The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 47

Financial Neirs Three Business Pages Colnpete quotations from New York and Amerwan Exchanges pages 4-6C FOUNDED 1886 Last In A Series contributions from patients Insurance governmental and other private agencies were made (1111t tithattatt 411 Hospitals Say Chari ty Loss Raises Costs bservtr SECTIO'N EDITORIALS COLUMNS FINANCIAL CLASSIFIED Thursday Nov 29 1962 The reimbursement formula stipulates that hospitals putting new areas Into use or with other extenuating circumstances that might cause a sharp increase in costs can ask for special consideration of their cases I ie 11 11 Financial News tr 1 Three Business Pages (Li' le ehartt -t ervtr SECTION EDITORIALS COLUMNS Conipefe quotations from New York and American Exchanges FINANCIAL CLASSIFIED pages 4-6C FOUNDED 1886 Thursday Nov 29 1962 -3 1" rl -1 Hospitals Say Charity Loss Raises Costs 6:: ays Last In A Series insurance governmontributions from patients ntal and la Th tiPulats reimbursement fo rmu- SP that hospitals I it t4 other I' i a agencies putting new areas into use -1 -i 1 were made or with other extenuating -i i Vi circumstances that might i cause a sharp increase in oirs 1 ri costs can ask for special con- Gary sideration of their cases I Ak 016 i 4 0 pf IVr111 01 I i 4 pi v- 4 Lze vo L'i By DON SEAVER Observer Staff Writer Between 1951 and 1961 the amount of money Tar Heel hospitals lost in caring charity patients increased by 62 per cent according to the NC Hospital Association The estimated loss was $35 million in 1961 A study of hospital admissions compiled by the NC Medical Society in 1960 indicated that only 61 per cent of all hospital bills were paid by local or state welfare agencies By DON SEAVER Observer Staff Writer Between 1951 and 1961 the amount of money Tar Heel hospitals lost in caring charity patients increased by 62 tier cent according to the ate and hospital employes must receive lower salaries than those in comparable jobs in private industry The result would be a lowering of the quality of medical care patients must be overcharged to make up for the loss on charity care In recent years charitable contributions to nonprofit hospitals dwindled spital costs have risen continuously and will continue to do so And say hospital officials one of the major reasons for this continued increase has been the continuous loss on care of charity patients and hospital employes ate must receive lower salaries than those in comparable jobs in private industry The result would he a lowering of the quality of medical care patients must be overcharged to make up for only $2233 a day for cases sponsored by the two state agencies Hospital officials say that this is one of the major reasons that the hospital still takes a beating on charity cases despite the fact that Mecklenburg is one of the few counties that pays full costs for the indigent who do not qualify for help from those agencies Officials of the NC Hospital Association say that continuing losses on charity care must Inevitably lead to one of two consequences or a combination of both: Facilities and equipment must be allowed to deterior only $22 33 a day for a sponsored by the two state agencies Hospital officials say that this is one of the major rea- sons that the hospital still ethaast- takes a despite on the According to hospital association officials this indicated that allowing a small amount for bad debts government agencies were paying for less than half the costs of indigent patients those who were unable to pay themselves The reminder of the cost was absorbed by hospitals and their paying patients Hospitals are forbidden by law to ask patients sponsored by government agencies to pay any charges over the amount the agency pays According to hospital as- sociation officials this indi- cated that allowing a small Amnivnt frir hnti rinkte anvarn Charlotte Memorial Hospital is an example Memorial has been engaged in a building program for five years and last year began opening a new 233-bed wing Costs jumped up Hospital officials asked the state agencies to reimburse on the basis of their costs the $2608 a day paid by Mecklenburg County for the general indigent cases But Memorial now receives The study also showed that 75 per cent of all hospital bills remained unpaid after The 1961 General Assembly increased the pooled fund payments from $10 to $16 a day These funds are available for indigent persons who are over 65 permanently or totally disabled or who qualify under aid to dependent children This Increase helped some But average hospital costs in North Carolina jumped to $2615 a day in 1961 Hospitals were still left at the mercy of their own counties to make up the difference Most do not Hospital officials say also that almost without exception other government agency payments are inadequate The Aid to the Blind program administered by the NC Commission for the Blind also pays S16 a day for patients it assists Two other agencies the crippled children's section of the State Board of Health and the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency also sponsor needy patients for hospitalization Both reimburse hospitals by using average 1934 costs and adding a five per cent increase per year In the four years from 1957 through 1960 hospital costs in North Carolina increased at an average of a little more than 6 per cent a year There was a 10 per cent in crease in 1961 The 1961 General Assembly increased the pooled fund