The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-09
Hebrew Hospital Head
Thinks Women and
Doctors Interfere.
RESIGNATION ACCEPTED
But by Directors and Not by
Members Of Hospital Associa-
ton, to When, Nh. Okin
Says, He Addressed His
Letter Yesterday.

directors of Beth Israel Hospital of the
resignation of Joseph Okin, the presi-
den of the board. 1t was acted on
last night by the directors, but Mr.
Okin says it was not rendered to them,
but to the members of the Newark
Beth Israel Hospital Association. The
meeting of the directors, which was
a warm one, was held in Gross's Hall,
Springfield avenue. Mr.. okin was not
present.
Before the resignation was taken UP
several of the directors declared that
Mr.. Okin made a mistake in %announc-
ing that he would resign to the public.
Others sneered at the officials action,
and when the resignation was taken
up it was accepted. Among those who
criticised Mr.. okin was the Rev.
Hyman Brodsky, rabbi of the Congre-
cation Anche Russia. A meeting of
people interested in the association will
probably be called soon.
There was no election of Mr.. Okln's
successor last night, for, according %
the constitution, it is necessary to call
a general meeting of he association.
The board of directors now consists
of sixty members, but according to a
new constitution this number will be
reduced TO thirty-six after February l
next.
In the meantime the feelings of the
Hebrews on the Hill section, where the
hospital is located, appear to be divid-
ed. and many are taking sides with
tl~a ~n+;r;po DroSidanf i'm demanding a
reorganization and the eliminating of
all physicians, their wives n relations
as directors.
1t is not denied that there has existed
considerable friction between Mr.. Okin
and several of the physicians and their
wives during the past year, and 1t APP
pcared to increase from time to time.
This alone, it is claimed, led MIR. Okin
to decide to step aside.
He claims thai no successful hospital
has physicians on its directorate.
Mr.. Okin's letter of resignation was
as follows:
October s, 1907.
To the members Of the Newark Beth
Israel Hospital, city:
Ladies and Gentlemen-I beg to tender
you herewith, to take effect at once, my
RESIGNATION as president of the Newark
Een 1E1dbl I1pSDlldl <ACSONAhtiVhs 0A1 ~
chairman of its board of directors
I'm severing my relationship with the
hospital and those concerned in its affairs,
/ deem myself called upon to say that the
proper exercise Of the duties of an execu-
tive Office call for the most sincere conf
dence in the executive upon the part of
those with whom he comes In official con-
tact.
In direct contrast to this needed rela-
tionship between a directorate and its
head, [ have found in the past two years
that my motives have been constantly and
publicly construed to give birth to the
view that they were moved by sinister,
selfish or other improper reasons; that my
official statements have been garbled and
that every obstacle has been cast into the
pathway of a successful administration of
my office, especially by the members Of
the board who are physicians or the wives
of physicians.
This city abounds with hospitals which
have enjoyed since their erection a career
marked with success and unanimity, and
in these institutions it is a well settled
practise TO exclude from the directorate
any person on the medical staff, or other
wise a servant of the hospital, or members
of their family.
1.-The wisdom Of this practise is obvious
to any right-thinking person when 1t is
remembered that the presence of the phy-
sicians or their wives in the directorate
is generally for the purpose 0f turtherlhg
their nrivate interests, to the detriment of
those for whom a hospital is so sadly
needed, and this has probably been the re-
suit in the Newark Beth Israel Hospital,
and. therefore, 1t being my irrevocable
conviction that SO long as the physicians
and their wives are members of the board
the progress of the hospitals affairs VIII
be arrested and its true growth Stunted'
have come to the conclusion that 1t is
unwise for any spirited person to be
identified with the institution,
you all know that in the past two
wears. during which time l have been
president of this Institution, it has made
such wonderful progress that at the pres
ent time the new hospital building Is COM
n,eted and ready to be dedicated. ! am
sure you know and will appreciate the fact
that all this has been done only through
the hard work and ~tireless efforts put
forth by myself and a few members of
the hospital who have proved themselves
truly charitable people, and to us only the
credit belongs.
~ am sure that no man in my place
co,,d have done more for the hospital
than I have dom during my tenure OF
office. considering the fact that i nave
been so seriously hampered by the selhsn
interests Of the physicians and their wives
and friends, who, to my sorrow 1 must
saw. control a majority Of the board.
Il think / am safe in predicting tnat II
the members Of the Hospital Association,
who have the power but lack the spirit DO
not reorganize entirely the board OF oirec-
tors. and amend the constitution OF the
hospital to read that no member oil the
medical staff or any relative of a member
shall be eligible to membership on the
board-do not do so at once without any
delay-this institution will be doomed 70
failure and will become a disgrace TO the
Hebrew citizens of this cry. | remain
yours respectfully,
JOSEPH OKIN.'
Il claim they had no right to ac-
cept my resignation last night SAID
Mr.. okin today. tfor it was not ad-
dressed to them but to the members OF
the association. l am fighting for the
public and / have them with me.
1.-THE directors made Mr.. Levi re-
sign the same way, and ! claim that
the hospital win never be a success
with the physicians. their wives and
relations as directors. The board should
be reorganized and the sooner the bet
ter.
The directors were aware h a the