Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-31

That the cost Of caring for the poor
Of Cascade county will be exorbitant
as long as the various institutions sup
ported for the purpose are not cen
tralized, was the statement made by
DIR. G, A. Fuson. city and county
health officer, who submitted to the
county commissioners Saturday his
findings on an investigation of county
expenditures for the support Of the
poor farm, the detention hospital and
for the treatment of patients at the
D%Haconess and Columbus hospitals, for
the last year.
A total of $8O,243.31 was expended
for the year ending November /, 1922,
tie report shows. Because Of in
adequate accommodations in the proper
institutions it is unavoidable. that at
tie present time there are in the hos
pitfalls 50 patients Of whom but two or
three can benefit from medical care,
the report states. The fact that it was
necessary to care for these patients
IN the hospitals resulted in a county
expense of approximately $4,000, it is
cited. BY caring for county poor out
EIDE the poor farm. expenses have been
increased in the matter of overhead
such as light, fuel and food, but this
expense will continue as long as there
is lack of Capitalization in supporting
the poor, is stated.
In investigating conditions at the
county poor farm DR.. Fuson found a
lack of facilities. which enforce the
present system of caring for the needy
Of the county. Added accommodations
there would, he believes. cut the cost
IF caring for them in half as he states
in the report the cost of caring for
an inmate at the county poor farm Is
50 to IS cents while in other outside
institutions it is S1.50 q day approx
n ating an annual expenditure Of
S17,520.
Enlarge Farm
In concluding the report DR.. Fuson
states that the county poor farm should
J." enlarged and a system adopted
which would make it self supporting.
The report follows:
"In submitting this report of an in
vestigation into the expenditures of
county funds for the care of the poor.
I wish to say that the work was under
taken along with other rather urgent
duties, and whatever is wanting In the
matter of following up details is due
to lack of time necessary for the pur-
pose. Sufficient ground has been gone
ever, however, upon which fairly ac-
curate findings may be based, and
which, it is hoped. will lend some aid
In handling these same problems in the
future.
This report is based upon data as
follows:
Il. A general report from the
county auditors office for the year
Gliding November l., 1922.
go A detailed report from the
srme source for the month of Novem-
Der. 1922.
80 A visit to and inspection of
the county poor farm. together with
Il physical examination of the inmates.
81. A physical investigation and
financial investigation of all county
patients in both the Deaconess and
Columbus hospitals IN December 5
to 8, 1922.
%. Visits to homes where county
aid was given during the month of
November. 1922.
''G. A list of all county patients to-
gether with a diagnosis Of their illness.
cared for in both hospitals during the
year ending November. 1922.
Summary
"a summary of the auditors gem
eral report for the year ending No
yrmber /. 1892, as follows:
No. Of
Place People Amount
Columbus hospital ..... 1872 S16,50T. 05
Deaconess hospital 49,. 11S 8,7e6.47
Poor outside Of institu-
lions ..........t..... 1885 Io,coo.oo
Dental treatment ....... q 340.5 so
County poor farm....... 255 5,76T.00
Burial of poo .......... 1.1b4.00
GaIen T. b. sanitarium 1900 SO
Mothers pensions ..... 13.340.0o
Salaries. etc. ........... 2.345.00
Tonsillectomys .......... "A 1886
Laboratory work ....... 3s ss7.00
Miscellaneous Expense
salary Of county ply
stefan ...... .......... 777.So