USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1940 > Part 13
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155
ANNUAL REPORT
Administration
During the past year the allocation of Federal Funds has been done quite arbitrarily while this year the Board intends to allocate same on a more exact basis. For example, our Salary account ran over twice as much as the other expenses. Therefore, we are allocating threc-fourths of the Federal contributions to Salaries and one-fourth to Administration and we are not asking for Com- missary Transportation. This we believe is a much more equitable basis for the handling of Federal Administration Funds. We have during the past year rehabilitated our filing system with new heavy cardboard folders and an index system for each folder, which we believe facilitates the recording and filing of papers to the advantage of the local, state and Federal officials and investigators. During the entire year, the Department has had the use of a Willys Sedan which has been operated at a considerable saving to the City.
City Infirmary
In 1939 the Board realized a considerable saving to the City in the operation of the City Infirmary and have during the past year continueu to operate the Infirmary on the same economical basis. Early in the year we purchased a cow which has cut down our milk expense and also for the first time in some years we have done some farming and intend to widen this program by additional planting and the purchase of chickens. We have also completely renovated the electric wiring system under the supervision of the City Wiring Inspector which has eliminated to some extent a fire hazard which has existed at the City Infirmarv for some years. For the second year in succession the spring went dry and we deemed it advisable to install an electric pump to take care of the water supply. This permanently solves the water problem.
Aid to Dependent Children
This branch of relief remains about the same -- whatever increases occur are generally offset by families dropped from this form of relief.
Old Age Assistance has increased about ten per cent over last year whereas the Outside Relief category has dropped off only slightly. The big drop in the Department over last year appeared in the Attleboro Work Relief program from which most of the employables have received aid and have subsequently secured employment in private industry. In all classes of relief we have put all recipients on the same standard applicable to that particular form.
If possible the Board would recommend the adoption of the Food Stamp Plan in the procurement of surplus food commodities which has proved very successful in other cities and towns where it is now in operation.
Case load on Outside Relief, month by month during the last Three years:
1938
1939
1940
January .
293
240
164
February
326
272
176
March
301
263
171
April
263
260
164
May
280
219
153
June
291
167
151
July .
296
165
156
August
295
156
146
September
227
139
137
October.
214
138
135
November
203
131
122
December
218
142
118
156
ANNUAL REPORT
In the later part of 1939 and the entire year of 1940 the work relief program is not included in the above figures. Better business conditions and the re- quirements of work for those able has resulted in the case load being lower than in previous years. The Board earnestly feels that the Attleboro Work Relief Program has substantially reduced the case load and has caused many to seek private employment at a saving to this Department and by all means should be con- tinued.
The Board appreciated the wholehearted cooperation given by His Honor, the Mayor, the City Council, and all other City Departments throughout the entire year which has made it possible to provide sufficiently for the needs of every case during the entire year at substantially less cost to the City of Attleboro. A detailed statement of receipts and expenditures for the entire year for this Department is sttached.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Public Welfare John B. Stenberg, Chairman Norman J. Stone Paul H. Weiss
1940 FINANCIAL REPORT
Salaries-Almoner, 3 Clerks, 2 Visitors $ 7,418.33
Administration-Other Expenses. 1,618.00
City Infirmary 6,595.00
Aid to Dependent Children
30,147.00
Outside Relief 71,729.70
Old Age Assistance. 98,090.50
W. P. A. Sewing Project
4,139.00
Total Appropriation.
219,737.53
Total Expenditures. 216,049.59
Unexpended Balance
$ 3,687.94
Total Expenses for Administration-Salaries. 7,418.33
Total Expenses for Administration-Other Expenses . 1,616.69
Total Expenses for City Infirmary-Salaries. . 1,400.00
Total Expenses for City Infirmary-Other Expenses. . 5,193.07
Total Expenses for Aid to Dependent Children
29,450.53
Total Expenses for Outside Relief . 69,460.99
Total Expenses for Old Age Assistance. 97,910.80
Total Expenses for W. P. A. Sewing Project.
3,599.18
Total Expenses for 1940
$216,049.59
157
ANNUAL REPORT
DETAIL OF APPROPRIATIONS
Administration-Salaries
Almoner
$ 1,800.00
Chief Clerk
1,300.00
2nd Clerk
1,046.33
3rd Clerk
936.00
Visitor, 1st.
1,400.00
Visitor, 2nd
936.00
Total Appropriation.
