The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-09-18
DR.. SMITH POINTS OUT
RILEY HOSPITAL PLAN;
MATHEWS IS SELECTED

Although the James Whitcomb Ri.
ley hospital for Children will be owned
oy me state of Indiana, following it's
CompIeuon, money for the erection OF
lne hospital, which is being built in
indianapolis must be raised by popu-
lar subscription in Richmond, Wayne
county and the entire state, DIR. Sam
uel 4. Smith, Of Richmond, a member
OF the state executive committee for
the hospital, pointed out today. The
campaign for funds will be held dur
ing Riley Week" Oct. 1 to Z.
Dr. Smith said today that he had
received information from the state
headquarters that construction work
on the first unit OF the hospital is we'll
under way and that plans are being
made for impressive ceremonies at
tendant to the laying of the corner
stone the latter part of this month.
Or. Smith said that friends of Riley,
who formed he James Whitcomb Riley
memorial association, planned the hos
pltal as a lasting memorial to the
Rooster poet long before the war, but
the war delayed their plans. In 1921
the task was renewed and the Indiana
legislature passed an act authorizing
the hospital and provided perpetual
annual support from the state. The
state also contributed $125,0O0 as a
nucleus of the building fund and will
provide a sum for the support of the
hospital after it is built.
First Unit Assured
Inc hospital when entirely COM
pieted will represent a total expendi-
ture of $4,000, 900 and the Riley Me-
TnnTIa1 1Ccnnf0+fny l-- -
TASK OF raising this sum. sufficient
pledges already having been received
10 make possible the construction of
the first unit of the hospital, which
viii cost approximately $500, 900.
A. G. Matthews, of Richmond has
been appointed a member of the state
wide representation committee for the
ceremonies in indianapolis, Saturday,
october Z, attendant to the laying of
Inc corner stone of the James Whit
comb Riley Hospital for Children, ac-
cordlng TO word received here today.
the corner stone ceremonies will
De part OF a general statewide OBJ
servance OF the anniversary of the
Dlrth OF James Whitcomb Riley on Oc-
tooer Z. An effort will be made by
the state representation committee, of
winch Mr.. Matthews is a member, to
Drlng about an attendance Of thou.
SANDS OF persons from all parts of the
state at the ceremonies. Gavin l..
fayne, Oh indianapolis, is chairman OF
the committee, and William Fortune,
OF indianapolis, who was an intimate
friend OF the famed Hoosier poet dur
ing the latter's life time, is chairman
IN charge of general ARRANGEMENTS.
Speakers of national reputation will
deliver addresses at the event.
Mccray Pays Tribute
Governor Warren T. McCray. in al
proclamation calling upon the people
OF the state generally to pay tribute to
the memory of the Hoosier poet on the
anniversary of his death, said in part:
His (Riley's) love for children and
MS intimate Interpretation of their
thoughts n actions was characters
TIC OF he nature of the man. II is
especially fitting hat his sympathetic
and beautiful traits of character should
be preserved in memory by linking
MS name with an institution which
VIII minister to the sick and HELPLESS
children. The James Whitcomb Riley
Hospital for Children is designed es-
peclally for the care of children whose
health will be restored and malforma-
tons corrected, where unfortunate
humanity will be made over enabling
them to start with a fair chance in
the race of life. 80 Let all Jndi
ana keep this date in remembrance
M render fitting tribute in honor of
TINS favorite son and the worthy cause
concentrating his love and devotion
to little children"
Urgent Need Shown.
The urgent need for a state institu.
ton of this kind is shown bv the fac1
that at the Robert w. Long hospital
IN Indianapolis, the only state insti-
tuition where poor children NAV be
treated without cost to them. there
are only u beds for children's cases.
and a constant waiting list running
into the hundreds. Some of these
children. although on the waiting
list, never return, it is pointed out
by hospital authorities. A recent sur
vey by the UnitedStates Public Health
service also revealed that there are
at least 10000 children in Indiana
seriously in need of medical or surgi-
cal attention.
Contributions to the hospital may
be made over the five year payment
plan, the first payment dated Dec. 81,
and payable in annual installments
ver that period. Many organizations
ihr0uOhouf the state hoyo ar mill roico