Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-13

- - ana SID.VD0 Tor l3lE. lie SuS
sested that those figures are no cri-
terlon for the coming two years or
, even those OF four years ago.
| lie explained that 100000 has been
donated by the State and $4,000 do
mated by subscribers. Legacies will
be received in time undoubtedly, but
! they are lacking at present. It is i'm
peratiVe that the institution be kept
in operation until it is strong enough
to take cure of itself He cited fig
ures from the statement of facts filed
with the committee showing the
many cases treated and the small
amount of revenue obtainable, SO large
is the proportion of charitable cases.
He insisted that the hospital is do
ing more charitable work than any
similar institution in the State. Last
year. only Is patients had agreed 10
pay FOR treatment and. as Il matter
of fact. collections were made from
only 13 out of SO patients The high
est charge is 81 day and the figures
show that board alone costs an aver
age of $f.27 day. No charge is made
for surgical, medical treatment or
nursing.
While-t had tried to have patrons
pay something they had collected
only $1,000 from patients Free treat
ment to outside patients was dcserih-
ed. and it Was explained how the
managers had been forced two years
ago. after failure to secure ADEQUATE
State aid to appeal to the general
public for funds
In order to create a favorable i'm
preston the managers had set a good
example raising $4,000 to start the fund
The returns showed that hoo contri-
buttons were received. $50 from clubs.
fraternities and organizations. repre-
sentlng altogether 10000 contributors
There is remaining from the $4,000
collected then $4,000. II is estinat-
ed that he revenue this year, Will be
$4,000, a total of $4,000 with an esti-
mated expense of $4,000 On this basis
the State has been asked for $4,000,
this year, and for SEA 900 for 1914
Mr.. Payscn remarked that he
thought it would be useless to 20
to the public again so soon for anoth-
er subscription. He hoped the commit
tee would understand that the insti-
tuition is not asking for one dollar
more than is needed An auditors ac-
count was filed TO show what the ex-
penditures had been.
He explained that there is a debt of
$4,000, with a burden of interest,
to $500 a year The State
is asked to appropriate $4,000, this
year, and $4,000 for 1914, to aid in re-
duetion of this debt
Nh. Pa VssDn pypla5naJ file. it
the only institution in ,he State that
exists exclusively for aid to crippled
children. 1t is conceded everywhere
that wonderful amount of good is be-
ing done in the special field it has
chosen.
Chairman Emery ask ed about the
doctors in attendance and the custom
with reference TO calling in family
Mr.. Payson said he was glad his at
tertion had been called to this matter
as he had Internationally omitted ref
erence to this phase of the subject
He said that q corps of surgeons and
pl. ysicians is in the service of the in
stitution. He paid a high tribute to DR..
e. G. Abbott, the surgeon, and to DR..
Pirgree and DR.. Lamb, his associates.
He said that Dr. Abbott has a world
wide reputation, that he is called away
frequently and is to sail soon for Paris
and Berlin to lecture on his special
process for treatment of curvature of
the spine
DR.. Abbott is not popular with some
gentlemen of Portland, according to
Mr.. Payson, who declared that under
handed ID.
this Legislature and was, two years
ago.
You do not mean that any attempt
has been made to influence this com
mittee. do your asked Chairman EN-
cry.
Mr.. Payson replied that lie did NOT
but that members of the Legislature
were being approached and urged not
TO support it's requests. He went on
to say that he did not object to hon-
est criticism but he did not welcome
opposition of this sort from men who
do not have the courage TO make such
opposition openly.
lie invited the members of the COM
mittee to visit the institution al any
time, without notice to see Just what
was being done in the hospital.
Col. Hale spoke briefly saying that
he hoped the committee would not
md 1t necessary To cut out a dollar
that has been asked for even for re
ductton of the debt. He did say that
II any reduction is found necessar,
that the appropriations for maintain
auce be left at the figures named as
they have been set down as low as
possible.
He also invited the committee or n
subcommittee to visit the hospital
and said that this was done, two wears
ago and that the members who in
spected the hospital were convinced
that good work is being done for the
unfortunate children of the State
from every county. Col Hale said
there is debt of $6S,000. 1t is in.
terest bearing. 1t must be paid some
ufne and the managers are anxious to
nave 1t reduced, every year. There 10
nothing to hide, there are no secrets
The public believes in the institution
ana this will be evident some time
as legacies will surely come in the
future and the income will be of ma
terial assistance in CARRYING on the.
good work II