The evening times., 1899-12-21
SJSR SJJSR HOSPITAL REFORMS
Superintendent Of Chars:ss Ic..is
Planning Them.
He Opposes the Making of Indis-
crimiante Appropriations to Hos
Dixtrict-To Ask Congress to Eff
feet the Much-Necded Changes.


Herbert z. Lewis, Superintendent Of
Charities, is receiving the unanimous sup
port of the various hospitals and pubic
charitable Institutions in his effort TO ef-
feet change in the manner in which the
appropriations from Congress are appor-
toned to the various institutions. Fer
several years the manner in which the
money was paid has caused great confu-
sion. and the District officials have not
been able to determine whether they wee
receiving adequate return for the funds
that were paid out.
1t has been the custom for the Commis-
sioners to ask for certain appropiiat
for the benefit OF the INDECENT sick OF the
District which were used for what was
called maintenance. That is, all patients
that might be sent to the pace by me
District officials would be maintained IL a
certain sum OF money was turned over 10
the hospital every year. This sum varied
with the nature and scope Of the insiitu-
ton In some instances the app oPF1ation
was very large, and was virtually the only
support the hospital received. while on the
other hand some of the institutions were
without support from the Government. ana
the charity patients were real charities
1t is the intention OF Superintendent
Lewis to abolish this system, and pay the
hospitals only for the work they do. The
appropriations will be apportioned. as far
possible on contract system, and the
hospital authorities will be expected TO
render to the Commissioners a correct
account of the cost of maintaining pa
tient, and will be paid accordingly. In
some instances the proposition has met
with great opposition. This came pr.ncl-
paily from the institutions included with
those that are supported by the Govern
meut. II is not believed by the District
authorities that this is just. and remedy
is what is wanted, and is what the authori-
ties think they have found.
An Antiqunted Instftation.
In order to test the opinion of the hes
pital officials on this question ii was sub
mitted TO them by Superintendent Lewis,
and they were asked to consider it at their
various board meetings.
The result of this action was that yes
terday Mr.. Lewis received a letter from
the secretary of the Children's Hospital.
enclosing set OF resolutions adopted At the
last meeting of the board OF trustees OF
that institution. heartily endorsing his plan
and promising their support when the mat
ter is brought to the attention of Congress.
At a meeting OF 2 citizens association re-
Gently the question of the inequality OF the
appropriations furnished the hospitals was
discussed along with the old question as to
the taxing of church property except that
which was actually occupied by the house
of worship. In this meeting it was devel
oped that three hospitals in the city are
controlled by church and no taxes are
paid or he property. These three hospitals
~ Earz zraI
Government and citizens are taxed to pay
the bill In addition TO this attention was
called 10 the condition of the Washington
yIum Hospital. the only institution of
this character which belongs to the Gov
ernment and which is operated in Connec-
tion with the aims and work houses. 1t is
said that the institution is scarcely fiji for
the accommodation OF a well person,
much less those suffering from disease.
This phrase was used by District Commis-
sioner Wight in describing the institution
and probably fits it as well as anything
else.
The Washington Asylum Hospital is an
antiquatsd institution and the Government
authorities do not seem TO care whether or
not decent accommodations are provided
for the persons who may be taken there
suffering from disease. II is the only in
stitution OF the kind which belongs TO the
District and is operated by District officers,
The Commissioners are all hearty in their
endorsement of the present management of
the place and 1t is said that they have done
more with the poor material that has been
furnished them than any other officers that
have been placed over the institution.
Remedies for the Evils.
In addition to this. it was brought out
that the situation of the buildings in the
make it a very unpopular place for the
sick. as they do not like the stigma of hav-
ing been sent to the poorhouse when they
cannot work. Many Of the persons cared
for by the District in this manner are
hardworking people whose home life and
surroundings are not adapted to the treat
ment Of whatever disease they may con-
tract and who must, perforce, go TO some
charitable institution.
All these statements were made at the
meeting referred to above and at the same
time table was given to show that in the
estimates of the Commissioners for the
year ending June 30. 1901 they had in
cuded items ranging from 5000 to Sl9.999
as the amount OF money to be apportioned to
institutions situated on property on which
no tax is paid and where high prices are
charged for boarding patients other than
those sent by the District. 1t was also
brought out that two OF the hospitals men
toned in the appropriation bill belong to
educational institutions which cwn and
receive rents for a large amount of bust
ness property in the District on which they
pay no tax.
These facts have been in the possession
of the Superintendent of Charities for
long time and ne has been watching for
an opportunity to remedy the evil which
was thus being accomplished. The new
plan will admit giving to the hospitals only
the pay for the keep and attendance on a
patient sent there by the District officials
and will not pay fer anything else. Mr..
Lewis hopes to get the necessary measures
through Congress this session.
Republicans Nominate Candidates.
DAVIS. W. Va, Dec. 21.-The Republi- /
cans of this town have nominated the fol- |
lowing ticket to be voted for On January !
4: Mayor. C. Gilpin Lashley: recorder, s. |
l. Gayley: councilmen. Albert Wilt. ]. E. |
Houston, Emory X. Hovermale, S. o. Bull |
livant, and Harry Best; treasurer. C. E |
Smith; assessor, H. NJ. Worden chief of |
police. Sanford Wentz; street commits |
sioner NJ. NJ. Phelps. Mr.. Lashley re-
ceived 103 votes for the mayoralty nomina-
tion to eight for W. L. Messmer