Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-18
BUSINESS WEEK
To Complete Raising of
$4,000 Fund
Plans Begin to Crystalixe for Raising
Sum Required for Three. Story Brick
Addition to Augusta General Hospi-
tai

Plans for the $4,000 Augusta Cen
eral hospital campaign. which prom
ises to be the most memorable public
movement in the history Of the city.
began to crystalize yesterday when
members of the executive committee
for the movement attended its first
general meeting.
Hon. George E. Macomber, executive
chairman of the movement, presided.
Besides members Of the hospital board.
who are to be active in the institu-
tons first appeal after 10 years Of
service to the city, Samuel Stewart,
Lewis A. Burleigh, Henry E. Dun
mack and Nathan Weston were pres
emit.
The fund is to be used for the con-
struction Of 9 three story brick addi-
ton to relieve severe overcrowding
and make it possible for the institu-
ton to take care of every person ap-
plying for treatment. For more than
a year it has been impossible to ad-
NIT all who sought treatment, because
Of lack of bed space.
Some surprise is manifested by citi-
zens of Augusta on first learning the
telephone call of hospital campaign
headquarters in the Y. M. c. A. This
call is: Augusta $4,000. It was obtain
ed by Cornelius NJ. Smith. director OF
the campaign. to assist in fixing in the
public mind the fact that $4,000 Is the
amount sought to enable the city to
care effectively for its physically
weakened and injured who REQUIRE
hospital treatment.
The method to be used In raising the
fund to increase the efficiency of the
hospital is known as the short-term
campaign. Only a business week will
be devoted to the work. This method
has been used in the last IL wears 10
obtain almost 800, 10000 for various
philanthropies in the United States
and Canada. The directors of the Au-
gusta General hospital regard the plan
as the most effective and at the same
time most dignified way to obtain q
| large amount quickly. It's effective
ness has been tested in many parts Of
the county and the system has prov
ca to be exceptionally successful in
the case Of hospitals.
Officers Of both large ana small hos
pitfalls throughout the United States
nave tried the short term campaign
ahd express complete satisfaction
with the results" said Mr.. Smith in
commenting on money-raising nova
ments conducted BY his organization.
IN cities the size of Newport. XIV.
where We recently raised $50 600 for a
hospital added Mr. Smith. "as we'll
as In larger communities like Nash.
vine. Tenn. where in a campaign for
s2oo,ooo, we raised $4,000. the method
mas been equally effective"
There is to be no house-to-honsa
canvass, no taking of collections at
mass meetings. no tagging Of passArs-
oy IN the streets. nor will girls be sent
70 once buildings to seek contribu-
tlons from door to door, Mr.. Smith
continued. Every move is blocked ont
IN advance. So far as human fora
sleht can go, nothing is left to chancn
II Is the application Of big business
to philanthropy" is the terse vav tho
director Of the local campaign char
acterizes his method.
IN campaign ended few weeks
ago to provide 100000 for increased ia
cilities for the city hospital of Perth
Amboy, y. J.. Mr.. Smith related. $40
ooo was subscribed, in spite of the fact
Red Cross campaign was conducted
IN that city during part Of the time
workers Tor the hospital were seeking
pledges.