Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-02
Annual Report of Trus-.
tees of the State Hospitals

Our attention having. been called: to
the report and Recommendation of the
Board Af Charities and Corrections re-
gardns ths creation and appointment of
separate board Of trustees for the
Maine School for Feeble Minded we are
of the opinion that the business affairs.
OF the Augusta and Bangor hospitals
and the school for feeble minded can be
administered more satisfactorily and
economically BY the one board than by
two separate boards, as the three insti-
buttons are so very Similar in character
and service. and the problems of adj
ministration are Of kindred nature"
state the members of the board of hos
pital trustees. George M. Blake of Port
land, James w. Beck OF Augusta. Oliver
l.. Hall Of Bangor. William NJ. Osborn
of Pittsfield, Frances G.. Plaisted of Au-
gusta, Charles w. Clifford of Bath and
Howard L. Keyser Of Greene. which was
filed with the governor and council Mon
day.
The report says further:
THE trustees feel that both hospitals
have maintained and increased their
regulations for high standards and eff
plished by the harmonious work Of all
officers. nurses. attendants and en-
ployees in their various departments.
Every possible attention has been
given to the medical treatment of the
patients with the desire to relieve their
unfortunate condition and restore them
to relatives and friends and also to a
life of usefulness in the community,
and. as we are pleased to state, these
desires have been rewarded in many
cases. and we look ahead to the future
for still greater achievements in this re-
spect.
The superintendent, DR.. Frederick
L. Hills Of Bangor and DR.. Forrest c.
Tyson of Augusta, assisted by a staff of
energetic and faithful assistants, have
worked increasingly in the interest of
the hospitals. and of the inmates in
trusted to their care, and we feel as
sured that careful study of their in
dividual reports will prove this asser-
ton. and will also be very interesting
and instructive in relation to the medi-
cal cares and wants of the institutions
I'VE also commend for your careful
consideration the reports Of the treasur-
ers and stewards of both hospitals, and
will state that Samuel N. Tobey of Au-
gusta and William Thompson at Bangor
have each fulfilled all requirements by a
careful. economical expenditure of the
funds Of the State under very trying
market conditions as regards quality
and price"
Augusta State Hospital
The report speaks of the Augusta
State hospital in part
THE trustees are considering seri-
ously the matter of. water supply for
the hospital. Under the terms of an
old contract. made wears ago with the
Augusta Water Company, the annual
cost of water has been about $4,000.
This contract expired at the beginning
of this year and meters were installed
by the Augusta Water District and
water supplied at 1.-the regular rates as
approved by the public utilities COM
mission. but under these rates and con-
ditions the cost of water. has increased
greatly. and the trustees are endeavor-
ing to make changes and improvements
to reduce expenditures. Very many
conditions contribute to this cost, such
as old wasteful plumbing fixtures, e,e-
Nators and lifts operated by water, and
1t is our intention to correct these de-
fects by more modern appliances, which
Will result in a substantial reduction
in the amount used. With this matter
before us we are requesting a small
special appropriation from the legisla-
ture of 1917 for this purpose.
The legislature Of 1917 will be re-
quested to grant an appropriation for the
erection and equipment of new build
ing to be used for an inflrmary. and for
the reception of new patients.
I'VE believe all will readily recognize
the advantages and comfort that can be
given the sick. if they could be removed
from the wards, and be under the very