The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-05-21

than approximately. They believe, how
ever, that the amount will reach some
where into four figures. DR.. Clark's sys-
TEN of keeping his accounts is a very
crude one, they allege, and they doubt
if the actual amount will ever be known.
In 1899 there was received from pay
patients at the city hospital according
to the tsatement included in City Physi-
clan Byrnes' annual report, $982.48. There
was nothing on this score in the report
beyond the bare announcement of the
amount, whereas In previous years, under
DR.. Weston's regime, the report went into
the last detail Of funds received on this
account. Last years report, recently
issued from the press, contained no state
ment at all Of any money received from
this source. Naturally this caused COM
ment at the city hospital, and generally
among physicians, who were cognizant of
the facts of past years in this respect,
and was an important factor in starting
the investigation.
What the Books Show.
An examination of the books of the
secretary of the board of corrections and
charities shows that $750.5O was credited
to this account last year. Secretary
Pratt explains in this connection that it
was an oversight that no mention was
report. In the absence of any details,
however 1t is impossible to know where
the money actually came from except by
an examination of the hospital books.
The statement for last year, as on the
books of the board, makes an interesting
study, and it is easy to see why 1t
should provoke unfavorable comment and
arouse suspecions, The items making up
the $75O.50 are as follows: Feb. 13,
s16S.5O; April 2, $500; May 20, $50; July %,
$32. On April 9of this year there is
credited to this fund 1925.
1t will thus be seen that during the
twelve months from April of last year
to April of this year, there was received
from this source but $114.25. In view Of
the fact that the contagious ard ofw the
hospital as crowded to the limit all last
fall during the dipthria epidemic, and, it
is claimed, vacant beds during all the
months since, DR.. Clark's critics insist
insist that these are but Insignificant re-
turns.
Many Pay Patients.
The city hospital is the only hospital
in Minneapolis having contagious ward,
and therefore has many pay patients. It
is regulation Of the hospital that all
patients having more than IS on entrance
shall pay for their care and treatment at
lu0 rate OIL S1 per Qay u0Lll LQ6y nave
but S. left, and $15 yer week is required
of patients who desire private rooms and
extra services.
The hospital books, 1t is said, have
shown almost daily admissions of private
and pay patients. Under Dr. Weston's
regime. money received from this source
was turned over to the board almost as
often as once month. From the state
ment above, it Will be seen that no de-
posits were made between July 25 of last
year and April 9 of this year, a period
of more than eight months, during which
time the contagious ward was crowded
with cases, and then, on April of this
year, there was beggarly deposit of
$32.25.
DIR. Clark Is Silent.
DR.. Clark will say but little in his own
behalf at this time. He refers inQuirers
70 DR.. Byrnes who, he says, is the re-
sponsible person at the city hospital. He
insists that whatever moneys he received
were regularly turned over. He explains,
however, that the amount received from
this source last year must necessarily be
considerably less than the previous year,
owing TO the greater liberality with which
the hospital rule was enforced.