The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-12
HOSPITAL MAKES APPEAL FOR AID TO MEET DEFICIT Amount Asked of Each Sub scriber Is to Be $1OO a
 Year. TRYING OUT NEW
 FINANCIAL SCHEME Not Campaign But Effort to Interest Citizens in
 Institution.

The Bridgeport hospital appeals to the residents of the city requesting that ell who are so inclined subscribe to fund to be used to meet the de- fIcit which is incurred each year in the operation of the hospital.
 The amount asked of each sub scriber Is s1OO a year If the total amount of the fund exceeds the total deficit the subscriber will be asked to pay the only a pro rata of his subscription that year.
 The plan Jhile it had its origin in another city is new in this sec ton and offers an opportunity for giving which is systematic and holds ones interest. Today the Committee sent out a letter to hundreds of peo- pie whose interest in aiding their less fortunate fellow beings has been demonstrated in the liberal giving to war causes during the last two years.
 The proposition put out by the Hospital is not in any sense fin the nature of a campaign. It Is an effort to interest the people of Bridgeport in the service given to the communi- ty by the hospital and to know what the service means. It is a we1l-known fact that practically every hospital operates with a deficit. This is due to the very nature Of the service It. self
 The doors of the institution when once opened are never closed and medical and surgical treatments are extended to all who need it. The rates for general ward cases, If bas- ed on the actual cost of care, would be prohibitive to many who need it most. Many are unable to pay even this amount. In cases where the pa tient Is poor and unable to buy any thing. and is a charge against the city or state, the income Is about one-third of the cost of such care
 It is to make the deficit thus ere ated that the Hospital Corporation is introducing the Guarantors' Fund. Subscribers of this fund will agree to place at the disposal of the Hos pital, one hundred dollars per year. If the fund exceeds the deficit, the amount charged against the sub scription will be pro-rated according ly.
 In speaking of the matter this morning Dr. Charles c. Godfrey, President of the Hospital. stated: Everybody is interested in a hospi tai. At some time or other a friend or a relative has had occasion to re- ceive its services and interest in the institution is tied In through actual contact with the hospital and Its work.
 Many people who are not ip a pos ition to make large bequests have from time to time expressed their desire to aid the Hospital in it's work. The Guarantor's Fund will create a channel through which this interest can make itself active.
 We feel that there are g. great many ra to set aside the sum of one hundred dollars from their budget of living each year to be used by the Hospi- tal or so much of that sum as is needed to conduct the institution in an up-to-date manner and yet pay its expenses.
 "we have today sent out letters to list of such peopre but there are many others unknown to the active management of the Hospital whom we feel would be very glad to be represented in the work and whose subscription would be gratefully re- ceived."
 '-T'he directorate of the Hospital contains the names of some of the most progressive men in the communi- ty, any one of whom would be glad | to explain the fund and provide pro- per blanks for subscription. During 1 the past few years the Bridgeport Hospital has built extensively in an- ticipation of the growing needs of | Bridgeport and 1t has been obliged | to do this in face of the fact that
 the greater number 1t served, the
 harder it's problem became. Notwith' | standing this, 1t is operated on the | lines of the highest standards of hos | pital work and in equipment and ser | vice ranks with the leading inst1tu- | tions in New England"