The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-14
city ASKS REPRESENTATION.
WANTS TO NAME PHYSICIANS FOR
HOSPITAL STAFFS.

mfttee Appointed to Confer with
the Hospital Boards Upon the Sub
i,ot-The Point Made That the City
contributes Largely to the Sup
,,ort of the Hospitals and should
nave a Voice in Saying Who Shall
took After Its Patients-It Is De-
sired to Give the Physicians Cen
orally the Benefit of Hospital Prac-
lice.
The City Council has prepared to raise
tbs question with the hospitals of the city
of voice in their control on the ground
that as the city IS the chief contributor
~ the support of these institutions, it
il entitled 10 have something 20 say as to
the manner in which they are conducted
Tie question has been raised several
times before, in the sanitary board and
hy individual members of Council. Mayor
MYERS expressed himself very decidedly
On the subject some months ago, and
even agitated the question of a public
bospital TO be supported by the city and
county and controlled by them in lieu
OF making contributions to the support
OF Institutions under private manage
ment.
Health officer Drummer first raised the
question under the former Myers admins.
traron by claiming the right to vote the
city's appropriation to the Savannah Hos
rltal under the provision of its charter. al
lowing a vote for each $40 subscribed. The
hospital authorities contended, however,
on the ground that the city's appropria-
tion was not subscription, but was given
in payment for services rendered, and the
contention was dropped.
DR.. Graham, who is a member of the
Board of Aldermen and also of the sani-
tary board, has expressed very decided
views on this subject at various times.
and has urged that the city hospitals
should be opened to the physicians OF the
city generally, instead of being limited to
few. It was DR.. Graham who raised
the question at the last meeting of the
Committee of the Whole for the consider
alton of the budget. When the hospital
appropriation was reached DR.. Graham
raised the point that the city, as the chief
contributor to the hospitals, should have
a voice in their affairs, and that i'm con-
sideration of its appropriations, II should
have the right to name physicians who
should serve on the hospital STATS.
Inc matter mad not been discussed in
Council or IN the Committee of the Whole
and DR.. Graham's action was something
OF a surprise At the same time it de-
veoped that the majority of the aldermen
were disposed to agree with him, and the
result was the appointment of a commit
tee for the purpose of consulting with the
boards of managers of the hospitals and
laying this matter before them Mavor
Myers was made chairman, the other
members being Aldermen Graham, Thorn
as and Dixon.
The hospital authorities have been noti-
fed of the action of the city, and re-
quesJed to name time when they can
confer with the committee. 1t is under
stood to be the intention of the committee
to take the matter up with each board
separately. The three hospitals concerned
are the Savannah Hospital, the ST 10
saph's Infrmary and the Georgia Infirm-
airy to each of which the city has been
making annual appropriations of $500 a
month, or a total of $l0,S0O a year to the
three institutions. AS the Telfair Hospital
receives no appropriation from the city it
IS not included in the move.
Mayor Myers was not prepared yester-
day to say that the city would decline to
make any appropriations to the hospitals
should the latter decline TO grant the re-
quest of the city to be allowed voice in
selecting the physicians who serve on the
hospital staffs. This phase of the ques-
ton would not be considered, he said, I'M
I'll the attitude of the hospital boards to
the city's proposition should be ascer-
tanned
There has been complaint among the
physicians of the city, who are not con-
nected with the hospitals, for a long
tine said the Mayor, because they are
deprived of the advantages which accrue
from such practice. The complaint seems
10 me to be well founded. These hospitals
are tn Ill
sutuhons, and are largely supported by
appropriations from the public funds. This
Delng the case, I see no reason why the
reputable physicians of the city generally
should not have access to these hospitals,
not simply when they have pay patients
mere, but 10 the charity wards as we'll
Inc physicians contend that this would be
Of advantage to them in their profession
and can readily see how it would be- The
CITY does not seek to take control of the
hospitals. There are no objections that 1
am aware of to the boards of managers
We simply ask the right to be allowed to
name physicians who shall have the same
| privileges as other physicians now con-
neoted with the hospitals"
As the matter stands at present" said
he Mayor. even the health officer has
not the right to visit these institutions for
Inc purpose of seeing whether the money
appropriated by the city is properly ex-
pended. We have a competent and eff
Gent health officer, and it should be in the
regular line of his duties to visit and in
pect these hospitals. At present the
hospitals ars conducted as private insti-
luuons. By putting into effect the plan
proposed by the city we will not only bene-
~ the members of the medical profession
olt these Institutions viii be brought into
uoser touch with the people generally
when would undoubtedly be of benefit to
Me hospitals themselves. Many physl-
eehs would send pay patients to the hos
a'as Who do not do so now because of
Is attitude Of the hospital authorities and
he institutions would be in more favor
VvLA AT home and abroad"
mayor Myers was asked if the idea of
-"rng the military hospital buildings
tty4'h Of the city for a city and county
"Slltai had been abandoned.
, cannot say that 1t has been" he re-
plsa I believe that the buildings can be
1uled for this purpose, and that the
Il'y IS ready to cooperate with the
NY N such movement The government
G@y11 doubtless be willing to turn the
,a.pinss over to the city for hospital pur-
-. j do not know that the buildings