Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-12-18

Real civic pride was shown at city
hall last night when the Board OF
Aldermen in committee session
heard petitions of city boards and
associations in tho matter of ap-
propriations to carry on their work
during the coming year. While no
action was taken or promises made.
the aldermen were impressed with
the spirit shown by the taxpayers
and all concerned were confident
that much good would come as
result of the hearing at which
many phases of civic betterment
were aired.
The following matters were heard
by the board:
City Hospital appropriation.
Express delivery service in the
northwestern section of the city, adj
vauced by the Western Improve
ment Association.
Appropriation for Fairgrounds
and city plan.
Harbor Board, city dock repairs.
Sinking Fund Commission.
Development of parks.
Police matters plea for increase
in officers.
The first matter to be heard by
the aldermen was the appropriation
for the city hospital. A delegation
from the Mcclellan Engine compa-
ny, headed by Joseph NJ. Maloney,
appeared in opposition to the city
allowing any further money to the
hospital, giving as the reason that
the hospital has failed to function
as a city institution in that on three
occasions within the last three years
1t has been impossible to get an am
bulance in accident cases. Mr.. Ma
loney, as spokesman, brought up the
matter of the necessity of getting a
permit from one of the doctors OF
the hospital staff before the ambu-
lance would be sent out, he main
tanning that the ambulance should
answer all calls. He alleged that the
| city is not represented on the board
| of governors of the hospital. He
added that the city has never re-
ceived any dividends from the hos
pital and closed his initial argu-
ments by saying that 1--WE will take
action ourselves if something is not
DONE"
Sidney Riddlestorffer, president of
the city hospital association, In
| speaking for the institution, said that
he regretted the hostility shown. He
praised the work of the city firemen
and policemen and said his body
aimed to help them
| Mr.. Riddlestorffer said that three
years ago there was no automobile
ambulance at the hospital, a horse
drawn vehicle being in use. In the
recent case of the State street fire.
where a woman had to be taken to
! the hospital in a bakers truck, ow-
ing to the lack of an ambulance, Mr..
Riddlestorffer explained the ambu-
| 1a ha hrp n N
the garage for repairs. where there
was some delay in fixing 1t. AL
though two calls came to the hospi-
tai from the police, he said, the nurse
answering was not aware of the fact
that they were police calls. as Meth
er specified his call as such.
AS regards the need of permit
to secure admission to the hospital
Mr.. Riddlestorffer said, the previous
speaker was entirely wrong. Per-
sons are admitted during certain
hours daily, he said, and severe ac-
cident cases are admitted at any
time of day or night. He outlined
history of the hospital and said
contributions for its support were
made by the people.
A staff of thirty-seven members
includes the best medical profes
sional men in the city, he continued
and everyone is admitted regard
les of whether or not he can pay
No institution is free from criticism
the president said, and 1t has takel
thirty-two years to build up tn
present institution.
Mr.. Riddlestorffer told the alder
men that the annual appropriation
of $4,000 from the city was not Suf
flcient to be of much assistance ant
asked that 1t be increased to 5000
in 1921 A statement was read b,
him showing a deficit in the hospita
account. II was necessary. he said
to borrow $4,000 this year in orde
i to meet the bills.
George j. Haney, one of the boar
of governors of the hospital. declar
ed the hospital Is owned by the pub
lie in general. The running ex
penses of the hospital annually ar
$4,000, Mr.. Haney said, and of thi
very small part. $4,000, has com
from the city. He pointed out tn
need of more financial aid from tn
city and said that eminent surgeon
are secured in many poor case.
Conditions are becoming such at tn
hospital as the result of lack @
financial assistance, he said, that
is becoming struggle for existence
Citing the incident of the Stat
street fire when the ambulance wa
out of commission. he said. it Is pos
sible for fire engines to break dow
also. The mayor. Mr.. Haney said.
the city's representative on the Hos
pital Board of Governors.
A. Clayton Clark. the next speak