7,418.33
Total Expenditures.
7,418.33
Balance
.00
Administration-Other Expenses
Appropriation
$ 1,618.00
Expenditures . 1,616.69
Balance
$
1.31
Administration Account Chapter 58
Appropriation
$ 369.37
Expenditures
169.12
Balance
200.25
Federal Old Age Assistance Administration Account
Balance, Jan. 1, 1940.
142.33
Federal checks received in 1940
2,785.75
Total Appropriation
2,928.08
Expenditures .
2,614.25
Balance
313.83
. Federal Aid to Dependent Children Administration Account
Balance Jan. 1, 1940.
89.36
Federal Checks received in 1940.
637.19
Refunds. .
.54
Total Appropriation
727.09
Total Expenditures.
726.29
Balance .80
City Infirmary
Appropriation
$ 5,090.00
Refunds.
105.00
Total Appropriation.
5,195.00
Total Expenditures.
5,193.07
Balance 1.93
158
ANNUAL REPORT
City Infirmary, Account Chapter 58
Appropriation 527.78
Expenditures . 490.60
Balance 37.18
Aid to Dependent Children Account
Appropriation 36,000.00 3,774.00
Transferred to Public Works Dept ..
Mayor's Dept., City Messenger Dept.,
City Forester Dept., City Clerk Dept., and Police Dept. on April 16, 1940
32,226.00
Transferred to Public Works and City Collector's
Dept. on April 22, 1940. 2,225.00
30,001.00
Refunds
146.00
Total Appropriation
30,147.00
Total Expenditures.
29,450.53
Balance
696.47
Federal Aid to Dependent Children Grant
Balance Jan. 1, 1940.
2,800.67
Federal checks received in 1940.
11,171.58
Refunds. . 31.00
Total appropriation
14,003.25
Total expenditures
10,105.60
Balance 3,897.65
Outside Relief Account
Appropriation
71,000.00
Refunds .
729.70
Total Appropriation
71,729.70
Total Expenditures.
69,460.99
Balance
2,268.71
Outside Relief Account, Chapter 58
Appropriation .
1,909.46
Expenditures-1939 bills 757.13
Balance 1,152.33
159
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance Account
Appropriation . $103,000.00 3,000.00
Transferred to Public Works Dept. April 16, 1940 .
100,000.00
Transferred to Public Works Dept. Nov. 5, 1940
2,500.00
Refunds.
590.50
Total Appropriation
98,090.50
Total Expenditures
97,910.80
Balance.
179.70
Federal Old Age Assistance Grant
Balance Jan. 1, 1940
3,847.24
Federal checks received in 1940.
82,839.88
Refunds .
995.07
Total Appropriation 87,682.19
Total Expenditures.
60,267.73
Balance
27,414.46
W. P. A. Sewing Project
Appropriation .
4,389.00
Transferred to Elections and Registration Expenses Account Dec. 3, 1940.
250.00
Total Appropriation 4,139.00
Total Expenditures.
3,599.18
Balance.
539.82
Administration-Other Expenses
Transportation, Outside Relief.
1,568.01
Maint. and Operation of City Car 48.68
Total Expended 1,616.69
Administration Account Chapter 58
Office Supplies. 169.12
169.12
Federal Old Age Assistance Administration Account
Salaries
850.75
Office Supplies.
1,151.73
Transportation
508.86
Phone .
95.94
Maint. and Operation of City Car.
6.97
Total Expended 2,614.25
97,500.00
160
ANNUAL REPORT
Federal Aid to Dependent Children Administration
Phone
86.14
Office Supplies
353.42
Transportation.
286.73
Total Expended 726.29
City Infirmary-Other Expenses
Medical.
69.52
Food Supplies
3,585.21
Clothing
403.47
Fuel.
191.03
Light.
142.96
Phone
45.24
Other House Maint. and Operation.
489.33
Hay and Grain
57.67
Cow.
119.00
Seed, Fertilizer and Equipment.
43.05
Outbuildings, Maint. and Operation
46.59
Total Expended
5,193.07
City Infirmary Chapter 58
Other House Maint. and Operation
490.60
490.60
Outside Relief Account
Weekly Cash
38,313.50
Rent, Board and Care
14,327.13
Clothing
2,402.75
Fuel.
1,943.90
Medical
6,198.09
Towns, Cities and Institutions
5,875.62
Burials .
