Should Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who is worth about $500,000, have his hand out, asking the public for money for his abortion-clinic cause?

Yes, said Morgentaler in a phone interview from his Montreal office, because the money will go toward the legal costs he still faces in Toronto and Winnipeg

Despite the fact he's worth half a Million dollars, Morgentaler claims he could lose that in his fight to set up abortion clinics in major cities in Canada.

"Even though my supporters are pledged to a pay my legal costs," Morgentaler said, I am the one who is ultimately responsible for my debts.

"If enough money is not raised in the campaign for public support, then the costs will have to come out of my pocket.

"I could be financially ruined." Morgentaler was twice acquitted by juries in Quebec for running a Montreal abortion clinic but jailed for 18 months when the Quebec government won an appeal against his acquittal.

A Toronto jury refused to convict him of procuring a miscarriage at his Harbord St. clinic, which is still operating while awaiting the outcome of an appeal by the crown.

In Winnipeg, Morgentaler's clinic has been shut down and his licence to practise medicine is under suspension until April 18.

Morgentaler admitted that his real-estate holdings in Montreal and other investments are worth from $450,000 to $500,000.

"Considering that I have been a physician for 30 years., it's possible I could have been worth $1 million by now if I had not chosen to fight for abortion clinics," he said.

He contends that he is serving a need for Canadian women, that no jury in any major city will convict him, and that the law will eventually be changed to allow clinics like his.

Abortions are only legal in Canada when performed in a recognized hospital after a special committee of that hospital has ruled that a woman's mental or physical health is endangered by continuing the pregnancy.

Morgentaler has made a great deal of his money in real-estate transactions in his native Montreal.

In the past, Morgentaler has estimated his gross annual income at about $100,000.

Women seeking abortions at his Harbord St. clinic are charged a $50 consulting fee and $250 for the operation. Of this latter amount, $75 goes to the doctor performing the 10-minute operation. The remaining $175 goes to Morgentaler's consulting firm, Lexogest Inc.

Morgentaler does not own the Harbord St. building. It's owned by Gestions Habal Inc., of Montreal, which is his brother Abram's firm.

Abram (Mike) Morgentaler told The Star he paid $260,000 for the building, "because it was essential to have a friendly landlord."

Morgentaler's investments in Montreal are mainly in apartment houses.

Morgentaler's home in Montreal's prestigious Westmount area has been valued at $200,000. In addition, he has a 35-unit apartment house valued at $500,000 on which there is a mortgage for $350,000.

He also has a 17-unit apartment worth $185,000 with a $135,000 mortgage.

His equity in both apartment buildings is $200,000.

Morgentaler says he also has some stock investments and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan worth $35,000.

Despite his personal worth, Morgentaler says he has no qualms about making public appeals for money.

Future legal expenses are unknown but they are sure to be large he said.

"And in the final analysis I am still responsible for these legal bills," he said.