TABLE G.-Showing the number admitted each year for the past twelve years. 191 163 163 148 162 155 1,923 190 1881 319 1882. 500 1883 519 1884 642 1885.. 819 1886.. 892 1, 102 1,373 1,509 1,794 1,923 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTORS OF THE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL FOR FOUNDLINGS. WASHINGTON, D. C., November 8, 1886. SIR: In compliance with your request of the 4th instant we respectfully submit the following: Since our report of July 1, 1885, our entire assets, exclusive of the real estate for use as a hospital, have been converted into cash. We were compelled to suspend work on the building for want of funds, as indicated in said report. Congress at its last session appropriated $3,500 for the purpose of finishing the building. When that appropriation became available we caused work on the building to be resumed, and it will soon be completed. We have expended so far on the building $21,000, and on its completion, including some extra work absolutely necessary, our entire resources will be exhausted in paying for it. We will then have a valuable property, suitable for the purpose for which Congress created this corporation, but will be without means to furnish it and put it into practical use. We have caused a board of lady managers to be organized, with a view to aid in securing contributions from the charitable and to assist in the proper management of the institution when it goes into practical operation. The necessity for this institution is almost daily rendered apparent by the police reports of abandoned and murdered infants. If we had means to start it in actual operation, we have no doubt that the exhibit of good and needed work being done by it would so appeal to the public as that we could largely rely upon private contributions to very materially aid in paying its running expenses. But in the present condition of things the receipts from private contributions are very small, and we have therefore to urge upon you to recommend that Congress appropriate not less than $10,000 at its next session for the benefit of this charity. It will require that amount and more to furnish the building and pay its running expenses for the year. With that amount we could put the hospital in such condition as would attract public attention and draw to it many contributions which under existing circumstances will not be made. |