The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-15
WANTS CITY TO
OWN HOSPITAL
Talk Revived Following Proposal
That the Municipality Acquire
the Memorial and Conduct
1t AS a General City
Hospital.
X { H NJ o n d, V A-SpeciaI.-
With the details not in any way dis

r H NJ o n D, V A-SpeciaI.-
With the details not in any way dis
cussed, with all the discussion of a
tentative nature, there is a movement
on foot TO have the city take as a gift
the Memorial Hospital, and to assume
the direction of the same as a free
hospital.
That is the idea that is being ia
Nored by Chairman Henry r. Pollard.
Jr., chairman of the Finance Commit
tee OF the Common Council. and one
of the most successful business men
in the City. The scheme has been un-
DER consideration for some months
ana II is finding many supporters in
the city-sOme identified with the
hospital and others who are not Off
clallN connected with that institution
There is some objection 20 the mat
ter on the part of certain gentlemen
who enjoy a wide and lucrative prac-
uce in the Memorial, and il is being
pointed out that the institution is in
excellent shape. that il is at this time
doing a vast amount of charity work.
that II draws TO the city for profess
Sional work a large number of per
sons from all over the State. and il is
undeniable that the hospital at this
time is in better condition than at any
time since il was opened to the public
The last year was one of the best in
its history. and all running expenses
are paid up in full There is a mort
SdSC Ol the property Oh some S4O.uOO.
that having been placed sometime ago
and the interest charges on this are
met each year.
The reports show that since il was
opened the Memorial Hospital has
done anywhere from 50 TO 40 per cent.
of its work for pure charity-receiv-
ing not a cent of pay from the pa
uents who have been treated. not a
cent for medicines. clothing laundry
or nursing. II is this drain on the
resources OF the hospital which has
prevented liquidation of the mort
gage and prevented the doing of a
great deal more for charity than has
been done.
SO far there is not word in writ
ing concerning the project, and it is
not known when such step Will be
taken. The Memorial Hospital is
owned by the Memorial Hospital trus-
tees-that is, the title is vested in
them. The hospital is operated by
a corporation, and the stan of the
Medical College of Virginia is identi-
fled with it. There are clinics for the
Medical College of Virginia in the
Memorial at all times during the year.
According to the plans for the trans |
fer of the hospital, the Medical Col
lege of Virginia will continue TO have
the use of the hospital for all clint
cal lectures, and there will be a self
perpetuatinS board TO manage the in
stitution, majority of them to be
~ OIit me eAlStlhS directorate OF that |
institution.
Consolidate All COLLEGES
Right on the heels of this report
ed transfer OF the Memorial to the
city comes the old story of the con-
Soldatlon OF all the medical schools
IN the State. This has been discussed
before there have been meetings and |
conferences. Now. however, there is /
no question that the next meeting of I
the General Assembly of Virginia Will /
deal with the matter of medical edu-
cation in the State, and that there will |
certainly be an attempt TO consolidate |
the medical department of the Uni |
NerSlty of Virginia with the Medical /
College of Virginia.
DR.: Edward y. Alderman, of
the University OF Virginia, was
mere this week. and ne called To
see DIR. Stuart Mcclure and also
DIR. George Ben Johnston. If the
matter of merging or consolidate
ing all the schools under one
head and one name was discuss
ed at any of these conferences or
meeting il Is not being made pub
lie.
However, there is belief that
here VIII come another meeting or
conference, that the best interests of
al the medical schools in the State
appeal to the gentlem n who are con-
lecied with the medical education of
he youth. and that such a step will
Re consummated within short time.
this is done it will mean that the
hree schools in Virginia will be man
'Sed from this city It will be re-
allied that a few days ago there was
story TO the effect that such
curse would he recommended to the
General Assembly by the Virginia
Commission. scheduled
o meet here. last evening, but which
lid not meet at that time
SOuth's Medical Center.
III the medical colleges of Virginia
nan be gotten together IL will mean
nat there will be one of the greatest !
choolS in the United States right here
Vhich has worldwide reputation |
hat students will come from all parts
4 the United States that the CONSOLE
lated school would have a prestige un-