. Thus
far, however the space available at
present has not been overtaxed, but
there is no gauging possible as to the
furure.
CAN BE DONE WITHOUT.
The fifth item, of $25,OOO Tor an ad-
ministration building, can be reason
ably done without though. there Is no
telling as to how long the association
will have the use of the old Delaware
and Hudson office building, now being
used by 1t for nurse quarters, etc. Be
side there are numerous details which
a building of that nature might well
cover.
The hospital is at N-esent blessed
with a first-class opera ting room. The
granting, however, of the amount of
$4,000, asked for in the sixth item, for
an operating, recovery room, etc
ould have allowed of the using Of the
present operating for outdoor patients
This part of the institution work is
especially great as the Lackawanna
treats between 800 and 1900 outdoor
patients each year. The seventh item
of $4,000, for a barn and morgue, was
also a desirable addition. At present
the quarters used for the above pur-
poses are not particularly attractive,
and in the instance of the morgue
really is a drawback.
Then last. but not least, the amount
of $500. asked for in the eighth item
Is reasonable request and it's pur-
poses would have been met had the
| other items baen granted The pPOD-
erty owner asked $4,000 for the prop
erty desired, but the additional 81 SOC
needed above the amount asked of the
state would have been met by the di-
rectors themselves.
The amount granted by the state be-
| ing 100000, will be applied upon the
| hrst item, for which 5000 was asked
| The balance of $500 will be met in
| some other manner. The remaining
items, Of a necessity, will have to hold
| over.
PLEASED WITH AMOUNT.
Mr.. Eisele. as a director, is, however
well pleased with the amount granted
as ii is an increase of $4,000 over the
last appropriation, Owing to the de.
pressed times and the apparent re.
luctance Of the legislature to go toe
deep into expenditures with a scant
treasury, half the amount would not
| have surprised the directors.
The following communication, SEN
to Mr.. Eisele from Representative
Hon. Alex T. Connell, may add fur
ther interest:
House of Representatives,
Harrisburg, Pa, June 23, 1897.
| Mr 4