The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-08

quest as no final action on matters
pertaining to finances can be taken
under the law except where the ap-
plication is made at one meeting and
then postponed for action to another.
At the meeting next Friday the COM
missioners will decide upon the appli
cation and it is believed that the 500
per month will be granted. That is the
only charitable Undertaking here that
the city does not contribute to.
Mrs. Johnson spoke only after the
modesty of Miss Lillian Sparrow, the
superintendent, exerted a restraining
influence upon the trained worker. Mrs.
Johnson preceded her informal state
ment to the commissioners by saying
that a statement had been filed for the
information of the officials which dis
played the financial operations of the
hospital She said that all the members
of the directory were housekeepers who
were given an allowance in the man
agement of their home and it was safe
to say that they knew In measure
how to "cut corners" She affirmed
that in administering the affairs of the
hospital the same care as to the ex-
penditure of money was taken as in the
homes of the members.
Scarcely Year Old
1.-THE hospital that we are operating"
said Mrs. johnson, ''is scarcely one year
old 1t was founded by a few interest
ed men and women who were acquaint-
ed with the 1amentable conditions that
surround some children of Birmingham.
Their sad plight often brought to the
attention of persons interested sug-
gested the formation of the organiza-
tion. Since 1T has been in operation
there has been a constant stream of
sick children from infancy to II years
through the hospital. They come as one
can well see, from those homes where
the touch of wealth has never been
known and where the narrowing spec
ter of poverty has often left its ter
rible touch. These children are taken
in and treated without price. The hos
pital has been supported by the money
of few persons and by such sums as
we have been able to get by infre-
quent functions such as the doll bazar.
We feel that this work is here to re-
main 1t is inexpressedly pressing. Were
it discontinued there can scarcely be
pictured the excess of harm that would
take place.
'If it is continued the work can be
this city which claims high degree of
civilization.
City Should Participate
This work is such municipal charity
that we have felt for some time that
the city should participate in the main
tenance. However, we wished to work
alone for few months and be in a posi-
ton to show results before this appica-
ton for aid was made. That time has
rUl, - l.s. ..I4,r 4
district will soon be acquainted with the
class of work performed at this hospital
and Will be sending us a great many more
children than are now in our care. Chill
dren have q happy way OF keeping rea-
sonably we'll during the cold months. But
when the summer comes their trying time
arrives. We anticipate that during the
summer our capacity will be tested. In
this connection Miss Sparrow of Boston,
who has recently taken over this hos
pital, has revolutonized the work in many
respects. SIZE has other reformations that
will take place from time to time which
will necessitate certain improvements.
1.-THE owner of the house we now occupy
will perhaps make some of the improve
ments while others will be made of our
own funds. The former act will cause our
rent to be increased. In view of the
fact that we must have these improve
ments, that our rent is to be increased,
that summer is to come soon and other
propositions that will increase our operat-
ing expenses and in view of the very
gratifying reflection this work casts upon
the city we believe this appropriation
should be granted.
Care of Children an Exact Science
"The officials of this hospital have
taken the trouble to ascertain that sta
tistics by experts absolutely disapprove