400.00
Total Expended. 69,460.99
Outside Relief Account, Chapter 58
Rent, Board and Care
467.33
Clothing
34.81
Fuel.
48.00
Medical.
206.99
Total Expended 757.13
161
ANNUAL REPORT
W. P. A. Sewing Project
Rent .
540.00
Rental of Electric Sewing Machines
118.50
Repairs on Sewing Machines
71.04
Cost of Material
2,474.00
Supplies and Equipment
164.59
Light and Power.
91.05
Purchase of Sewing Machines
140.00
Total Expended
3,599.18
BILLS RECEIVABLE
Committed 1940
Cities and Towns
5,829.24
State
93,841.59
99,670.83
Collected 1940
Cities and Towns
4,646.96
State
90,850.78
95,497.74
Additional Receipts from State and Cities and Towns for Bills Com- mitted in Previous Years $ 4,414.07
Total Number of Cases in 1940 755 Individuals 2395
CAUSES OF DEPENDENCY
Unemployment
75
Insufficient Income.
86
Chronic Illness. . . 68
Desertion, non-support.
22
Widows.
37
Old Age
467
755
162
ANNUAL REPORT
Francis P. Cronan Chairman-Board of Licenses
Albert W. Evans Member Board of Licenses
Frank MacDonald Member Board of Licenses
Board of License Commissioners
January 6, 1941
Mayor John W. McIntyre, City Hall,
Attleboro, Massachusetts,
Dear Mr. McIntyre:
Enclosed is a copy of the report sent to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission of the total revenue received by the City of Attleboro for the licenses issued for the year 1940.
Very truly yours,
Frank P. Cronan,
Chairman
January 1, 1941
City of Attleboro, Massachusetts
Total Revenue Received for the Year 1940 $11,360.00
Total Number of Licenses Issued for the Year 1940. .28
Individual License Fee for Each Individual Class as follows: ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:
Innholder. $505.00 each
Class A-Restaurant. 500.00 each
Class B-Restaurant. 450.00 each
Tavern. 300.00 each
Package Goods. 450.00 each
Fraternal Clubs 250.00 each
All Other Clubs. 500.00 each
WINES AND MALT BEVERAGES-
Innholder
Restaurant.
$300.00 each
Package Goods 200.00 each
FEE FOR SEASONAL LICENSES- -
Club $100.00 each
32 Special One-Day Licenses. 385.00 total
(Signed) Frank P. Cronan, Chairman.
163
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the City Solicitor
Henri G. Proulx City Solicitor
To the Mayor and Municipal Council of the City of Attleboro:
After almost eight years of continuous service as City Solicitor, the in- cumbent acknowledges the cooperative spirit existing among the various depart- ments of the City and wishes to thank them for their help and consideration.
Again in 1940 numerous consultations and opinions were rendered the several City departments and much time and effort was devoted in trying to simplify and standardize the manner of counting and tabulating ballots at the various elections. Meetings were held prior to each elective session at which the election officers were given information concerning the ballot to be used, and the results were most pleasing.
The City Manual, last published in 1939, was brought up to date and will be ready for use shortly after the first of the year. The Manual can now be used more quickly and more efficiently due to an index which is very comprehensive. Many thanks are due Mayor John W. McIntyre for this feature.
There has not been very much trial work this year, the only matters being tried being that of Olive Nerney vs. City of Attleboro and Simon Till vs. City of Attleboro. The former was a rent case involving a welfare recipient, wherein the Appellate Division of the District Court ruled against the City in the amount of eighteen dollars. The latter was a defect in the highway case in which the Court found for the City.
The case of the Attleboro Savings Bank vs. City of Attleboro has been settled at a reasonable figure and has been stricken from the docket of the Superior Court.
Pending on the docket of the Superior Court at the present time are the following matters:
Pelletier vs. City of Attleboro (sidewalk case)
Berry vs. City of Attleboro (sidewalk case) Fred A. Clark vs. City of Attleboro (wage case) Bloom vs. City of Attleboro (old building case)
164
ANNUAL REPORT
Due to the increase of the number of wards in 1934, the City became a six- ward city for the first time during 1940 and elections were held on that basis. Previous attempts to return to a five ward basis were rejected by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1938 because of constitutional objections and a similar petition was referred to the next annual session in 1939. In 1940 there was no legislative session, the Commonwealth having voted biennial sessions in 1938. The net result was that the City of Attleboro only elected five councilmen at large at the December election of 1940 in the face of Section 10 of our Charter requiring the election of six councilmen at large. After conferences with State Secretary Frederick Cook, the election warrant was drawn to call for only five councilmen at large and a bill was immediately presented to the General Court to make the necessary charter change and to ratify prior acts involved in the December election.
