Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-18
Home for Women and Children

Home for Women and Children
Mrs. Mary Libbey of Portland, treas
urer for the temporary home for wo-
men and children, appeared for that in
stitution. She said that the institution
had given 14,129 days care during the
past year. at a cost of A cents day.
There has been an average Of SO In
mates for the year. She asked for $500
for each of the two years. 1917-191S,
which called forth from Senator Hig-
gins, chairman of the committee on
appropriations. the comment that this
institution was the Only one thus far
that had not asked for an increase.
Institution for the Blind
The interests of the Maine Institu-
ton for the Blind were represented by
it's superintendent. Millard ". Baldwin
An appropriation of $4,000 was asked
for each of the two years 1917-191S.
Mr.. Baldwin said that all of the money
expended for the institution, with the
exception of 5000, of the average
weekly payroll $3.50. which went for
city employees. was the only amount of
the appropriation which did not go df-
rectly for the blind.
The per capita cost Of the institution
was a little over IS week-about the
same as last year. The institution
could take care of more people. having
but SO at present when it could easily
accommodate so. The inmates are
taught broom making, discriminating
and other industries TO aid them in self
support.
Augusta General Hospital !.
The needs of the Augusta General
hospital were represented by the presi-
dent of the corporation. Hon. George E.
Macomber of Augusta. He explained
the two measures before the Legisla-
ture, asking for $4,000 for maintenance
for each of the two years 1917-191S and
S25 900 toward q new fireproof wing
conditioned upon the raising of a fund
of $4,000 for that purpose by the
friends of the hospital.
Mr.. Macomber said that there had
been a vast increase in charity cases in
this institution, 1862 days of free SER
vice having been given last year at a
per capita cost of $3.50 per day. There
have been 759 patients this year. from
every county in the State and from New
Brunswick.
Mr.. Macomber was questioned close
~ by Senator Higgins as to whether
all patients were taken as they came,
and whether all physicians were grant
ed the same privileges. He explained
that the hospital is open to all patients.
and that all graduate physicians are
allowed to bring their patients there.
The Chldren's Hospital
Franklin G. Payson of Portland. of
the executive committee of the board of
managers of the Childrens hospital, ap-
peared in behalf Of hat institution. He
contrasted the large sums granted for
the care of the insane and the feeble
minded with the $4,000 for the crippled
and deformed which went to the Chill
dren's hospital, which is the only insti-
tuition of it's kind in the State.
He said that this institution treats
free of charge when called upon every
crippled and deformed child in Maine.
and there are no private rooms for pa
TENTS. The past year 17,136 days
treatment had been given. of which H.
49S days were free and but 263S had
paid. Mr.. Payson objected to the pro
rata deduction from charitable institu-
tons for the expenses of the State
Board of Charities and Corrections,
amount to four and thirty-four hun
dredths per cent. of the appropriations,
and thought that there should either be
direct appropriation for the mainte-
nance of the board or that the other
State institutions coming under it's pro-
visions should be assessed for it's main
tenance along with The other State-aid-
ed charitable institutions. He praised
the work of Dr. Abbott and the other
surgeons upon the hospital staff, who /
are practically giving their services.
The institution asked $4,000, he said.
for maintenance for each of the years
1917-191S: $4,000 for each of these two
years on the debt of the institution. and
$4,000 in 1917 to make up an old deficit.
This was the last hearing of the aft
ernoon. and these matters will be con-
sidered in executive session.
Committee Chairmen Again