Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-20
HEARING IS LIVELY
Controversy Over Hospital
Matter Proves Lengthy.
CRITICISE CHARITIES BOARD
Its Policy for Separation of Public
and Private Cases Found
Fault With. Il
CRITICISE CHARITIES BOARD

he hospital controversy, involving fthe
separation of public and private chari-
ties. was the basis of lively hearing
before the subcommittee on District APP
preparations of the Senate appropriations
committee this morning.
For three hours the discussion con-
tinued, any statement made by one side
being promptly met by another to dis
prove the first or to minimize its force
When luncheon time came, the threshing
out process was nowhere near finished.
and it was continued at 3 O'Clock this
afternoon.
There a direct challenge of the
statement, on the part of the board OF
charities, that patients could be cared
for more economically i'm municipal in
stitution than in the private institutions
to which the federal and District govern
Hents are now contributing. The dis
cusson of that point occupied much OF
the time this morning.
DIR. w. p. Carr, representing the Emer-
gency Hospital, which would cease to ex-
list within few years il the plans OF the
board of charities are carried out led of
the discussin by sharp criticisms of the
policy of the board of charities for the
separation of public and private charities.
DIR. Carr was against the substitution for
the Emergency Hospital, i'm the heart OF
the city. of a municipal hospital out i'll
losis Hospital, on the ground of distance.
He maintained, too. that while the city
might, according TO the figures of the
board of charities, save money. the saw
ing to the city would only result in great
er expense to the individual patients.
Would Be More Efficient.
George L. Hamilton, member of the
board of charities. followed DR. Carr.
and John Joy Edison, president OF the
board of charities. also was heard
They outlined the recommendations Of
the board Of charities in favor of a
public municipal hospital in preference
to the present numerous private insti-
buttons, and argued that the change
would result in increased efficiency and
economy.
When increased economy was argued
in behalf of the board of charities its
opponents Immediately challenged the
claim and demanded proof DR. George
NJ. Kober of the board of charities was
then put forth to furnish the proof.
He told the subcommittee that the cost
per patient at the Washington Asylum
Hospital. a public institution, is about 81
cents per day, and that the cost per pa
tient at St. Elizabeth Asylum. also
public institution is about the same.
For the public charges which are
cared for in the Emergency and Colun-
bia hospitals under the present system,
he said. the expense is between s1.lO
and $1.20.
Details As to Cost.
DIR. kober went into considerable de-
tail to compare the cost of caring for
patients in the semi-private institutions
and in the public institutions and he
was asked many questions by the men,
bers of the subcommittee, especially
Senator Gallinger, regarding the COM
parative costs
A feature of the hearing was the pres
entation of monster petition and a
Sasketful of individual petitions in be-
half of Columbia Hospital for Women.
asking that Congress continue the APP
preparations for il. These petitions
were presented by Mrs. Il. NJ. RiXey and
Mrs Emily Hay Fitch, who have taken
an active part in the campaign for the
Columbia Hospital since its appropria-
ton was knocked out in the House.