Pay- ments from $10 to $16 a day These funds are available for indigent persons who are over 65 permanently or totally dis- shied or who qualify under aid to dependent children A Mother's Letter Forces Another Look At Teen Fads A mother's story forces us to risk over-working the subject of label-conscious teens It is not to suggest that all teens or that even great numbers can be bracketed in the same behavior pattern under pressure It is to suggest that the status-seeking pressure is general monumental and cruel Any other conclusions are those of the reader Here is a Monroe mother's story: "Dear Mr Gary: "My appreciation of your columns on teen passion for 'label' clothing perhaps means more than that of others because mine comes from a broken heart "Although my husband and I are far from wealthy we are able to indulge occasionally in 'extras' for our children meaning of course Weejuns Villager blouses and one or two wrap-around madras skirts 29 ABOVE '61 Democrats Begin Quiet 'Rebuilding' Rate Of Serious Crimes Goes UT 1 accent on youth and a loosening of the hold of older 'leaders on the party emphasis on the role and work of women in planning! and policy making By JOE DOSTER Observer Stiff Writer A group of leading Meck lenburg Democrats met quietly Wednesday to start putting their house in order for the 1964 National Increase Only 5 new active volunteers 'She Seemed To Understand' "Of course our oldest daughter wanted more but WV talked with her about misplaced values about expenses that had to be met and the necessity to save for their education She seemed to understand and I thought all was well ''But as weeks passed it seemed we could not keep funds in our household 'kitty' Neither my husband nor I questioned the other about amounts each took from it because expenses had to be met and each knows what our budget is "Then one day my serene and happy existence was shattered While searching for something I opened the door of an unused closet and before me were blouses bermudas a dress and wrap-around skirt of the 'must' labels I don't know how long I stood there motionless and stunned confronted my daughter and at first they 'belonged to friends' but eventually her confession came She had been taking money from the 'kitty' for a long time and buying these articles on the installment plan because she 'had to have as many as her friends' Nor would she be 'in the right group' if she wore 'cheap copies'! 'We FailedWe Live In Fear' "We cannot understand Our children have been raised with our companionship and love Good books have always been made available There was always a Bible story at bedtime We' never sent our children to Sunday School and church We took them and worship ed together "We could understand better if she were not well adjusted and popular and active in our church Believe me it has made an old woman out of me because we failed somewhere and we live in fear that on another day there will be another drive to possess another 'label' another idol 3t4 Ot 1 71 lh 4V LIIIM161 014" 4 4PkNeiZto41 kt A i- '4444444N- DI 1 1440s 5 I 3 i 1 1ti 0 4s21k 4 7'14' 1 1 411t l'''')A0 ii a IZ 104 0' AA 4111111711110r7r IP 11 il PP unteers to replace me semi- Party Chairman Raymond King called the meeting at the pros or paid workers who have Anchor Inn Several more prob failed to deliver in the past ably will he held in the next 1 search for new attractive few months candidates to carry the party The party workers spent little banner time hashing over the mistakes" About 50 Democrats attended I made in the recent campaign the meeting but no elected of" when Democrats lost in county fice holders were invited el office races for the first time included leaders in Young Democrats Club Because the meeting was not Democratic Women's Club the an official meeting Of the Men's Club of the Democratic Democratic Executive Coin- Party some officers of the party mittee no formal votex were and the hard core of the active taken But strong sentiment I workers was expressed for: Party leaders have admitted privately that they have a major vote of confidence in King rebuilding job to do in Mecklenas the party chairman He got' burg and said that a series of a standing ovation meetings to get ideas and ex- change information would be full time office with a held staff to work on registration recruiting new volunteers and W'ednesday's meeting was the year-round activities kickoff to replace the semipros or paid workers who have failed to deliver in the past otor lb Er psptviNive A FIRE feels good on these chilly days This one was being used to warm the hands of brick cleaners at work at the 3 yr 4t 4 lb rAIL dh site of the old Austin Apartments at 317 9th St (Observer Photo by Don Sturkey) ild Austin Apartments at (Observer Photo by Don By JOHN YORK 4041 '04 Observer Staff Writer I Serious crime in Charlotte increased 29 per cent during '14a4: I the first nine months 6f 1962 0': to the first nine 1 months of 1961 1 Serious crime in Greensboro also increased 29 per cent over 411 (1 The same crimes in Winston- 5i the nine-month period of 1961 I Salem increased 26 per cent 't The latest available figures 1 7: from the Federal Bureau of 7 ia '41F'N 14 investigation indicated that 4 the national increase in serious 6 -041- crimes during the first months of 1961 woo only five per cent s1 a The FBI said that nationally all crime categories showed in- creases with murder up one per cent forcible rape tip two per cent aggravated assault