Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-06-22
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE
PRES. OF THE LINCOLN-DOUG-
LASS SANIToRIUM AND HOSPl-
tai ASSOCIATION.

Mr.. Cairman, Ladies and Gentle
men of the Association: We have
come to the close of the second year
of our organization. 1t has been an
eventful year and upon the face of
financial comparison with last year
it has been a disastrous one. We
closed our fiscal year in 1911 with a
cash balance of about rs dollars, we
close it in 1912 with a debt of about
80 dollars, bearing interest at 2 per
cent per month. And to add to the
dilemma, most of you who are hear
tonight as officers are perhaps seek
ing to be released from y our official
responsibilities, it bringing to you
neither money nor honor. You have
contributed, you are persuaded, more
than your share of time and money to
this unappreciated effort to serve
humanity brings you. This feeling is
natural under the conditions. But
with it all, we ought to face the facts
frankly, and weigh all of the condi-
tions honestly and then decide what
is our duty
AS president of the organization,
am willing to assume my RESPONSE
bility for our failure. | will not seek
potency that is founded upon good
evidence. But in order that informa-
tion may be given to those who have
trusted us as officers and too, that no
injustice may be done in our conelu-
sions; let us look into the conditions
under which we labored during the
past year. At our last annual meeting
while we had accumulated small
fund through various public and pri-
vate efforts, the spirit of endeavor
and sacrafice for sanitorium where
Negroes could be treated, had almost
entirely gone out of the general pub
lie. Many persons who had been fired
to undertake great things by the cam
paign o. the anti-tuberculosis asso-
citation, had lost their enthusiasm and
a reaction of almost obstinate indif-
ference was rapidly setting in. The
main result of the campaign was to
make it harder for the afflicted ones
to secure accommodations.
And not only did this condition pre-
vail in the general public and the
membership of this organization but
on account of inability of the officers
to secure proper place and equip
ment for a sanitorium they, the Off
GERS, seemed willing to give up the
ghost So while we had little mon
ey, the conditions that we faced re-
solved itself into the questions of
whether we should undertake some
thing definite and if necessary go
down in the struggle or whether we
should die inanition? l was one
that cast my lot on the side of under
taking something definite, try honest
ly and to the best of our ability and if
me worst came, we would at least
have the consolation of having tried.
We did try and our present condition
is the result. An opportunity came
and we tried and failed. The oppor-
tunity was that of large well built,
conveniently located house, fairly
well equipped and with an experienced
woman IN charge We were offered
one-half interest in the equipment and
the influence that the institution had
already gained, for $500. The terms
were $500 down and the balance on
monthly payments of any amount that
we couid raise. We almost dictated
our own terms and by gathering to-
gether what we could from all
sources, collected about $85, and then
to raise the balance and to meet our
share OF the rent, which also came
due Immediately, we borrowed $75.
In all of this we had in mind that il
we really secured a place the peo-
pie would support and maintain it.
But the time of our closing this 9TH
erwise excellent deal was inoppor-
tune. Just as we got the yoke of re-
sponsibility comfortably fixed upon
our necks, we realized that financial
depression was upon us. Persons of
means who had intimated that sup
mort would ho forthc0poin0 nnipf od1v
reused to help US under the finan-
sial conditions and others whose
hearts were with US on account Of
the financial stringency lost oppor-
tunity to earn sufficient to be able to
give any substantial support. But
be it said to great credit and courage
of few, that they bravely rallied to
the cause in the face of almost GER
tain defeat.
But to add to our chagrin, the first
month the institution ran behind
about $50 in current expenses. And
with another $40 due from us as our
share of another months rent, all in
addition to the SIS Understanding
note, made it necessary for US to
withdraw while we could without AN
actual disgrace. And ever since that
time a few men and women of the
board of directors have been paying
interest on that note and assessing
themselves to pay on the principal.
They have reduced it to about $31.
BY their courage and sacrafice these
officers have shonn themselves men
and women of honor and honesty. For
although hampered with limited in
comes and with their own personal
responsi pilities In the stringent times
pressing them, they did not finch,