A new record for speedy passage was set by the General Court when on the day of the Governor's inauguration, the bill was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by the Governor on January 2, 1941. This new act is entitled Chapter 1 of the Acts of 1941.
Again I renew my request for an increase in the compensation paid the office of City Solicitor, as I believe the work involved is considerably out of proportion to the salary paid.
Henri Proulx, City Solicitor.
Harold E. Sweet President
ANNUAL REPORT OF
The Attleborough Hospital
OPERATING THE
Sturdy Memorial Hospital
FOR THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
The Fisher-Darrah Dormitory for Nurses. Donated to Sturdy Memorial Hospital by the late Sarah Darrah.
167
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent-MISS G. G. RICE, R. N.
OFFICERS
HAROLD E. SWEET, President ALBERTA REMINGTON CARPENTER, Vice-President FRED L. WETHERELL, Treasurer HORACE B. GOWEN, Clerk and Assistant Treasurer
TRUSTEES
H. Dean Baker Lloyd G. Balfour William H. Bannon Fred E. Briggs Alberta R. Carpenter Joshua W. Clarke, M. D. Blanche Daggett Joseph Finberg Stephen H. Foley Ernest D. Gilmore Victor R. Glencross Raymond M. Horton Walter M. Kendall Rosella Mason Lester Nerney
Etta F. Kent Annie G. King William J. Luther Geneva E. Murphy Frederick V. Murphy, M. D. Rev. James M. Quinn
Edgar A. Remington Harold K. Richardson Gertrude F. Ryder Alice H. Stobbs Samuel M. Stone Florence M. Sweet Harold E. Sweet
Edwin F. Thayer Beatrice W. Wilmarth
THE BOARD OF MANAGERS-1941
Joseph Finberg Edwin F. Thayer Victor R. Glencross
William J. Luther Samuel M. Stone Harold E. Sweet
These latter with the following ex-officio members, Mayor John W. McIntyre, Cyril K. Brennan, representing the Municipal Council, and William Marshall, City Treasurer, constitute the administrative board of the hospital.
TRAINING SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR NURSES
Mrs. Nettie Gilmore Mrs. Gertrude F. Ryder Miss Irene Battey
Mrs. Esther Stone, Chairman Thomas O. Mullaly Claude Smith Mrs. Lillian Briggs
Mrs. Margaret Armstrong
168
ANNUAL REPORT
CONSULTING STAFF
Surgeons
Harry H. Germain, M. D .. 479 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Wyman Whittemore, M. D .. .199 Beacon St., Boston
Channing C. Simmons, M. D. 205 Beacon St., Boston
Leland S. McKittrick, M. D. .205 Beacon St., Boston
Arthur R. Kimpton, M. D. .23 Bay State Road, Boston
Gilbert Horrax, M. D. . 605 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Howard M. Clute, M. D. 171 Bay State Road. Boston
Medical
Charles H. Lawrence, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Cadis Phipps, M. D .. .587 Beacon St., Boston
Wyman Richardson, M. D .. 264 Beacon St., Boston
Garnet P. Smith, M. D., Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital, Attleboro, Mass.
SPECIALISTS
Gynecologists
Frederick W. Johnson, M. D. 167 Newbury St., Boston Louis E. Phaneuf, M. D. 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Urologists
Ernest G. Crabtree, M. D. 99 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
James B. Hicks, M. D. 1101 Beacon St., Boston
Obstetrician
Frederick C. Irving, M. D.
221 Longwood Ave., Boston
Orthopedic Surgeons
Charles F. Painter, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
John G. Kuhns, M. D. 372 Marlborough St., Boston
Nose, Throat and Ear
George Loring Tobey, Jr., M. D. 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Ophthalmologist
Edwin Blakeslee Dunphy, M. D. 101 Bay State Road, Boston Neurologist
Douglas A. Thom, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Cardiologist
Sylvester McGinn, M. D. 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Pediatrician 122 Waterman St., Providence, R. I.
