The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-10-11
C. o N T l N U E II
from page ons
Relief Costs Rise
In Burleigh County

! Because it IS the local taxpayers
sole contribution to relief, it is Just
as well to look at the medical ex-
penditures first. During July these
totalled $2,997.70. divided as follows:
doctor bills $l,824.59: nursing service,
including mid-wives, $l03.37: hospital
service $l,035.29; dental service $34.45.
Practically all OF the hospital serv-
ice was performed at one local hos
pital. It having granted a special rate
Of 81 20 q day.
Earlier In the year the cost was con-
siderably more. It may rise again II
the demand for medical services in
creases. The medical profession, how
ever, has established system to keep
the expenditures at the lowest DOS
sible figure. It has provided a scale
Of reduced rates, which are two-thirda
OF the usual charge for office or house
calls. with fixed minimums for surgical
service. A minor operation costs NOT
less than $25; major operation not
less than SIS.
System Undergoes Change
At me time during the year relief
clients could call their own docto,
and have the cost charged to the coun-
ty. but this proved too expensive. The
bills were excessive and a system was
adopted whereby anyone seeking free
medical service must first have ar
order from the relief office before lle
Is treated by physician or dentist.
Il I e doctor feels that immediate
attention Is necessary he Is privileged
to give It and send In his bill. II thu
case is of such nature that treatnlen:
can be deferred, nothing Is done un.
til 1t Is referred to a special medical
committee which meets every C,'da,
night to 60 over such matters. Tit
members are Drs. J. @. Arnson, r. b
Strauss and w. II. Bodenstab. TIL.
prospective patients are not seen b,
the committee but 1t IS barely possible
that further change may requlrl
their appearance.
Having thus accounted briefly 70
the county's $4,000, 1t is proper !,
look at the county federal relief Of
flee which probably has dispensed
more than $4,000 in relief durinl
the last year. It Is here that hard
pressed people get their grocery ord
ers, clothing and rent allowances. From
this office is directed the many wolk
relief projects which provide thu
needy with cash.
| Sitting In one Of the toughest ex
ecutlve assignments In the county i
Mrs. Clendenning, slim, grey-haire,
woman with one grown daughter,
relief worker in New York City, an,
one grown son. She formerly lived a
Wimbledon, N. D.. where her HUSBAND
was business man, and later wa
with q child-care agency in Mime
apolis.
Is Big Executive Job
Her training, she will tell you, wa
IN certain phase Of relief worb
but when the demand for relief work
ers grew acute she was catapulted int
what, on the basis Of the records, Prob
ably Is one Of the hardest relief spot
IN North Dakota. How tough It
will appear presently.
It Is q Job which requires executiy
ability as we'll as knowledge Of PEG
pie and Of relief problems. The FAC
that she is assigned to Burleigh coun
ty, where the state relief administra
ton has encountered lot Of troubl,
!, might fairly be interpreted as eyI
dence that she Is rated as star" b
. the state organization.
Assisting Mrs. Clendenning are thrs
rural social workers, two city soci.
workers and Il office employees. II,
social workers make out the work as
stgnments, which they deliver ,
clients. The rural workers are schec
uled to be at certain points in the
districts on stated days to confer wit
relief clients. On Saturdays all 4,