Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-19

Tho budget hearings were contln-
ned IN the afternoon In the Senate
chamber. a large crowd being present
throughout the session.
Somerset Hospital, Skowhegan
pr j. L. Wadsworth of Skowhegan
appeared In behalf of the Somerset
hospital of Skowhegan, which is ask
ing for an annual maintenance appro-
pration of $1,000 compared with $500
e Year for the last two years. Mr..
Wadswurth described the institution as
l5-bed hospital. the only hospital in
Somerset county. and handling all the
hospital cases in Somerset except
those in the Pittsfield section. He
told of the many ,rgcncy cases COM
Ing from the upper portion of the
county which could not go elsewhere.
II, Somerset hospital is an open hos
pi,al any reputable physician is allow
81 90 bring in patients and any re-
rutrblc surgeon may operate.
Tho amount OF charity work done by
the hospital for free patients in 1915.
10 said. was $1,000 and in 1916 $500
while the hospital was receiving ac-
tualy SAYS year from the state
That Is an Appropriation OF $500 minus
The percentage paid for III" support
u thu state Board OF Charities and
Corrections. II the charity work con-
tnUes To pour in as IT has in the past
DIR Wadsworth said, 1t is evident that
tn hospital cannot continue without
large appropriation. II has only been
able to continue because the sur
ge0ns' fees have been turned back for
maintenance. In state aid cases med
Teal and surgical attendance has been
given In reply to questions by mem
bcrs of the committee DIR. Wadsworth
slid the hospital was open 10 receive
c9u did receive all emergency cases.
With or without pay. He explained the
salary list OF $270l.70 as providing for
superintendent, n graduate nurse and
Xix student nurses in training.
In the year 1915 the Somerset hos
pital cared for an average daily num-
YER OF six patients at an average week.
~ expense per capita of Sl7.27. Its ex-
pemscs were s5099.29. it's income s3.-
ti7 Is and it's net loss, exclusive OF
- state appropriation. $1.542.l4.
Weber Hospital, Biddeford
EX Mayor Edwin Stone of Biddeford
appeared in favor of the resolve for
the Wchber Hospital Association OF
thddctord. The hospital asks for $4,000
'or each of the years 1917 and 1918
"r maintenance and $4,000 for each OF
ne next two years, to be applied In
no reduction of the mortgage debt and
t'OV for maintaining a district nurse
or each OF the years 1917 and 1918.
Harold J. Staples of Biddeford. the
treasurer OF the corporation. told the
"'Nernor and Council that the direct
HS an OF whom were residents OF
'Iddeiord and Saco, served without
pay During the year 1915 charity
"orh 70 the amount of $3706.97 was
4"he ana during the year 1915 char
~ 70 the amount of S3617.35 was
sven while during those two years
"' sum OF S775 was given in free
''atment by the district nurse. The
ailF average of patients was 16 dur.
ne the past year
Mr staples said that without the
"d Of the state the hospital would
ihNc been in debt and would have
'en obliged 20 eliminate the free
""rk. The district nurse is supplied
H nugh the training school. receiving
'' salaries. The original mortgage of
''Vpoo was reduced to $4,000 during
ne I.st year through a bequest.
Mr Staples also said that the Web
Ger hospital like all other institutions
u similar nature. lose money during
he course Of year.
Central Maine General Hospital
William ID. Penneli of Lewiston, who
las for 20 years been president Of the
hospital spoke n good word for that
Institution. saying IL Is one OF the
most worthy in the State and he would