The Detroit times., 1913-06-28
VIII Not Accept PrOlfered $780,
900 to Build Hospital Units
TO Care For City's
Sick Poor
THIS DECISION STOPS
INJUNCTION CASE
Opponents of Scheme Go To
Court Before Advised of
Hospitals Action

Nn4Io PToteslhnt ministers were
protesting against the lending Of
100000, authorized by the council
and the board OF estimates, to st.
Marys hospital, to build al addition
for the care OF city cases, IN a meet.
ing in the office OF the poor commits
sioners, Friday morning, william NJ.
Walker, president OF the commission,
brought the discussion, which was
ral&ily becoming dangerously per-
sonal along sectarian lines. TO sud
den close by reading q letter from
the mother superior OF St Mary s
hospital, saying that the hospital
board Of trustees had decided not TO
accept dollar OF the city's money
under any consideration. Previous TO
this announcement. another surprise
was sprung on the board. when no
tices OF a suit for an Injunction re-
straining the commission from using
the 100000 for an addition TO St.
Mary's, were served on the@ members
OF the board.
The letter from the hospital board
follows:
Detroit. June "a, 1913.
To the Hon. Board OF Poor Commits
sioners, Detroit, Mich.
Gentlemen We are in receipt OF
your proposal 20 contract with St
Marys hospital for the building OF
q unit or units with the 100000 re-
Gently allowed your board by the
board OF estinators
After a very careful consideration OF
your proposal, our board OF directors
most Respectfully declines the proposed
fpa0VuTanh "A w faal
can best subserve the interests OF the
city and hts INDECENT patients by re-
fusing TO accept one dollar OF the $500
600 legally awarded 10 US by your hon
oraole board.
In taking this action We would be
derelict In our duty II at the same
time, we did not acknowledge our
great sense OF gratitude due 20 your
honorable board in selecting ST. Mary's
hospital 20 use this money for the
imperative needs OF the city poor pa
TENTS.
The city sick poor have always re-
ceived our very best attention and.
during the recent public discussions OF
their wants II has been frankly adj
nttted by those who understand the
situation. that St Mary's hospital has
IN the past. and Is at present caring
for over 50 per cent Of the city sick
poor, and always at a financial loss.
Indeed. We were both surprised and
panied 10 read IN thes daily press that
OF this city entered protest against
your action in awarding the 100000
20 81. Mary's Hospital, on the ground
that II II n secterian institution.
AS matter OF fact. this hospital
cares for all classes OF patients. ire
spective OF race or creed. II has been
never truthfully said that any. patient
has been turned from its doors because
sons receive equal care and considera-
ton. In our institution. and the re-
ligious beliefs OF those coming under
our care are in no way irterfered with.
We feel sure that these facts were
we'll known 70 your honorable board
when you decided TO offer the 5000. 900
above referred 10.
Had these ministerial gentlemen In
formed themselves Of the true condi-
lions they could not have truthfully
made the criticisms credited TO them.
The fund came 70 US IN solicited. This
fact alone, we believe. IL sufficient to
demonstrate that your honorable board
and the public generally have con-
fdence In our integrity and good mo-
tives In caring for the poor OF the city
OF Detroit.
our institution Is crowded today
with city cases and we venture the
assertion that at no previous time In
the history OF Detroit has the present
condition existed
To the end that these ministerial as
sociations may be OF assistance IN
solving this great problem, we respect
fully Invite the members TO St Mary
hospital where they may be able TO
OF these worthy charges
We shall continue 10 cooperate, In
sofRr We are able. with your hon-
orabie board IN carrying on this work
wav clear to otherwise care for them.
We trust that our action In refusing
this fund will not be misconstrued We
deeply appreciate the faith and trust
reposed In us by your proposal above
mentioned. but at the same time. we
most respectfully decline TO accept the
same.
Notices were sent 10 IL clergymen
70 attend the meeting, but only the
Rev. Hugh Jack, OF the Central Pres
byterian church; Rev, James VI. Bark.
ley, OF the Forest-ave. Presbyterian
church: Rev. George 3. Marsh, OF the
Centenary NJ. z. church, and the Rev.
George Woestenberg, OF the German
Lutheran Evangelical church OF Del
ray. we're present. II was explained
that the other ciergymen we're ont OF
the city. Drs. T. A. McGraw, Andrew
p. Biddle, w. VI. Donald. F w. Rob
bins and s G. Miner represented the
medical profession. Edward II Doyle
was also present In the meeting.
Dr. John s. Hall. member OF the
poor commission, after explaining the
fight that the poor commission, assist
ed by the physicians and charitable
societies, had made 10 secure an ade-
quate appropriation for the care OF
the citys sick poor, and calling atten-
ton TO the fact that the clergymen OF
the city had taken no part In the INF
tial proceedings, asked what sugges-
tons the opponents Of tho boards
action had TO make for the care OF the
city patients.
THE hospitals are over-crowded and.
city patients are dying in st. Mary's
hospital because or the lack OF room
TO properly care for them said Dr.
Hall.
No plan was offered bylths Clergy
men, and after announcing the fact
that St Mary's mad declined 10 accept
the offer OF the poor commission.
President Walker declared that the
commission hands had been tied by
the adverse criticism OF the clergy
men.
I'm sure don't know what else
can be done" said Mr. Walker. III
objeC tons are made 10 the building OF
an addition 10 81. Mary's hospital on
seciarian lines, then the same ob'ec.
lions Will hold good against the other
hospitals II IL too bad that we who
believe I'm helping our unfortunate Eel
Tow men. must allow ttelr suffering
70 90 unheeGed The city cannot
build a municipal hospital; the pres.
a<sf n f,lt "a ir