Henry E. Utter, M. D.
Consulting Radiologist
Arial W. George, M. D. 43 Bay State Road, Boston Consulting Pathologists
Timothy Leary, M. D .. 818 Harrison Ave., Boston John F. Kenney, M. D. 206 Broadway, Pawtucket, R. I.
169
ANNUAL REPORT
VISITING STAFF OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Staff Organization January, 1941
James H. Brewster, M. D. President
Milton E. Johnson, M. D .. .
Vice-President
Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D. Secretary-Treasurer
Surgical Staff
John A. Reese, M. D., F. A. C. S .. Chief of Staff
H. Irving Bixby, M. D., F. A. C. S. Associate Surgeon
James A. Bryer, M. D .. Associate Surgeon
Carl J. DePrizio, M. D. Associate Surgeon
Assistant Surgeons
Carlton S. Ford, M. D. Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D.
Milton E. Johnson, M. D. Daniel J. Kiley, M. D.
William J. Morse, M. D. Roy W. Nelson, M. D.
Leo Varden, M. D.
Medical Staff
Herbert Lowell Rich, M. D. Chief of Staff
James H. Brewster, M. D.
Isadore Altman, M. D.
Leonard W. Hill, M. D.
Harold F. Harrington, M. D.
William M. Stobbs, M. D.
Raymond G. Ockert, M. D.
Joseph H. Colman, M. D. Edward S. Ward, M. D.
Obstetrical Staff
Joshua W. Clarke, M. D. Chief of Staff . Associate
Edith Kerkhoff, M. D.
Harold F. Harrington, M. D. Raymond G. Ockert, M. D. Leo Varden, M. D.
Roy W. Nelson, M. D.
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Staff
Arthur C. Conro, M. D .. . Chief of Staff
H. Irving Bixby, M. D., F. A. C. S. James Holoff, M. D.
Ralph P. Kent, M. D. Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D.
Anesthesia Staff
Frederick V. Murphy, M. D ..
.Chief of Staff
Jesse W. Battershall, M. D. Leonard W. Hill, M. D.
X-Ray Department
Edward B. Perkins, M. D.
Chief of Staff
Daniel J. Kiley, M. D. Assistant Radiologist
Physiotherapy Department
Ralph P. Kent, M. D. Head of Department
James H. Brewster, M. D.
Laboratory Pathologist and Director
Dental Department
Walter E. Briggs, D. M. D .. Chief Dentist Anderson S. Briggs, D. M. D. Assistant Dentist
Elmer W. Clarke, M. D. Fernande L. Girouard, M. D. Max Bennett, M. D. Allen R. Howard, M. D.
Courtesy Staff Charles E. Roderick, M. D. Mitchell Wasserman, M. D. Michael E. Vance, M. D. C. V. Lendgren, M. D.
Efficiency Committee Ralph P. Kent, M. D. Herbert L. Rich, M. D. John A. Reese, M. D., F. A. C. S.
William J. Morse, M. D.
170
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent of Hospital and School of Nursing Gwendolyn G. Rice, R. N. Assistant Superintendent of Hospital and School of Nursing Katherine V. Lloyd, R. N.
Night Supervisors Mabel A. Johnson, R. N. Claire Whalen, R. N.
Operating Rooms Supervisor-Helen Webb, R. N. Assistant-Mabel Love, R. N.
Surgical Department Supervisor-Effie B. Brooks, R. N. Head Nurse-Brita E. Marsland, R. N.
Obstetrical Department Supervisor-Louise M. Carlin, R. N. Head Nurse-Gladys M. Anderson, R. N.
Pediatric Department Supervisor-Doris E. Holbrook, R. N.
Instructors Katherine F. Moriarty, B. S., R. N. Ruby J. Gordon, A. B., R. N.
Technicians
Physiotherapy and X-Ray Laboratory . Laboratory Assistant.
Anna M. Moore, R. N. Marjorie F. Grant, B. S. Marion M. Waldron, R. N.
Dietitian Mary C. Casey, B. S. Record Librarian Clara H. Rhodes, R. R. L.
