Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-15
ORGANIZATION
Volunteer Army of $50
Getting in Line
Hon. George z. Maeomber Leader Of
Campaign Executive Committee in
$4,000 Drive for Augusta General
Hospital Addition

Organization of the volunteer army
of $50 men and women who will strive
earnestly for a week to raise 10000
for the l emily needed addition to
the Augusta General hospital is 60
ing forward rapidly, it was announced
yesterday at headquarters for the
movement, in the Y. NJ. G. A build
ing.
A meeting of the campaign executive
committee now being formed under the
leadership Of Hon. George E. Macom-
Der, who has for years been an ac-
tive supporter of the institution. is to
be held next Monday afternoon, when
1t is expected new enlistment to the
volunteer corps that is to seek sub
scriptions will be made.
Cooperating as members of the ex-
ecutlve committee soon to be complet-
ed, besides Mr.. Macomber, are Judge
Fred f.. Beane of Hallowell Lewis A.
Burleigh, Mayor Willis E. Swift, Hen
ry E. Dunnack, Nathan Weston and
Samuel Stewart
In addition, members of the hospital
board, which includes many of the
clty's best known citizens, are actively
engaged in the preparatory work for
the big civic movement, for which a
brilliant success is predicted.
Among the earliest volunteers to the
ranks Of the subscription seeking
corps are members of the hospital
staff. Those who already have en-
rolled as workers are: DIR NJ. A.
Priest, Y. I. Lathbury, w. H. Harris,
G, r. Campbell, O. G. s. Davis, w. S.
Thompson, r. H. Stubs, r. l.. Nc
Kay, NJ. P. Hambleton. W. Scott Hill,
II. w. Hall of Halowell, C. f. Fl.
Beanie of Hallowell and A. H. Sturte-
want.
Indicating the urgency of larger hos
pital quarters, was the statement
, made Yesterday by member of the
| board that in the first six months Of
this year the hospital has admitted
twice as many patients as in any other
year. The overcrowding has been so
I marked, he said, that when there were
only 50 patients in the hospital it was
necessary to put extra beds in the
private rooms. Cots also frequently
had to he installed in the wards and
corridors
Inc extreme congestion was made
emphatic whenever an emergency case
was sent to the hospital, requiring
much reimbursement of the arrange
ment of the beds
Many Augustans. it was asserted at
the hospital, will recall the over
crowded conditions at the hospital last
winter and this spring when visitors
or patients awaiting admittance had
to stand in the hall because all other
available space was used for caring
for the i'll or injured.
The marked increase in the num-
Der of patients cared for at the hos
pltal this year is not due to a great
er prevalence of illness, the hospital
authorities pointed out, but apparent
~ IS the result of more persons are
seeking h, spital care.
Up to September first Of this wear
the hospital had admitted els patients.
In the same period last year. ass per-
sons became patients at the institu-
ton. This increase Of 100, or mora
than 20 per cent, is regarded as one
OF the most compelling reasons that
VIII urge Augustans to respond gem
erously to the appeal soon to be made
Tor funds to provide for the proper
care Of all persons in Augusta and its
vicinity who need hospital attention.
IF unusual demands for the care ~
several dozen injured were made on
the hospital it is said. 1t would he
a difficult problem to accommodate nj,
OF tnem' as even the normal demand
for space cannot be met.