Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-19
Brewster Urges Halt
in Manifest Abuse of
State Contingent Fund
DOCTOR TRIO WOULD
FORBID ALL STATE
AID TO HOSPITALS

Frankness was the watchword al
appropriations and finance, Wednes.
day afternoon. DR.. w. N. Miner anC
DR.. J. A. Mcdonald of Calais and DIR
+. w. Mitchell Of Houlton were de.
cidedly frank in their discussion OF
the needs Of hospitals asking State
aid. Senator Hinckley, appearing In
favor of his bill to change the per-
sonnet of the budget committee was
even more candid.
The three physicians named
though they spoke in favor of GER
tain resolves for hospital aid, told
the committee that all the hospitals
would be better off if State aid were
denied them. Thoe patients who car
pay. they said, pay for those who
the hospitals would wipe out deficits
and also would DO away with appn-
cations for charity treatment by
many persons able to pay.
DR.. Mitchell, who is examiner fol
the Maine and American Medical So
cietieS and reports on all hospitals
called attention to the bill. prepared
by him and introduced "Wednesday
by Rep. Eustis of Strong. which, he
estimated, would save the State from
$4,000 to 100000 annually. DR.. Min
er. who was examiner prior to DIR
Mitchell, estimated that IS per cent
of all physicians in the State believ-
ed that State aid should be cut off
whether or not they are members OF
hospital staffs.
1t was also suggested to the COM
mittee that it would be q good idea
for some department Of the State to
employ man who should look into
the status Of patients and prospec-
tive patients Of all State charitable
institutions.
Act to Change Budget Personnel
Senator Hinckley of Cumberland
appeared in favor Of the bill tc
change the personnel Of the budget
committee, introduced by him. He
said he was prompted to draft the
act because the budget committee as
now constituted was not in position
to be vitality interested in the budget
and to carry through its recommen-
dations.
ut is useless to appoint the re-
firing Governor and the two legisla-
tive members of the budget commit
tee" said Sen. Hinckley. whose bill
substitutes the Governor-elect fol
the Governor: adds the State Audi
tor elect, and substitutes the rank
ing members of the finance commit
tee from Senate and House..
Sen. Hinckley called attention to
what would happen in the case OF q
change in the political complexion
of an administration.
1.-THE present budget is as insin-
cere as an report ever prepared.
said Sen. Hinckley. This budget Is
drawn so that somebody can say
when this Legislature ad]ourns ina!
'had the Governor of Maine followed
my recommendation the state
would have saved sl,5Oo,00o, when
the members of the committee knew
the amount would be spent"
"Would you have signed the re-
port?" asked Sen. Wadsworth.
81 would not" said Sen. Hinckley
81 am not a rubber stamp.
Consider putting Gov. Curtis or
with Gov. Milliken." said Sen. Hinck'
ley. discussing the possible memoer-
shin of both the retiring Governor
and the Governor elect on the com
mittee. "There would have beer
trouble right off. The Legislature
will never amount to anything as
long as the retiring Governor is the
dominating figure
Sen. wadsworth said that twe
wears ago he proposed to introduce
a bill to provide that the Governor
elect would sit with the budget COM
mittee. but was advised that as
mater of courtesy he was usually IN
vited to do this.