up four per cent robbery up five 1 per cent burglary up three per cs cent and larcenies of $50 value Speed Wa or more up six per cent The figures showing the serious crimes reported in Charlotte du- Il! ing the first nine months of lin Ilallots 1962 were obtained from local police records These figures WillBe Sent ap(r)elitgeivefonrtou ct he i Fri Bclobmy pCi ihi nagr tonna! Urinal statistics on crime I Police Chief John tiord a pa- stockholders and creditors have Charlotte Motor Speedway tient in Mercy Hospital with a until Dec 20 to appal or dis- hack injury confirmed the in- rease in local crime Wednes- approve a speedway reorganiza-dav tion plan according to an order signed by Federal Judge llord said it probahly could Craven Jr be attributed to a steadily in-Trustee Robert Robinson creasing population in the city said he would mail 2400 hal- and county lots this week to the stockhold- "rhat's shout the only thing I ers and creditors Craven's or- could attribute it to" he said der sets the Dec 20 deadline "Of we know that the for the ballots to be marked and I course majority of murders were corn- trustee placed in hands of the nutted by Negroes here and kve know that slums prohably have some effect on the rest of 'the crime rate hut I don't havo 1 any statistics that would help me analyze it any better" Hord said N41141'464 4 1 71'4 tt 61 tg'41Thb John Kennedy Still Trying To Pay Campaign Debts "I would have trusted my daughter under any and all circumstances I cannot understand "Others may laugh at the label situation and shrug and make jokes but I consider it deadly serious and frightening when the urge to own these items can cause such behavior in young people who are leaders in schools and churches It is not the least comfort to have discovered through friends who work in stores that my daughter Is far from being alone I am sorry that I cannot sign my name for her sake A heart-broken mother" eilse-4 0 7 A I liTs Uniformity Sought In Teacher Hiring By JOE POSTER Observer Staff Writer John Kennedy Jr still is having trouble paying off some of the campaign debts from last spring's ath Congressional District Democratic primary A number of campaign contribution pledges have been honored and Kennedy is attempting to make up difference himself Kennedy who WAS defeated by A Paul Kitchin was badly hampered in the closing days of his primary campaign by lack of finances A CONGRESSIONAL match for the future might feature Sixth District Congressman Horace Kornegay er sus State Rep Bill Osteen both of Greensboro Guilford County Republicans CYRUS BROOKS Accepts Post The court already has approved the plan A majority of approximately 2300 stockholders and a twothirds majority Of the "unsecured" creditors mut approve the plan to put it into effect 'The court already has op- proved the plan A majority of approximately 2300 kii 4 hr after the clean sweep they made of county offices in the recent elections are about ready to test their strength against bigger game Osteen is a proven egetter in Guilford and his supporters think he would make a strong candidate Kornegay may also see some Opposition in the Democratic primary in 1964 Chapel Hill's Bob Cox has been making By JAMES BATTEN Harris said this week however Observer Staff Writer that the board has no intention The Charlotte Classroom of tampering with the commit-Teachers Association wants all system just now teachers in the consolidated sys- The Charlotte ('TA has cited tern elected or hired the i the different teacher election same way and next year it will 'methods as its reason for op-ask the Board of Education to consolidation with the endorse the idea Mecklenburg County CTA In Mrs Margery Thompson long-N general the city unit 's leaders time leader of the city teachers' have contended that the district unit said Wednesday that she undermine leachers' probably will appear before the job security board at its January meeting to Charlottean Manwre Mooresville Area Of Alen To Meet men I ce Ills TERM EXPIRED The plan provides for paying off about $900000 in creditors' ern of NCo Commerce maenrIc so for luc etrhs claims cnu tn discuss Piedmont nties will meet et icSlsno ewith a vceur edi intproll rsna I neBridrdi siosinZ(istkimisl dhe Cfhrean(11'11heol11imin71: 'former genra1 manager of the area problems speedway said he is interest The Charlotte Chamber of led in its affairs because he is Commerce said there would be creditor and stockholder: representatives here from Gas ISmith said he and ot hers ton Cabarrus Lincoln Union with whom he has talked would and Iredell counties in North approve the plan if cert a In Carolina and Lancaster and York amendments were made I counties in South Carolina noises like a candidate for a couple of years THE DEMOCRATIC majority on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners may not be able to field a working majority when the newly elected board takes office Democrats Craig Lowing Charles Lowe and Frank Blythe have not been able to get together to decide who will be chairman of the new board The Republican commissioners Henry Wilmer and Allred Shriver are sitting back watching the Democrats fight it out among themselves A 101 of Democrats who got bruised in the last election are still looking for a scapegoat The handiest target is Gov Terry Sanford There was widespread talk about a "protest vote" among the politicos who gathered recently at State Sen Er win Belk's party for Clarence Stone Mecklenburgers tend to have