The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-05
PHYSICIANS
FAVOR TRANSFER PLAN
Members of Medical College Faculty, However,
Oppose Acquisition of Memorial by City
as Free HOSPITAL

Enthusiastic approval of the plan
for acquisition OF the Memorial Hos
pital by the city is given by many
leading physicians OF Richmond and
by many members of the City Council,
though few members of the faculty
OF the Medical College OF Virginia have
expressed the hope that the city will
erect its own hospital. and that the
Memorial will continue TO be operated
as at present. The offer OF the Memo
rial board TO the City Council TO turn
the institution over to the city under
certain conditions is the outgrowth
OF long negotiations, and is largely the
work of Chairman II. r. Pollard, Jr.,
OF the Council Committee on Finance.
Several years ago the City Hospital
connected with the Almshouse was re-
organized and placed under a volun-
teer visiting STAFF, under the leader
ship of DIR. George Ben Johnston. all
OF the physicians and surgeons giving
their services 70 the poor OF the city
without compensation. At that time
the step was stated to be but an en-
tering wedge toward a city hospital
entirely divorced from the Almshouse.
AS further move in that direction,
the medical staff has recently recon-
mended the establishment of a train
Hospital.
How 1t CHmo About.
Some months ago the medical staff
brought the need for Il separate pub
lie hospital. not connected with the
Almshouse. to the attention Of the
Committee on Relief of the Poor,
which. after debate. unanimously rec
commended TO the Council that plans
be prepared for such an institution.
Later DR.. Charles r. Robins headed
committee from the Memorial Hospi-
tai, which appeared before the coun
Gil Finance Committee. asking that
the city appropriation to the Memorial
be increased
DR.. Robins represented that the Me-
mortal was doing a large amount OF
charity work, having. in fact, more
free beds than some hospitals in the
city have beds In all. He stated that
the institution. while admirably equip
ped. had an insufficient endowment,
and could not longer continue its
large free work without adequate sup
port. The idea then occurred to
Chairman Pollard that since the Me-
mortal had an ideal plant, which it
confessed Itself as being hardly able
financially to operate. and since the
need for public city hospital was OBJ
vious to all, that mutual agreement
could be reached. and as far back as
last February he entered into nego-
tiations with E. l. Bemiss and Eppa
Hunton. Jr.. OF the Memorial board
transmitted to the Council on Monday
night.
Accident and Acute Cases.
II the offer is accepted, as seems a
foresone conclusion, the hospital will
be used for all acute cases arising
from the INDECENT of the city, and for
all ambulance and emergency cases OF
Whatever nature. the hospital wing OF
the Almshouse being continued for
chronic cases. tuberculosis and incur
able diseases. The ambulances would
be operated directly from the Memorial.
and all dispensary work, treatment OF
the outdoor poor and clinical work
would be from the citys central nos-
pital. AT present the basement of tho
Memorial is used for free treatment OF
colored people. 1t has been suggested
that in the event of the institution
being acquired by the city. adjoining
property be condemned. with a view OF
erecting one or more wards for color
ed people. and offices for dispensaries
and other requirements of public
free hospital.
point OF discussion among doctors
and others is whether any charge
would Be made IN the event that tho
Institution wero raintaincd by the
city. the concensus of opinion seem
ing to be that those who are able to
pay should pay minimum fees. but
that no one should be turned away for
lack of means. and that the treatment
in all cases should be the SAME. pay
or free. This is sa:d to be the rule
in the Henry Grady Hospital. main
tanned by the city OF Atlanta. and In
many similar institutions throughout
the country.
Admirably Arranged.
In answer to obis.tioms that have
been raised by those who say thut
the Memorial was not designed us IA
free hospital, those familiar with the