St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-01-20
$9,3OO.00

new building an estimate was made that
showed our net debt would be about
$4,000. The above statement is given
to disabuse many people of the notion
that the Hospital is free from debt and
does not require further help. The man
agement has been cognizant of such and
similar ideas gaining credence.
Again some people wonder why such
things as Tag Day." calls for money,
all the selfsacrihce and work that
the Ladies Aid Association has put
forth so intelligently and helpfully, are
continually coming to the attention Of
the public.
In answer the management points to
the following:
First-The debt OF $4,000.
Second-The absolute necessity of in
staling new equipment as fast as funds
will permit. A great many hundreds,
yes thousands of dollars could be advan-
tageously expended in this way. The
right elevator will cost from $500 to
$4,000.
Third-When the Association decided
to construct a new building, it was
obliged because Of limited funds, to put
up much less expensive building than
might have been contracted for to great
advantage. We did not have enough
into $500 to put up the building we did.
Is it strange or unexpected that funds
are now and ever will be needed to main
tain and increase necessary equipment!
AS to the building it can be truthtully
stated that for the money expended we
have at least good value received. A
representa- alive of McKim, Mead & White,
Architects, was going over the building
and inquired the cost. On being told he
replied that he did not see how it could
be done for the money expended.
Fourth-Almost allinstitutions similar
to this have an endowment fund enab-
ling them to do charitable work, or in
creasing their revenue for current ex-
penses, or maintaining free beds. Bright
look Hospital has no such fund and has
very limited amount to help maintain
free bed. We are dependent absolutely
upon our earnings and special gifts to
pay expenses.
All these things the public has been
made aware of through published state
ments, reports at dedicatory exercises
and at other times. Yet there seems to
bea large number of people who, inten-
tionally or otherwise, think we ought to
have abundant funds.
Is it not easy to see from the above
statement that we need and will need
funds
Let every one advertise this fact as
much as possible and we may receive
funds from various sources.
The management is aware that some
methods employed at the Hospital are
probably Observation-Disclosures deal
ing largely with minor details. Upon a
thorough inquiry we believe it will bt
readily ascertained that only those
methods are employed as are found prac-
ticable in hospitals elsewhere. Such In
curry is earnestly desired.
One or two items are sufficient to illus
trate this point.
Many have said that the Hospita
ought not to provide the surgeons gowf
LOT the operating room. Yet it is tn
common practice in all hospitals to DE-
this; Some believe that any extra charg
ought not to be made to patients for tn
use OF the operating room. We woult
IKE to ask ifit would be justice to charg
tnose who do not have use for this room
70 nelp pay the expense incurred by thos
VINO do. The charge would have to b