Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-25

, given il, after investigation. He also
! pointed out the increased cost of
/! conducting the hospital. stating that
the cost of coal the past year was
| about $4,000 as compared with $1,000
or $4,000 the year before. Medical
! supplies also showed corresponding
advances in prices, costing $1,000 as
! against $1,000 or in that vicinity the
previous year. The deficit last year
was over $4,000 and the purpose in
appearing before the committee, ne
as possible.
| III We We're running q business
| said Mr.. Talbot. I'VE could shut
| down and say We would wait until
/ price conditions were more favorable.
! But tie hospital has received money
Of the charitable people of Maine 20
?; keep things running AS trust. For
this reason We are asking the same
amount as granted by the last Leg
stature
Representative Holley Of Arson.
4 member OF the committee. asked
| about Wien investigating relative
to mans ability to pay. and if
able to pay what method was taken
to get him to pay That is. If he
is putting it over on you, SO to
speak," said Mr.. Holley.
Sue him if we have TO-" replied
DR.. Charles Smith. superintendent of
the hospital, who vas asked by NJ.
| Talbot to answer questions as to
| No.: - I,
this was not 4 common practice, but
that it was necessary to resort to the
courts i'll some instances. The mat
ter of efforts to get favors was also
looked up.
Senator Grant asked if the cpl
tlenic Of influenza had caused an in
crease in expense, and the reply Was
that il had
/, DR. Smith explained that the old
! nfirnary had been used for these
patients, many of whom were poor
people. these patients not coming in
contact with those in the main hos
pita! There were IA cared for III
! the old infirrnary since Sept. !, the
capacity Of l. patients being taxed
much of the time.
! Speaking Of income, DR.. Smith stat
ed that there had been an advance in
the price Of private rooms. which I'M
der ordinary conditions would have
added greatly to the income. but
| that as it the increase was $1,000.
Representative Rounds Of Port
land asked as TO the number of free
beds, and he replied that there were
about IS, he would estimate, these
being full most Of the time.
Grading Hospital Grounds
Representative Rounds appeared
before the committee 70 urge an ap-
preparation for grading the grounds
in the rear Of the hospital, all esti-
7, ME te Of $4,000 for this being submit
ted by him to the committee some
time ago, when estimates were first
put in.
we want the patients to have 4
+, chance to 80 out and enjoy GOO S
free air. and to give them 4 chance
] TO get we'll" said Mr.. Rounds. We
want an appropriation 50 that that
ash hear can be turned over and the
grounds made attractive. and the
! patients have chance to so out and
enjoy the fresh air. The smell of a
hospital is not inviting to man that
Is: getting Well"
Representative j. F. Warren of
Portland thought it advisable to
make the improvements. Mr.. Rounds
ard Mr. Warren thought about $4,000
would do the work
Trustee Talbot admitted it was the
first he had heard Of the plan and
! thought it would be improper for
the trustees to express any opinion.
Calais Hospital
| DR.. w. NJ. Miner appeared in behalf
of the Calais hospital. stating that it
asked for a larger appropriation than
that granted two years ago. $500 for
each Of the years 1917 and 1918. He
stated that it should receive $1,000
! for each of the next two years It is