South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-28
LAY PLANS To GET
HOSPITAL SUPPORT
Trustees and Friends Meet at
Oliver to Discuss Needs of
EpWOrth Hospital and How
to Meet Them.

The first meeting of the executive
session which is to raise $4,000 for
Epworth hospital. part of which will
be used for the charity ward and a
children's ward was held Friday noon
at luncheon at the Oliver hotel
Miss Anne B. Coushaine, of New
York, who will solicit part of the fund,
presented her plan and l. P. Hardy,
chairman Of the trustees presided as
POSTMASTER
Miss Coushaine has conducted sim
liar campaigns in other cities, having
just completed one at Johnstown for
catholic hospital there where over
$500 was given. She plans an or
ganization of over 800 workers
Speakers at the session were Simon
Greenebaum, Rev. j. L. Gardiner, w.
o. Davies and others. In part in his
speech setting forth the need of more
funds Mr.. Hardy said
For Is years EpwOrth hospital has
rendered valuable service to South
Bend and vicinity. Previous to the
occupancy of the present building.
the good ladies of the Methodist
church carried on hospital work in
small way in an old building near
where the present one stands. The
demands for hospital service were so
pressing that the present building
was built with the understanding that
if the citizens of South Bend would
contribute for the same, Mr.. elem
Studebaker would endow the hospital
with a like sum.
Efforts were made to raise neces-
sary amount but failed. The Glenn
Studebaker family assumed the build
ing obligations, and with their later
gifts have contributed nearly $4,000.
Failing in securing pledges to cover
building costs, sustaining fund of
$4,000 a year was solicited. This
amount was pledged and the amount
for the first year paid.
These sustaining pledges from
various causes have dWindied until in
later years only a small percent has
been collected.
To-day the hospital has little sup
port aside from its own earnings.
pital was a city hospital. which is far
from being true. The city does fur
nish water free, and pays regular fees
for emergency cases where the city is
responsible. This, however, does not
provide for the unfortunate, who are
unable to avail themselves of the hos
pitaps privileges.
OI d nuUDeT Oh years the nos
pital affairs were controlled by a
board Of trustees selected from the
Methodist churches. but later. in ac-
cOrdance with its liberal policy, il was
decided to disregard the original plan. |
and the institution is now entirely
free from denominational control.
Service is Costly.
Few understand the cost of rem
dering hospital service, which aver
90
including drugs and supplies. The
last annual report shows that there
was $673.67 expended for drugs and
for surgical supplies $914.46. A large
per cent of the patients pay less per
week than the average cost, while un-
cOllesuble accounts on the books
show that many have never paid any
thing
A knowledge of these facts makes
il very clear why deficit annually
stares the management in the face.
The total expense for last year
were S25,218.71. while the receipts
were $25,06O.46.
The receipts are from the follow
ing sources: Regular hospital fees. /
incidental fees, amounts received
through the ladies' board. amounts
contributed to the sustaining fund
and from tag day.
Originally the hospital was com /
plete in every detail. modern and 4
well-appOinted. Time has made some /
expensive repairs necessary. Modern I
hospital service with the highest de- 1
gree Of efficiency calls for expensive |
equipment and supplies.
In the last year a new nurses I
home has been built at an expense of /
$1,000 on a property costing $1,000.
The training school for nurses has I
always been one Of the valuable fea-
lures Of the hospital and from this |
school have gone out many Of the /
most competent nurses
The financial condition OF the hos /
pital deserves the attention and gen
erOus consideration OF the citizens OF /
South Bend 4 debt Of some $4,000 ]
is held against the nurses home Dro
erty. while some $4,000 more is re- 4
quired TO make the necessary repairs /
and for additional supplies and equip /
ment.
"A ward for charity patients will /
be provided If citizens furnish the
funds. The needs for children's ward /
is equally great.
THE hospital management has
been recently graciously remembered
by Mr. and Mrs. Geo Wyman with
$4,000. Mrs. Margaret Stull, $500 and
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