Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-11-05
Needed For the
Hospital at Once.
Rev. L. A. Lindemuth
Is Outspoken
In Presenting lnstitu-
tons Claims.

To the Editor of the Democrat:
Permit me through your columns to
make a few observations on the Hospi-
tai reports which have recently ap-
peared in your paper. Even the super
fetal reader will see that for future
efficiency this Institution demands I'M
mediate financial relief. but there are
interesting facts underlying these re-
ports which need little explanation.
AS secretary of the institution and
chairman of the Citizens Debt Fund
Committee, l desire to state that the
years work has convinced me OF two
facts; first, that the management OF
our hospital has reached the high
water mark of excellence, and l chal-
lenge any honest individual mind to
show me an institution of similar
equipment that surpasses it. And sec
ond the conscience of the city OF Ak
ron, like some Rip Van Wrinkle, is ly-
ing in 20 years slumber, Ignorant
of, and Indifferent to the welfare Of
this institution and needs to be
aroused as with bomb and dynamite.
The noble appeal of Mr.. Barber's,
in Saturdays issue. and his generous
offer of 100000, together with the
proposed erection of new building
by his two friends rs soon as the pub
lie show disposition to support this
institution should meet with response
in the heart and pOcketbook of every
citizen in Akron.
Every workingman ought to send
In his mite because he is the direct
recipient of the benevolent work Of
the Hospital.
Every manufacturer ought to give
large support, because this institution
stands ready at all times to care for
men injured in factories, and cares
| for such at an annual figure which
does not cover the actual expense.
Bankers and merchants should sus-
tain this institution, because wealth
owes debt to poverty, and 1t Is but
manly to aid an institution that cares
for their patrons.
| HNeIyDOOy SuOuitt pVNouSS ~
is a glorious privilege to have such an
institution which benefits all alike.
See the benevolent work this hospl'
tai has done during ten short years,
1t has spent In round numbers $780,
900, for equipment and expense. The
large gifts alone coming from our
weather citizens amount to $SS,OOC
plus. interest on endowment funds
and lesser gifts, together with the in
come on pay patients, (Which Is prac
tically at cost and the small aid from
the city make up the rest. Last veal
alone our expenses amounted to Sill,
1856. .63, and that with such economical
management that the cost of n patien
per day was reduced from $1,SS tt
!, STA without any sacrifice In the carr
rendered. BY careful estimate of fre,
} service rendered to the public, SO In
. as figures can give it, the hospital ha
given away in 10 years the magniticen
sum of S31 1893 IA, for which the cit.
paid $9,450, leaving a net total of fire.
service of $22,443.14. Let the criti
, look at these figures before he find
fault. Somehow or other, men VIII
don't want to give money satisfy thei
consciences by finding fault. Wonder
full Even contemptible!
A year ago | sounded an elarm be
fore the City Council, showing tina
at the rate of Increase In hospital SCI
vice we would not be able to meet tn
demands of the public unless the pull
lie comes to our financial rescue
; The facts now verify my prophcc!
Instead of S6,S00 which l asked c
our city for free service for 1901, W
have spent $7,7336s. Our charity Sc
vice has increased II per cent; war
service SO per cent; free. dressing
wounds, ii per cent, and we have pc
formed go rree operations which at
minimum are worth $50 apiece.
You have noticed a deficit OF Va ,Oo8't
for the year 1901, also interest PAID G
debts of $943,l7. At this rate, one
1 two things will be the result. Eith'
4 our endowment fund will be used u
which the bequests Will not permit al
which the trustees cannot allow, or
must curtail our charity service
keep within our income which meai
that we must crowd the Institute
= with pay patients and crowd out mar
! charity eases and let them go to u
: Infirmary. This would be mortifyil
d to the management of the Hospit
{ and an eternal disgrace to the peop
!. OF Akron.
{ What shall be done? is there n
\ enough public spirit In Akron to sa'
8 It's good name? $4,000 must be rails
y within n month in addition TO VIII
& has been subscribed to the debt fur
G and hereby ask the subscribers
the debt fund to send In their su
scrlptions that we may have the u
=: of the money at once.
- And publicly appeal to the citize
d of Akron to come to the rescue OF o
e. City Hospital,
s Very truly,