Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-08-24
THE COUNTY HOSPITAL
A Plain Statement of the Financial
Side of the Matter.
BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
Review Of General Financial Plan,
Cost of Construction and Oper-
alton, and Other Facts For
Voters to Consider.

The county hospital proposition
should be considered on it's merits.
No preconceived notions, predilec-
tions or prejudice should have any
place in the discussion. Viewed
from the standpoints of expediency,
morals or necessity, all thoughtful
men must concede a verdict in fav-
or of the hospital
The only argument worthy Of
consideration that has been or can
be advanced against the project is
the monetary one-the matter of
original cost and subsequent main
tenance.
And for the purpose of securing
a foundation of facts to rest our
judgment upon, let us consider this
phase of the subject, fully and
somewhat in detail. If the propo-
sition cannot win on the presenta-
tion of the truth, the absolute
facts in the case, it does not de-
serve to win, and should not receive
a majority support at the polls.
And, per contra, if after a careful
consideration of the facts as pre-
sented herewith as to the proposed
cost of site and buildings for a hos
pital and the maintenance thereof,
appeals to the better judgment Of
the voter, even though slightly
increased financial burden be add
ed in the way of between SO and 81
increase in taxation on the average
160-acre farm in the county for two
years, then and in that case the
proposition should have a strong
majority support at the polls. The
petition filed with the Board of
Supervisors respectfully asks that
an annual tax be levied for the es-
tablishment and maintenance of a
Public Hospital in Decorah. Iowa,
costing not to exceed $4,000 for
the purchasing or building of said
hospital" The parties concerned
in circulating and presenting said
petition to the Board of Supervisors
never contemplated nor had any in
tention of using more than about
$4,000 for the purchase of a site
and the erection of a building for
hospital purposes. And in the
opinion of those in a position to
pass judgment in this matter, this
sum will be amply sufficient for the
purpose intended for the present,
and for the immediate and prob
ably remote future.
The balance of the $4,000 ask
ed for, viz: $4,000 to $4,000,
was for the purpose of equipment
and maintainance of said hospital
for few years, or until such time
as the institution would arrive at
a self-sustaining basis.
Referring to the official directory
and financial report for Winneshiek
county, 1909, issued from the Au-
ditor's Office in February, 1910, we
find that the total taxable valuation
OF all property in the county is
$6,3S2.S61. A two mill (.OO2) tax
on the above valuation would yield
$12.765,72 in one year and $685.
531.44 in two years, which, it is
thought, would be sufficient to Sc
cure a site and erect building
capable of accommodating 20 to 25
which would be amply
sufficient for present needs and
probably for all future time. Bear
In mind that two mill (.OO2) tax
for two years. viz: 1910 and 1911
will produce the sum of $25,531.44
on the present valuation of prop
erty in the county and that it is
believed that for this sum a proper
site can be secured and a suitable
building erected thereon, capable
OF accommodating from 20 to 25
patients. Whether it could be
fully equipped, ready for use and
occupancy, for the above sum may
be In some doubt, but on the sup
position that it could be provision
must be made for its support and
for the immediate
future or until such time as the in
stitution could be brought to a self
sustaining basis.
To provide for this an annual
levy of from u to " of a mill tax
for few years, yielding in the first
case about $1.60O.OO and in the
latter about $3.1O0, would be am
ply sufficient for the purpose indi-
Gated.
Under the plan as above out