Evening journal., 1918-01-16
DELAWARE HOSPITAL REPORT
SHOWS 40 Per CENT INCREASE
in NUMBER OF FREE PATIENTS

we have been receiving for the past
year or two the sum Of s2,o0j under
our contract with The City Council. and
at the same time We have been paying
upwards of 5000 q year in water rates
back 20 the city. so that our net re-
ccinis from This s0'irce have been about
/ sl.i00. In return for lhis. We have
rendered 60 thc city free days service,
which has cost us upwards 0f $4,000.
Tn other words, We have rendered TO
The city. without cost. free days SER
vice. which has cost MS net something
over $1,000. With the present trc-
mend0us increase IN cost OF on the
necessary appointments. which are re-
quired 90 hospital. including food.
drugs. medicines and instruments as
we'll AS The Cost OF labor, has demon
stratcd that wc must do one OF two
ininEs. either run behind from year 90
year with the hope ihat some Kind
friend Will come forward with q do
nation sufficient to pun ms out OF our
trouble. or else frankly state our cause
% The people OF Wilmington and tell
them that. in the future, we viii not
be able t0 AFFORD. without charge, The
same accommodation TO the sick and
suffering OF our city that we have In
the past. We cannot blind our eyes
GO the issue. nor should we wish 90 do
SO. for the natural result would be that
We would tend 90 skimp IN order 90
save. and in an institution devoted GO
, the care of sick and suffering people,
This should, II possible. never De
, praclIccd.
4
budget for the coming year be- drawn
. up with great care, and that siill greater
care Doe taken by the board Of man
ayers in seeing 90 II that the opprupri-
atiOns for the several departments are
= not exceeded 10 VIII be interesting 10
YOU 90 know that our budget last year
so far as income was concerned, eX-
cceded our estimates; but we were not
able TO keep up with the rising cost
OF those things absolutely necessary iOI
the care OF our patients We ran stead
4 ilv behind. and would have closed tho
year 1917 with a delcit OF about si0OOl
for The years operation. had 10 moi
been that during Christmas week KIND
and LOYAL friend of our institution made
us a most handsome donation, which
, brings as over into the present yeai
with just about an even break for ihi
expenses Of operation for the year 1917
70 will not do; 30 viii not be fair In th'
future 70 rely upon the gracious bouni,
/ Of our friends, when 30 Is possible b,
: careful administration 10 make boii
Z ends meet
"Our many friends. both indivldual'
and corporations, have bestowed upoi
us generous cifis IN cash and kindness
: during the past year, for whicn, viii
: pleasure we express our thanks. li
Z the Levy Court and the City Council
= OF Wilmington we also express on
y thanks for the sums we hav
received from them: but. as ahov
!, stated. n we are 10 continue our admin
y istrations for the sick people OF the cit
\ and county. we must receive a grcaie
y income from these bodies. I am sur
u that the increase in the amounts sNt
u BY both the Levy Court and the Cli
~ Council would not be grudged ny Oh
u taxpayers. because thatv know that 10 q
times and 90 the best Of our ability. an
.- often beyond our means, we have rei
/, dered aid and assistance TO the sufferer
/. IN our community.
"a "The treasurer's report shows, IN ID
d tail. 10 whom we are indebted for on
Il many hlllrf uNA ANA ttArA ~itrff"
e heavy expenditures In the enlargement
Y Of portions Of our plant made neces
y sary 20 keep up with the heavy Durae
q Of the work imposed upon us. In I'M
p connection. the item Of household eA
q pen-e and laundry, amounting 10 owe
$4,000. is a fair indication Of the wor
J. accomplished In this regard. Alto
j. eeiher the year 1917. while not
e prosperous one 20 the Delaware, Hos
y pital from a financial point Of view, has
.r nevertheless, been q year Of accom-
n plishment 10 the objects for which ON
n institution was founded, a record o
i- which we an may well be proud. Thi:
y Of course comes from the co-operati0
VI Of an those who have TO do with Ia
" administration Of the affairs Of the In
D. sfitution from the highest 90 the low
j. est. and 90 them. and each OF them, on
I'd sincerest thanks arc due.
.o 1--WE cannot and must not shut ON
he ewes 20 the present situation confront
IS ing us as one Of the units necessary Q
the sanitary welfare of our city, stat
and Nation. and In the immediate futur
ii and until the war is' over. we must re
DO double our efforts IN making our mean
so Just as far as possible, which, @
-e course. means greater individual enol
j. and sacrifice Knowing the spirit OF O
l- those connected with war institution
4. 1 entertain no doubt That the year 1871
.O will close with a fattering record q
1f services performed by an who are cor
" nectcd with the Institution.
lg THOMAS F. BAYARD
President"