Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-16

: not been for the help -efAeHe StHeesnof
Maine l do not know where VIE would
have been these last 10 years. Up to
the lasr session of the Legislature the
/! State of Maine gave US at each ses-
sion an appropriation, to every dollar
OF which we were entitled and which
! we got in four instruments of six
months each. And that appropriation
| was obtained by these gentlemen on
! the hca ard of directors going before
| the legislative committee and putting
! up the best argument they could as to
T, our needs.
| Once or twice out Of u appropri-
atoms we have had a surplus which we
| Rave applied to the reduction of the
! debt. We still have a debt and it has
gone UP a little in the past year.
What does the State do2 They give
| US no a fixed amount but a maximum
amount, against which we can present
bills for free service and obtain reim-
| bursement, provided that the ward
charge for service to a patients is
not less than cost, and this we must
| show. 1t is therefore simply reimburse
| ment for the work of the hospital at
| cost. and if it is less than cost we
can't get a cent.
I'VE did not run up against this
point until the first Of July when the
| change in law took effect. The maxi
mum appropriation was for the whole
year 1917 and for these first six months
we Rad charged less than cost. SO we
| could rot prove our case. What could
we DO? Other hospitals were in the
| same situation. so the State said 'for
49, H--s .;.x ,a1-{ho u-1 r,,1l ~ rly
! time, out from and after July | it must
be cost When the prices went UP II
was because Of q change in policy of
tie State of Maine. The vote Of the
board Of directors to increase was to
meet that policy.
rs this hospital more or less of a
rich mans hospital? No, it is not.
Ii is a poor mans hospital. In the last
seven years, for instance, for the first
five there were three free beds. and for
the next two there were four free beds.
How many free days Of treatment did the
hospital give? In 1910, rs days; 1912, 1920
days; 1913, 1146; 1914, $3.50; 1915, 3009; 1861.
1854. In seven years IL, $50 free days given
tc the People of this vicinity without cost.
Is it a rich mans hospital? No, it is the
poor mans hospital.
Some of us who can afford it may go
here or may go there if we want hospi-
tai treatment. But for many a man or
woman in this community it is a question
Of this hospital or none. / say thank God
1t is here
Mr.. Bassett closed with a reference to
the wonderful times in which We are liv-
ing. times which call out the best motives
and the noblest impulses in us.
We were called upon to sacrifice and to
contribute to many splendid causes. and
seeking to alleviate pain and distress, to
help our neighbor and our fellow men.
The habit of helping and Of generosity
grows with US. let us seek 70 follow
the example of the men and women of
England. France, Canada, who have so
nobly responded to every cali he said.
when that pencil point poises itself over
that hospital pledge card let it be pressed
down with generosity arh sympathy. We
shall all. as time goes on. feel the truth
Of the Masters words, 1t is more blessed
to give than to receive"