Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-06-18
Communication


for an observation upon articles which
may be Of some interest to your read
ers.
In reading the Watertown Daily
Times of June 9th, two articles were
somewhat interesting, and after read
ing the same, the question arose in
my mind as to whether that paper
holds the "Wonderful Cures accomp-
iished by the Fazakerley Formulas
superior to the benefits that NAV be
derived from treatments to be had at
the ''Haven of Refuge" or. in other
words. st. Mary's hospital.
Of course no one should disparage
or belitttle any institution or line
of treatment which will in any man.
ner tend to lessen the burden of human
sutferiDgs, and it is not my purpose
to do so. But the articles relating to
the hospital and to Fazakerley, ap-
pearing in the same issue of our daily
paper, my attention was probably
more attracted than it oherwis. would
have been. No one contends that
Fazakerley is treating anyone with
a solely charitable purpose in mind,
but must admit that his efforts ale
wholly for private gain. The free
treatments and consultations are given,
| believe, entirely with advertising
intent.
The question, of course, arises
What kind of an institution is ST..
Mary's hospital? Is it a charitable
institution? Let US see. If the hos
pital were a charitable institution OF
under the direct supervision of the
city authorities. all the citizens of
Watertown would take pride in it's
maintenance and all moneys appropri.
ated for its support from the public
treasury by the proper authorities,
would be met with the heartlest ap-
prevail of our people, for the reason
that it would then be entitled to sub
stantial support.
In this instance, however, the in.
stitution is conducted solely and alb
solutely by private parties and for pri-
vate gain. 1t Is not obligated in any
way to account to anyone concerning
any of it's actions. 1t does nothing
for charity, as the city is paying the
taxpayers money from the city Urea
sury annually, the sum Of $500 in
payment of limited number of in
dig.nt and emergency cases, and the
payment is mure than sufficient for
these treatments to insure reasonable
fees.
This hosp ital is receiving payment
for all it does for "suffering human
ity' and does no more, if as much
charity work, as do most of our ply
sicians indiv idually. DO these other
doctors ask for charity, and would
they get any gratuitivus assistance
even if it were asked? If this hos
pital were conducted by the city or
was under its supervision, or was con-
Quoted by some charitable institution,
it would be altogether right and just
that support be extended to it by gifts
and donations, and freely so. When,
however. an institution is being paid
all it asks for treatments, for room
rent, board ard nurse attendance, and
this money goes into the pockets of
private parties, does it seem proper
and just that the public be led to be-
lleve that it is a public institution
and should, in addition to the pay
ments of all charges made there, be
maintained and supported by charity?
The city, rs previously stated, is
paying $500 of the taxpayers money
for the maintenance of wholly pri-
vate enterprise, conducted solely for
the money there is in it, and it ap-
pears to me to be an injustice, and
doubtful as to such aD appropriation
being even legal.
The articles in the Daily Times do
not appear as advertisements. but as
the expression of the views of the
paper and for that reason have seen
fit to utilize your space. If the arti-
cIes are advertisements, believe they
should be so designated, for the pro.
lection uf its readers.
An Observer.