The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-04-14
HOSPITAL FOR BARRE.
P. F. Mccarthy Writes About the City's
Need.

NeEQ.
Editor Times; have read with
much interest the article of Mayor Bar
clay relative To the Emergency hospital
OF orr city and also the reply of Mr..
Mutch. / heartily endorse what the
mayor had to say in regard to the
present management Of the hospital and
the manner in which they are conduct
ing il. I would have had something to
say upon this important matter before,
had not my time been fully occupied
With other affairs.
| have ayailed myself Of the general
invitation extended to the public 70
visit the hospital, and in order to con-
vince myself of the merits Of the insti-
tuition have visited it at various times
and investigated the manner in which
it is conducted. / am pleased to say
that the institution is conducted ON a
basis that has greatly exceeded my ex-
pectations, as the patients receive far
better treatment than is accorded 70 pa
TENTS in similar institutions that / have
visited i'll different parts OF the United
States. / believe, too, with the mayor
that these young men are ambitious to
-
for the city and the surrounding coun-
try. fully appreciate as well as any
one that the City of Barre needs a hos
pital, and the idea of the city having
an institution Of this kind is not out
Of place.
This, however, means the expenditure
OF many thousands Of dollars that the
city cannot well afford to cxpend AT the
present time. as we are confronted with
the building Of a city library, its equip
ment, maintenance, ETC. 1t will cost
the city thousands OF dollars 10 erect
. suitable hospital building and after
its erection TO furnish ii with suitable
appliances, besides the expense OF main
tanning it, to say nothing Of the many
lives that may be lost during the time
Of its construction, having no place to
20 to in order to receive the necessary
medical attendance. Right here, let me
say, that | believe Mr.. Mntch is in
error, when lie states that the cost of
maintenance would not be large, "a most
patients would be able to pay for their
treatment" believe that Mr.. Mulch
or any other citizen will have hard
time in finding hospital from The Mas
sachusetts General hi Boston TO the Bel
legue Of New York city, whose income
from patients comes anywhere near pay
ing for its expenses, unless il is pri-
vate institution catering only to the
wealthy classes. From the reports of
all municipal hospitals and semi-public
institutions OF this kind VIC arc fully
convinced that the amount Of money re-
csiycd from the patients treated IA not
sufficient to covcT the cost Of MAIN
tenance.
When the people If Barre erect n
hospital, we want one that Is second
to none in the state. Until such time
comes when we are prepared TO do SO,
what is gsing TO become OF those
amongst US who are in need OF the
services Of first class institution Let
ms take into consideration that we have
such place right here in our midst,
and one that has done remarkable work
during the short period of its existence.
|, for one, cannot see why we should
not support the Emergency hospital,
even though 1t is not as much OF a
public institution as the Massachusetts,
General OF Boston. thoroughly believe
in the honesty and integrity OF the pro-
prietors of the Emergency. applaud their
grit in their cndeavor to conduct an
institution OF its kind. and firmly believe
that any sum OF money entrusted TO
their care would be used for the benefit
OF the public good. As to the appoint.
ment Of committee to handle these
funds as suggested by Air. Mulch, /
am sure that Drs. Miller and Clemans
would possibly have no objection. but
personally | believe that ii would ham
dicap them in their work. | understand
that any physician is at liberty to
take his patients to the Emergency hos
pita and operate and treat them az
he sees fit, which Is more than can be
said of hospitals not a hundred miles
from here. Now, does 1t not give us
all Che benefits that public hospital
would This is matter that is of
vital Importance TO the workingmen and
women OF our city. and If We viii take
hold of this matter as the mayor sug-
acsts, there will be no need Of any Of
our people going 10 Montreal, Boston,
New York on Montpelier for treatment.
We can deliver the goods here at home
where the patients need not suffer from
homesickness IN connection with their
other afIiictions II We win take hold
Of this matter as suggested. ] believe
that tho uuionists OF Barre can carry
On .. slleeessfcl strike against sTold Com
Ii there are any who are willing and
care, and trust that there are many,
to donate funds for The purchase and
equipment brother purposes and hesitate
to 90 50, because il il not private in.
stitution. ! would suggest that these
gifts be given with provision that they
be used by the Emergency hospital as
long as il continues TO exist and then
to be turned over TO our city. also
think that the suggestions Of our mayor
that the Ladies' Aid society be organized
and that the churches and fraternal so.
cicties and also tho bulwarls Of our
prosperity, the labor unions, should I've
commended. Trusting % create little
interest in q matter OF such vital inn
portance TO the man who earns his daily
bread by the Sweat OF his brow and
hoping the public win take hold of this
matter and safeguard the health Of our