The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-01-12
Supervisors BACKWARD
ABOUT HEALTH EXPENSES

do IL the hospitals are closed2 asked
Supervisor Lucas. "The Territory ought
TO care for them"
s1But the Territory has no money
said Andrews.
1T seems as If this is economy for the
Territory, but expense for the county
remarked Supervisor Harvey.
I'VE are not trying to force this on
the county" said Mr.. Andrews ''it Is
simply question of being compelled to
cut out the appropriations for lack or
money. We haven't got the money, so
we can't do anything. 1t Will cause
great suffering among the poor people
If the hospitals must close and the gov
ernment physicians are cut off"
What II the county says 1t Will cut
them out?" asked Mr.. Lucas.
We'll, they will simply have to go by
the board. If the board doesn't want
to take over all the hospital subsidies
let then take over two or three. That
Is better than to have all the places
shut down."
II believe the Territory might strain
a little and take care of the incurables,
suggested Chairman Hooking.
Let the Oahu board assess for the
Hospital for Incurables here. We IN
tend to ask the other counties 10 help
too" said Andrews.
You have the appropriations to car
ry on the hospitals" said Gilman.
Hang 1t all, we have got all the ap-
propriations we want, but no money
replied Andrews.
Superyisor Gilman suggested that the
county appoint health officer for each
trin nd
what people are entitled to free hospital
treatment. They could make arrange"
ments then where the county should
send its sick.
County Attorney Rawlins wanted to
know why the Territory taxed the Hos
pital for Incurables. Andrews replied
that there should be no tax, and Raw
Inns insinuated that the Territory pouid
get the tax which the county paid as n
subsidy to the hospital.
Supervisor Lucas didn't believe there
was much chance for economy in the
board taking over this expense, and Su-
pervisor Gilman said that the Territory
was getting taxes from the other coun-
ties as we'll as Oahu to pay its ex-
penses.
Even under our reduced cost of run
ming the Territory now,' said Mr.. An
drews. "the government is running be-
hind $4,000 per month. The Auditor
has figured out that we will be short
more than 100000 at the end of the
year"
where will the county be If the act
is declared invalid?" asked Mr.. Lucas.
THE Territory will be in better sit
uation, we will then get the water rates
and the license fees and Will nave
enough to keep the hospitals and gov
ernment physicians" replied Andrews.
"The Territory gets half the taxes,
said Chairman Hooking.
THE Territory only gets half of the
property and personal taxes" replied
Andrews, the water and license fees
amount to couple of hundred thou
sand dollars"
1--WE are willing to take over this eX-
pense If we get our $520,OOO," jokingly
remarked the chairman.
Mr.. Gilman suggested that If the hos
pitfalls weren't known as free institu-
tions there would not be such de-
mand for service there. He thought
only those should be allowed free treat
ment where it was absolutely neces-
sary.
Mr.. Andrews suggested in conclu-
sion that the county should at least
keep the dispensary open.
Upon motion Of Supervisor Harvey
the whole matter was referred to
committee composed of Harvey, Gill
man and Lucas.
A conference will be held Sunday
afternoon at three o'clock.
Just as the members of the Board of
Health were about to leave, Supervisor
Mahoe asked permission to question
them. He wanted to know why 1t
was that the government physicians
charged poor people for medicine and
medical attendance. DR.. Cooper re-
piled that the physicians We're not sup
posed to treat everyone free of charge.
Supervisor Gilman stated also that IL
a charge had been made, and the pa
t,N,t., o \