Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-02-13
LEGISLATURE ASKED
TO INCREASE PAY
Survey Shows Salaries Of Employees Of
0hiO's State Hospitals Below Those
Of Other Leading States


mas been recommended unanimously
by every state agency which is direct
ly connected with the institutions
Managing officers themselves early in
December, after considering the cause
gave their support to the movement
and John E. Harper welfare director
has for two years made such a recon-
mendation. In his message to the gen.
eral assembly Governor Vic Donahey
added his approval for increases for
all state institutional employees to be.
gin with the first of the next fiscal
year or July /.
Ohio's institutions for these mental
ly and physically defective have been
developed during recent years to a
very high state of perfection, and
nothing has been left undone by those
responsible for the keeping of these
wards that would add to the percent
age OF cures, or the comfort and safety
OF those who are compelled to remain
in state institutions.
In many of these hospitals are en-
ployes who have been looking after
the detectives for many years, but the
percentage is not nearly so large as it
was because Of the low pay. They
have secured outside employment and
services of number of valuable ply
sicians, attendants, nurses and others
whose expert services are such as to
be constantly required, have been lost
to the state. And for no other reason
than the low pay. Pay of all institu-
tional workers is fixed oy legislative
appropriation and it is the hope of all
institutional workers that the present
general assembly, fully mindful of the
arduous duties, day in and day out,
with the responsibilities which rest
upon every state employe, will grant
the increased pay request
The managing officers in resolution
declared that it was impossible to give
patients, committed to them, satis-
factory medical examinations. the
proper amount of therapeutic treat
ment, including occupational therapy,
recreational and efficient nursing care.
because Of the lack of personnel and
AhHuSduoIC odldllSS VI OlllC6TS ana en-
ployes.
survey, carefully prepared shows
that the salaries of officers and en-
ployes in these hospitals in Ohio is
much less than in state hospitals In
the recognized leading states in the
treatment and care of mental patients
such as Illinois, New York, Massa-
chusetts, Michigan and other states.
The object now is to have an adjust
ment made of salaries for all institu.
tlonal officers and employees which will
place them on par for like positions
with other states, and that the person.
mel be made adequate as we'll enable
the Ohio state hospitals to function
along with the most approved scien.
tif1c methods of modern medicine.
Ohio has no provision for pensions
In the days which are sure to come
for these employees, who after giving
their best, find themselves without
either position or funds. On the pres.
ent scale OF pay which for attendants
is only from $50 to $50 per month it Is
impossible for them to lay anything
aside for their old days But with the
slight increase now recommended for
every state hospital officer and en-
ploye, they would get pay nearer equal
to what they could earn on the out.
side.
The shortage Of assistant physicians
and other medical and surgical grad.
yates is acute in every state hospital
today. And 1t will be that way until
adequate pay is provided. The salary
schedule in Ohio for assistant ply
sicians, who must be regular medicaI
college graduates is only $500 with a
slight annual increase. Other states
pay as much as $1,000 and full main.
tenance for these same assistants:
more than twice the salary the state
OF Ohio gives to those who must look
after it's afflicted populace. AS a re-
suit OF this small pay, doctors are not
entering hospital work, where the ex-
perience would prove OF untold value
in later life, but are going from the
class room to the practice of their pro-
fession, because after so many years
preparing themselves to make a living
they cannot afford to work for Ohios
low wage scale in hospitals where they
are needed 80 badly.
Ohio is we'll equipped with build
ings, and the latest scientific equip
ment for the treatment of it's unfor-
tunate wards. But the staff Of medical
and surgical experts Is not sufficient
to cope with the rapidly expanding
work, and will not be until better pay
Is offered those whose services are 80
badly required.
Managing officers, the welfare de.
partment and finally Ohio's chief ex.
ecutive have come to a realization OF
the existing condition, and all have
Joined in giving their approval to the
plan for slight Increases in the pay of
all institutional workers. Everyone,
everywhere, interested in the welfare
and treatment OF it's state wards,
should lend their encouragement by
suggestion to their representative or
senator to vote for such increases in
the salary of these employees so that
Ohio will rank along with other states
and its hospital personnel will be
the very best.
Demanding the union label, shop
card and button is a duty which we