Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-24
NURSES RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
NAMES OF GRADUATES OF GAR
FIELD HOSPITAL SCHOOL.
Admiral Rixey Mentions Need Of
Navy--Address by Secretary
Of the Interior.

Addressing the graduating class Of the
Garfield Memorial Hospital yesterday after
noon, Admiral p. M. Rixey, surgeon gen.
eral OF the navy, gave expression to the
urgent need of the navy Of the United
States for competent corps of women
trained nurses. He said he hoped to secure
the necessary legislation from the next
Congress to confer this boon upon the
sick and injured men in the service Of
Uncle Sam of the high seas.
1t had been planned to hold the COM
mencement exercises of the nurses gradu-
ating class upon the lawn at the hospital.
but threatened Indictment weather caused
q transfer to be made at the last moment
to the nurses assembly hall, and the little
room was crowded with admiring friends Of
the graduates.
Names Of Graduates.
DR.. H. c. Yarrow presented the gradu-
ating class, nine in number, as follows:
Katherine Kramer, California; Irene Ham
ilton. Virginia; Mamie c. Cline, Virginia;
Jeanette I. Parrish, Virginia; Edith J.
Carl, Maryland; Motto Good. Pennsyl-
vania; M. Ethel league, South Carolina
Ada Nd. Pendleton, Indiana, and Anna B.
Annett, Canada.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by Rev. Robert NJ. Moore, pastor Of the
Foundry NJ: E. Church, and Surg. Gen.
R RI address followed. He reviewed
applied to the care Of the sick and in
tured, and spoke Of the evolution in train
ing OF nurses, leading up to the high
standard of modern times. He declared
the Importance OF the nurse, in relation to
the care Of the patient: is second only to
that of the physician, and he paid a special
tribute to the class graduating from Gar
field Hospital.
Nurses for the Navy.
Referring to the great need for trained
nurses in the navy, Admiral Rixey said:
II hope in the near future to offer to
woman nurses service in the care of the
sick and injured in the navy. and If the
advice of the bureau Of medicine and sur
gerry had been taken, the sick of the navy
at shore stations and in the naval hos
pitfalls would several years ago have had
well for me to say, as chief of that bu-
reau, realizing full well what trained nurs-
ing means to the sick, how sadly nurses are
needed.
IT have for more than four years urged
upon five different Secretaries of the Navy
and, with their permission, upon Congress,
our great need. My action on this ques-
ton has been so persistent and forceful
1t Is today that we are urgently In need
of trained men and women nurses, and
as have SO often explained to those upon
whom the decision rests, how this absence
of proper nursing means suffering for those
who are unable to help themselves.
1.-THE officers and enlisted men enter the
navy with the assurance that they will be
taken care of when sick or injured. The
government supplies accomplished ply
sicians and surgeons, with splendidly
equipped hospitals and facilities on every
ship for the proper care of those sick or
injured; in fact, an up-to-date equipment.
Efforts May Bear Fruit.
1.-THE one blot upon this splendid estab-
lishment is the want Of what you represent
trained nursing My hope and belief and
consolation is that our work in the past
four years will, during the next Congress,
bear fruit, and that we shall within the next
year have not only well-equipped and or
ganized male hospital corps, but woman
nurse corps and dental surgeons. None Of
these have we at present, whereas the army
has had all three for many years.
James r. Garfield, Secretary of the In
terror, made an address, in the course of
which he spoke of the great good accom-
plished BY trained nurses.
1--WE laymen know what 1t is to have
thoroughly competent nurse come to our
bedsides, or to some sick member of our
families, and do more than medicine" he
said. THE nurse brings with her a new con-
fdence, a cheerful spirit and hopefulness."
Diplomas were presented to the class by
Mr.. Justice Harlan, president Of the board
Of directors.