Bookkeepers Pauline F. Johnson Virginia M. Waldron, assistant House Mother Elizabeth W. Dugan Housekeeper Luella K. Lee Switchboard Operators Ruth M. Abbott Clara M. Clarke
VISITING COMMITTEE 1940
January : Mrs. Esther Stone and Claude C. Smith
February : Harold E. Sweet and Mrs. Marion P. Carter
March: Edwin F. Leach and Mrs. Lillian Briggs
May:
April: Raymond M. Horton and William J. Luther Ernest D. Gilmore and Mrs. Gertrude F. Ryder
June : Miss Blanche Daggett and Mrs. Alberta Carpenter Edwin F. Thayer and John E. Turner
July : August: Victor R. Glencross and Thomas O. Mullaly
September: Harry Holbrook and Mrs. Beatrice W. Wilmarth
October: Joseph Finberg and Mrs. Tilda B. Stone
November: Fred E. Sturdy and Mrs. Maude F. Tweedy
December: Mrs. Gertrude H. Sweet and Mrs. Rosella Mason
171
ANNUAL REPORT
History of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital
By a generous clause in the will of Mrs. Ellen A. Winsor, the homestead estate of her father, the late James H. Sturdy, was bequeathed to the Town of Attleborough, to be used for a general hospital, in memory of James H. and Adah S. Sturdy. In addition to this gracious act, Mrs. Winsor placed her residuary estate in a permanent fund, to be known as the Albert W. and Ellen A. Winsor Fund, to be held in trust, the income only thereof to be used to assist in the maintenance of said hospital. The original gift of real estate known as the Sturdy Foundation, is valued at $30,000 and the personal property left by Mr. and Mrs. Winsor, known as the Winsor Foundation, is valued at $93,000.00.
The location for such an institution was ideal, but to prepare the property for modern hospital work required the expenditure of a larger sum of money than the town officials felt warranted at this time in asking the citizens to ap- propriate. At this crisis, the Attleborough Hospital, a corporation organized under the Massachusetts laws, came forward and offered to take the property in trust, reconstruct the home house, build new additions, erect in connection therewith a modern operating wing, equip the whole plant, and open the institu- tion as a general hospital to be known as the Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
The Town of Attleborough at a special meeting held May 14, 1912, accepted the offer of the Attleborough Hospital, and in due time placed the property in question in trust with said corporation.
The work of reconstruction and new building was commenced in July, 1912, and on April 14, 1913, after an expenditure of something over $30,000, the hospital was opened.
Again in July, 1914, another addition was made, known as the Nurses' Home, with provisions also for maternity cases, thus making 30 beds as the total capacity of the hospital, being largely possible because of a gift of $10,000 from the late Fannie M. Tappan. The total cost of this addition was approximately $18,000, and the balance was provided from income from trust accounts and individual gifts.
In 1922, Joseph L. Sweet, President of the Attleborough Hospital since its beginning, provided for the erection of a $125,000 fireproof addition to be known as the Florence Hayward Sweet Maternity Building, and adding 21 beds to the capacity of the hospital. This addition was opened June 4, 1923, and the gift included a new plant and boiler house situated at the rear of the lot back of the present Nurses' Home, providing the steam and heating and other needs of the whole hospital.
With the realization that its facilities were being taxed to the limit and the needs of a substantial addition pressing, the Board of Managers, in the fall of 1924, voted to undertake a campaign for additional funds. With an enthusiasm on the part of the subscribers and workers unparalleled in the history of our com- munity, this campaign was brought to a successful conclusion on February 9, 1925 with total pledges of over $392,000, the objective having been $300,000.00.
The Sturdy Homestead, formerly the main hospital was relocated in the rear of the Nurses' Home, giving much needed additional accommodation for nurses, and a three story, sixty-five room, buff brick and stone, modern hospital building was erected on the site of the old hospital.
The new unit reached such a point of completion as to permit of the registra- tion of the first patient therein on July 25, 1926. On September 30th the building was thrown open for inspection by the public, and while no formal exercises were attempted, in the evening a dinner was given to the local and consulting staffs with an especially splendid representation of the latter who were exceedingly generous in their commendation of the entire hospital plant and its equipment, highly significant, coming from professional men who have frequent contacts with the very best hospital facilities in the country.
The death of Joseph L. Sweet in July, 1932, ended the services of one who has been active in the management and expansion of the hospital from its beginning For more than twenty years, he was president of the corporation, and to that
172
ANNUAL REPORT
office he brought not only an executive ability, but the financial support which the institution needed so badly. He was intensely interested in seeing first, that the hospital was well equipped to meet the needs of the community, and second, that it was endowed and fortified against financial stress.
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