little part in this They say lack of organization enough work and weak candidates caused their troubles THE JOCKEYING for position for the 19fi4 race for governor is under way among the Democrats For the next six months the air will be so lull of trial balloons that it will take a machine gun to keep them all shot down State Party Chairman Bert Bennett and Dr 1 Beverly Lake are still the names most often mentioned TAIK or Congressman Herbert Bonner stepping (town from his First District seat is probably raising the brows of Claude 1 Greene Jr the Bepuhlican opponent to US Son Sam Ervin Jr in the recent election Some of Greene'a friends say that the Senate race was a means of getting his name known in preparation for a run for Congress Is County Guardian Illegal'? (yru Brooks administrative assistant in the Charlotte city manager's office will leave Jan I to become city manager of Mooresville Brooks will replace Phin Horton I II wbo will MOVP tO Shelhy Jan 22 In become Shelhy's first city manager llor ton has been City manager in Mooresville for the past four years SchoolBuildings Get it's Students Don't Brook 29 la a native of Union Coun ly and grew tin In High Point Ile graduated from the Universily of North Carolina in 1974 and later anent five yeara in the US Air Force including duty na an Intelligence officer In Alaska discuss the proposal If the bnard approves she said the Charlotte CTA will have a local bill Introduced at thP upcoming session of the General Assembly requiring that all teachers be hired by the Board of Education At present teachers in county schools are officially hired by 14 district committees appoint ed by the Board of Education City teachers are hired directly by the hoard If the board refuses to endorse the proposal Mrs Thompson said her group would not push the matter at this session of the General Assembly Two years aco a similar prn posal by the (TA was rejected by the board If unsuccessful in 1963 the CTA will try again in 1965 she said "We're going to do it every in() years" Mrs Thompson added "until we get it done" Under present law the local board haa the power to strip the district committees of their hiring and firing powers without gning to the General Assembly for further action Board Chairman David 14' Travis is public guardian for almost 200 wards Stukes said Wednesday that he will meet with Travis soon to look into the situation which is complicated by state law Travis Stukes said either was appointed improperly in the first place or his term has expired slate's guardianship law says that the public guardian shall be appointed for eight years Travis was first chosen In 1950 by Lester Wolfe The appointment was for unstated reasons for four years instead Of eight Travis was reappointed in Mil and again In 195a each time for four yetillt Invalidate Travis' Appointment but that he needed to look further into the matter Stukes indicated that he would he inclined to reappoint Travis after a routine check of the guardianship accounts By law the public guardian makes an annual report on each estate showing income And disbursements from it These statements are regular ly Audited Stukes said Travis is hooded for $150000 The public guardian is corn riensated at the rate of five per cent of the income on ne counts In a December I1)fiL report to St' Travis listed 149 "mu! wards and Stukes said that Travis at that time aka had about 25 veterans as' wards By DAVIS MERRITT Obsorver Staff The possibility arose Wednes day that Mecklenburg's public guardian custodian of about Sloo000 has heti acting in that capacity without proper legal authority Clerk of Superior Court Edward Stukes confirmed that the fouryear term of Joseph Travis expired in April and that Travis has not been reappointed Travis holds both the office of public guardian And of so licitor of County Recorder's Court jobs which put him among the county's highest paid employes The public guardian sp pointed by the clerk of Su perior Court lakes over the eatates of mental Incompet'nix And minors for shorn no other persona qualify as guardian Itabinm Oct said that of the I50-odd boys he talked to st West Charlotte Caringer and Myers Park 20 will probably op ply for admission There is no way of predicting how many could meet NIIT's rigorous standards he Added The professor said he was 'tremendously impres sed" ulth the buildings at West Chalone High School in not th est ChAtintle Nk ISh IA el had high school buildings like that hi' said A recruiter from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Camhridge Mass visited Nee Charlotte high schools Wednesday and concluded that local 3oII1igst t'r fl "nothing remarkahle" "There're mint bright ones And sumo not-so bright" said Ernest lialunowitcz a proles sor of mechanical engineering NTIT feels that collegehound students need sound MIN irP more than a selling job hP said and thus sends nut pun fessors rather than admuustratill's to represent the school Both Horton And Ilrnoks are graduates of the Fels Institute til Imeal and State Gmernment A part Of the Whartiin Graduate School At the University of Itrrgik 11 came to Chat toile in July 19h1 As An administrative intern in the city manag (I (Mice to enmplete requirements for his graduate degree Ile became An admin istrative Assistant In the eit manager It January Stokes tool( Over as clerk it hen olte died In 1061 Ilia rrpart made at Stukes said that Wo lle's fai1 tire to follow the statute might See GUARDIAN Pg IC Col 1 1.