The Washington herald., 1922-09-20

New York's City Department Of
Public Welfare. recently made an
impsssioned plea from WIZ for help
from the radio audience in giving
radio to patients IN New York hos
pitfalls. His speech. which was re-
produced in the Wireless Age, is in
part as follows:
My friends-I wish to speak to
you briefly tonight on the necessity
of providing radio equipment for
hospitals. and the possibility Of de-
velopment OF the radio as a part of
what will be conceded In a short
time to be necessary equipment for
all hospitals.
Pleads for Patients.
Many patients in our great pub
lie institutions today are not only
homeless. but friendless. Many during
long weeks or even months never
have a visitor, friendly handshake
or word of cheer except from their
new formed friends, the members OF
the hospital organization. Many in
their hours OF suffering have only
their own interpretive and retro
spective thoughts as constant Jobs
comforters; thoughts of what might
have been: thoughts Of a mis-spent
life; thoughts Of where to turn and
what to do when they shall be in
condition to leave the hospital
thoughts of the homeless who are
destined to lives of invalidism.
'As a man thinketh in his heart,
so is he." is as true a maxim today
as when first uttered.
Music has ever been, is now, and
Will ever be inspiring Inspiration
brings hope, and hope brings CO.
operation. 1t is wellknown fact
that a patients cooperation must
be gained to obtain the maximum
results from medical and surgical
treatment.
Radio Boon TO Many.
During the short period of time
which has elapsed since the incep-
tion OF the broadcasting radio sta
tions great strides have been made
through radio in eliminating much
of the mental distress Of those un-
fortunate victims OF disease and
injury who are now confined in our
great charitable institutions. This
new scientific achievement Of radio,
even in its present-day Development,
may be regarded as one of the
greatest boons to suffering human
ity.
The radio broadcasting stations
have brought the mountain to Mo-
hammed: the bedridden may now
enjoy the opera. the drama, the
lecture, the classic in music and
the ragtime. BY means of radio,
the artist. the actor. and the lee
turer are now presented at the very
bedside Of the helpless. The little
sufferer is now lulled to dreamland
and relief from pain by the calm
ing influence of lullabies and bed
time stories. In convalescent wards
where no patients are critically ill,
loud speakers may be used on re-
ceiving sets. In wards where a pa
tient is in serious condition and
where the slightest sound wouio
serve to initiate against the well
fare OF the patient, head sets bring
all the enjoyment OF the radio pro-
gram to the other patients of the
ward.
Set for Each Ward.
As Commissioner of the Depart
ment of Public Works. / have un-
der my jurisdiction nine great pub
lie hospitals with an aggregate bed
capacity representing accommoda-
tion for over 10000 patients. In
these institutions thirty beds would
be an average ward capacity, which
would represent about 333 wards in
the departme ntal institutions. It is
my desire to equip each and every
one of these wards with a complete
radio receiving set. loud speakers,
and at least twelve head sets. This
equipment will cost thousands of
dollars. This money cannot be pro-
cured from city funds, and must,
therefore. be obtained by private
subscription. am satisfied that
this money will be forthcoming. 7
know that among my listeners at
this very moment are many who
have spent long, tedious hours while
patients in hospitals. or when con-
fined to a sick bed at home, who
would have given anything for the
pleasant diversion, the forgetfulness
of self and malady which is now
made possible by radio.
Il know that there are others Of