New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-15
HOSPITAL BILL AGAIN.
Passed an assembly -Mayor's peto
Severely Condemned.

Albany May Il (SpeciaD.-The Huth bill. re-
lating TO the removal OF dying patients from
hospitals IN New York City, passed by the
Assembly this morning over Mayor McClean's
Veto by vote of 80 to 20. The vote sig
niflcant in several ways 1t showed the opinion
of the Assembly the existing condition of
affairs in several hospitals IN New York City
and the power or rather lack of power. Of the
minority leader his own party, Para
disc Jimmy" Oliver used his best efforts to sus
tain Mayor Mcclellan
This measure which is generally known as
Coroner Harburger's bill, seeks to remedy the
practice said TO exist In New York hospitals Of
removing patients in dying condition TO city
hospitals to keep down the death rate. It has
been heartily Endorsed and public opinion here
and IN New York City seems to have demanded
the passage of this measure to do away with
the "disgraceful practices Of certain hospitals
there.
In vetoing the bill Mayor Mcclellan gave az
one of his reasons the statement that hospital
doctors very often could not tell whether the
patient in a dangerous condition when he
was moved" Assemblymen HUH and Dobbs
took full advantage OF this TO hold the
veto up TO ridicule and sarcasm. Said Mr. HUH:
IF a doctor in a hospital Of New York City
cannot tell when patient is In dying cond-
tion in such a condition that moving may
produce fatal consequences. he has no right TO
occupy that position or 10 practise medicine
Such a reason is absurd"
The introducer then explained that after con-
sutation with Assemblynan Robinson, OF New
York City, he had framed the bill as TO meet
every fair objection that could be raised 70 IT.
THE bill simply requires the superintendent OF
a hospital or. in his absence, the senior medical
officer present. 10 furnish written certificate
setting forth his reasons for removing any pa
tient IN seriously Ill or precarious condition.
and that no patient shall be removed except
for good cause TO be shown in the certificate"
he said.
Assemblyman Young spoke against the bill,
attacking Coroner Hamburger. This bill is
Harburger's bill" he exclaimed. "Now, every
knows that Coroner Hamburger has made
himself such a nuisance around the hospitals IN
New York that the superintendent have failed
10 treat him with the amount OF dignity that
he thought his due. For this reason. and for
the sake Of trying TO annoy them he has brought
this bin up here. It is a silly measure. and
there is no reason for passing IT."
After MIR. Oliver had given his views the
bill at length and explained why no thought the
Mayors veto should be upheld. Assemblyman
Dobbs spoke for the measure. The hospitals in
New York City" said he. have become pretty
much of a law unto themselves and 1t is high
time that this condition should be checked by
this Legislature II patient is murdered IN Il
hospital his heirs have redress. way of
furnishing the murderer Take Bellevue for
instance A hospital attendant tursp on
patient and stamp hts life out. and nothing could
be done about IT by any outside the hos
ptal Shall we help peTpetuato such state Of
affairs by defeating this bill7 l believe II TO
be a measure that VIII have a beneficial effect
on the conduct Of the hospitals. and therefore
should be passed"
The vote for the BIZ was surprise TO the
House. Among those who voted for II As
semblymen Moreand. the majority leader;
Prentice Rogers, Robinson and O'BTien. while
Assemblynen Phillips. Wainwright Oliver and
"Al' Smith voted against II.