New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-02
DEFICIT S45O,OOO Il YEAR.
Frank Tucker Suggests a Large
Endorsement Fund.

Twenty hospitals in the city Of New-York have
an annual deficit OF nearly $4,000. What is the
remedy" This statement and this query were the
theme Of a recent article by Frank Tucker. entitled
THE Financial Problem of NETWORKS Hospitals"
In his discussion he declares that conditions are
rapidly becoming worse. and that present sources
of totally inadequate to meet tho de-
hciency. He proposes as a solution to create a
large endowment fund, raised and controlled for
income purposes only, by independent body Of
and women He continues;
The end OF the nineteenth century saw several
huge funds raised for various educational and re-
Iigious activities. Why not let the beginning OF
100000 Laised fer the great hospitals of New
It would take the income Of 100000 to provide
for the present annual deficit. With that taken
Ces carefV gare9 for b 9r U by cb
hospital would undoubtedly for natural in
In his introduction Mr.. Tucker points to the
great growth IN the number and equipment Of the
ctys hospitals and the consequent increase In cost
OF maintenance. The demand for hospital service
he declares. has grown even more rapidly The
poor longer afford to pay for improved
modern treatment N their homes, and the rich
resorting more and more TO the conveniences
OF tho hospital
But the income is not keeping pace with this
increase in demand for funds. He adds:
For months It has been known by those inter
ested in the various hospitals Of the city that
largest and best hospitals In discussing the stua-
ton recently. said: We are pretty the
those who have been carrying the load will have
to step from under
Referring to tho deficit he says:
The question naturally arises at once. How is
this enormous deficit met? All hospital reports
not equally clear in their statements on thus
point but 1t is undoubtedly true that in the ma
accumulated endowment funds such portions as
were not restricted by the donors and which here
tofore have been kept for income producing pur-
poses only. II the annual receipts from Iegacies
were reasonably fixed sum there might not be
FOR alarm over the existing situation but il
ing and uncertain in amount The question Of
the use OF Iegac!es for current expenses is much
debated one. but when It is decided that they
should be- used the only conservative course is
cies received during q period Of. say. ten years
and assume that such average may De safely used
y true that the endowment funds OF some OF the
hospitals in the above list have been heavily de-
pleted In meeting deficits in current expenses for
some years back and 1t IS this condition that the
that tho breaking point was close at hand.
Sir. Tucker states that great increase can be
expected from the rich. and that the income from
endowments Is steadily decreasing. lie also shows
that the Hospital Saturday and sunday ssocia ton
able distribute from gifts in 1902 only one
sixth of the deficit ~ the twenty hospitals He
holds out no hope Of increased aid from the city
lie shows that the greatly increased outlay for
In the numerous comments made this article
there ara few dissenting opinions Notable
says that Mr.. Tucker has placed too much stress
on hospital treatment opposed that in the
toward the growth Of institutionalism. The iJ1g a
} 0Iy OF 5IleiIs mad 9y hospital manasers
the financial condition clearly. and for proposing a
practical remedy. Frederick Sturges. president and
Crippled. and vicc-president Of the Presbyterfan
hgher apPrecaton of h value Of ag 10
Among others who agree with Mr.. Tucker are DR.
John W. Brannan, Mrs; Russell Sage. Robert W.
De Forest ana Homer Folks.