Evening journal., 1917-11-23
HOSPITAL ASKS FOR
neutrality-suspicious.
Cannot Perform Service Cost
ing $4,000 for Only
$4,000 Gift
COUNCIL MIFFED,
SENT LETTER ALONG

Claiming that they are giving $1,000
worth Of free service to the city for
which they receive but $1,000 from city
Council and also that a number OF the
free city patients, especially those on
Saturday nights, are alcoholic dlsorde-ly
cases, the Delaware Hospital managers
last night sent a communication TO City
Council, asking for an increase in their
appropriation. The letter from the
hospital managers was a surprise.
Council had expected a report from the
hospital OF the work done during the
past year. as Council last week held up
the hospital appropriation because the
report had not arrived.
Following the reading Of the commun-
icatlon last night, members Of Council
objected TO the communication. the
signatures TO it being typewritten and
81 was held that there was no proof
that it was genuine. As the letter had
been sent TO the Mayor and forwarded
10 Council by him, it was read and
ordered filed, but no further action was
taken. The letter from the hospital
management follows:
To the Honorable Mayor and Members
Of City Council.
IN view Of the fact that the Delaware
Hospital gave $4,000 OF free service
10 the city last year. for which they
received only $1,000 from City Coun-
eli, we feel that q different contract
should he made for the ensuing year.
10y which the hospital should receive
a sum more commensurate with the
service given.
The interest on our endOwments to-
gcther with the $1,000 which the city
gives us will support fifteen free beds
I'm our hospital. But our records show
that during the past year we have
borne the expense Of an average Of
lventy-seven free patients daily at a
rost Of over g per patient a day 20 us.
This is the reason why we desire a
larger appropriation, because the
amount Of free service we are giving
The city Overtaxes our resources, and
we are running in debt 90 the amount
or over $4,000 a year. Unless a suf-
licient appropriation is made 10 cover
the cost Of the city work, we feel that
after the flrst Of January we must fol-
low the example Of Johns Hopkins
Hospital in Baltimore and other hos
ptals, similarly situated and refuse TO
DO more work than we can finance.
I'VE wish TO call the attention Of
your honorable body TO the large num-
ber Of alcoholic disOrderly cases that
are sent TO this hospital which we are
not supposed 10 take charge OF, and In
he light Of recent events these cases
are more likely TO increase rather than
decrease. As our hospital stands prlmar-
ily for the care Of the sick and the
worthy poor we are writing 10 inform
you that It VIII not in the future be
able TO treat the alcoholic disorderly
rases. which the authorities Of the city
are In the habit Of sending TO our hos
pital, especially on Saturday nights
and we therefore ask you TO inform the
Police Commission and City Physician
mat such cases will not be treated.
Assuring you Of our willingness e
cooperate with you In the city worl
10 the extent Of our financial means
we beg TO remain on behalf of the
board OF trustees and managers.
Finance committee Of the board Of
trustees
Townsend W. Miller, Treas.
rilghman Johnston.
T. scott Townsend.
George 4. Elliott
Mrs. +. l.. Gilpin.
Mrs. w. q. Mendinhall.
Mrs. Charles r. Miller,
Committee Of the board Of managers"