The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-05-10
Members of Doctors Club and
Association Heads Discuss
Serious Situation !,
EFFORTS BEING MADE
TO CONTINUE HOSPITAL
Order Against Taking in New
Patients Leaves Bemidji
Without Hospital Aid ]

The hospital problem was aired
by the directors of the Civic and
Comerce association Tuesday noon
at which members of the Doctors
Club were present.
The seriousness of the situation
was brought home more forcibly
than at first imagined and in an
effort to find out a real reason for
the closing Of the institution a COM
mittee from the directors was NAM
cd to act with committee from
the doctors club toward securing
the continuing of the hospital until
such time as arrangements could be
! made to operate the hospital through
another association, if the present
order of Sisters could not be per-
suaded to continue.
The hospital is already refusing
to accet new patients, which leaves
Bemidji without hospital facilities
at the present time. The announce
ment made by the Sisters was to
the effect that it would close June
lst, leaving the impression that cas-
es would be cared for until that
time. Notice has now been issued
by them that positively no new cases
would be accepted.
Bemidji has been known and is
today one Of the best medical CEN
tiers in the northwest and according
to the medical profession, there would
be ample business for two such hos
pitfalls as this city has at the present
time.
That it would be a calamity to
leave Bemidji without hospital
was brought out at the discussion and
cases daily have been compelled to
go elsewhere, owing to the refusal
of the local institution to accept
new cases. 20
Rev. Joseph Fraling left for
Crookston Tuesday night and it is
understood, he will make an appeal
to have the hospital continued here
ii possible. 1t is quite impossible to
secure another organization on 50
short a notice, it was brought out,
and therefore tho present organiza-
ton of Sisters will be urged to ex-
tend the time until fall ii possible.
The St. Anthony hospitala it is
believed by the doctors, has been
a paying institution in years gone
by, as they have helped to support
other hospitals in this section OF the
state, according to reports given
out.
The committee appointed last
week to secure information with re-
gard to the present hospital situation
made the report that no condemna-
ton proceedings had been issued by
any of the state authorities as far
as could be learned. They did men,
ton the fact that is was understood
that the present boilers in the build
ing were in bad condition and that
perhaps these would have to be re-
placed.
New cases developing daily may
result in tAtaliticS OWING to- the
sudden decision to refuse patients,
which is considered by some citizens
generally as a most serious matter.
Some have gone so far as to express
themselves that action to compel
the institution to remain open be
taken, as it has in the past received
the support of this section of the
state and that the citizens are not
deserving Of such treatment.
Developments will be : awaited
with interest by the doctors as we'll
as the citizens, with the hope of
pcrsuading the present organization
to continue the work, which = has
been appreciated and manifested by
the generous support given the local
institution.