Evening star., 1947-12-02
Members Told Losses
At ChiIdren's Hospital
Not 10 Cut Services

year and last, Thomas Bell Sweeney
first vice president, declared yester-
day at the annual meeting of the
members of the hospital.
Reading the report of President
Wilson B. Nairn. who was absent
Mr.. Sweeney said anticipated in
creases in aid from public health
and welfare agencies, the Commu-
nifty Chest, Congress and private
patients and donors makes the fu-
ture hopeful one, so far as reduc-
ing the deficit is concerned.
At the same time, Mr.. Sweeney
told the members that, although
only SIS, ,742 now is needed to fill the
81 300, 900 quota for new building
there Is no intention Of starting con-
until building conditions
change. Meanwhile, he said, the
money is well invested.
S138,504 Loss in 1916.
The presidents report declared
The hospital had a net operating
loss of s138,5O4 last year and $62,-
497 for the first six months of 1947.
The losses were attributed mainly
to increased salaries and cost OF
food and supplies. To meet the
the hospital had to use
funds held as permanent invest
ment."
Increased aid from the health
departments of the District and tn,
seven adjoining counties, from tn,
Community Chest, Group Hospital
ization, Inc, and infantile paraly
sis chapters, as well as funds re
ceived through the hospitals re
vived card appeals and revenue
from increased private patient rate
will help reduce the deficit, the re
port said. :
with such prospects ahead" tn
president reported, " We believ
it is to the public interest and t.
the interests of the charitable in
stituticn to use the money in ou
hands to keep this wonderful oil
institution a going concern unit
the income from the sources emu
will meet all necessary ex.
$161,976 in 1947 Bequests.
The report mentioned IL bequest!
received during 1947, totaling $751;,
976. 1t also pointed out the IS pei
cent tax deduction allowed for char.
ity gifts.
Other reports given were those ot
the president. the medical staff, the
hospital director and the board ol
lady managers.
DR.. Montgomery Blair, jr., direc.
tor of the hospital, reported thai
visits had increased l.
per cent, making a cash increase
in dispensary revenues of 30 per.
cent. He also announced three new
departments: public relations, head.
ed by Mrs. Peyton Dunn; volunteer
services, financed by the Junior
League and headed by Mrs. Annette
and private admissions.
DR.. Joseph S. Wall, chairman O
the medical staff, told of studies O
the effect Of streptomycin in tn,
treatment of intestinal disorders il
children, of rheumatic fever. which
now leads among the causes O
death among the young; infantil,
paralysis, and problems in tn,
psychological development of in.
fants and young children.
Tribute Paid Miss Gibson.
DR.. Wall paid special tribute tt
Miss Matte M. Gibson, who retiree
last year after rs years of service
as superintendent of the hospital.
The report of the. board of lady
managers was read by Mrs. A
Chambers Oliphant, who told o.
81 900 being raised from the sale o.
paintings by Rear Admiral c.. r
Train, 1884 received from tn,
Thrift Shop and an expenditure BY
the board of more than 5000 dur.
ing the year. Mrs. Oliphant told o,
the presentation of silver bowl tt
Miss Ashby Taylor, former director
of nursing, who resigned in October
after 81 years with the hospital
Mrs. William Chaplin Huntington
was praised for her work on the hos.
pitals publication, the Arrow"
The hospital members reelected
six members to the board of direc.
tors, whose terms had expired. They
are Mrs. Frederick H. Brooke, DR.
Edgar P. Copeland, Charles D
Drayton, Charles c. Glover, jr.
James H. Lemon and Robert 3
Swope. Robert Whitelaw Wilso,