The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-05
SETTLE HOSPITAL
MATTER TONIGHT
Common Council Expected to
Put an End to Long-Pend-
ing Controversy.
MAY ADOPT CHAMBER PLAN
Members Favor Amended Rcso-
luton Giving Concessions
to Both Sides.

The Common Council is expected to-
night to clear the way for settlement
of the hospital controversy, which has
held the centre of the City Hall stage
since It's introduction In the lower
branch on December 1. The resolution
providing for the acceptance of the
Medical College OF Virginia offer has
enjoyed varying fortunes in its long
progress through tho committees and
the Council and it's prospective dispo-
sitlon is awaited with interest by the
medical college authorities and the city
at large.
The matter comes up tonight in the
FORM OF resolution drafted by the
Administrative Board and offered as a
substitute for the resolution referred
to It by the Common Council. 1t de-
parts from the original plan in making
the board instead of the Public Utili-
ties Committee the controlling body,
and leaves the appointment of a star
ana the regulating of the privilege of
practice in the hospital, matters to be
agreed upon between the college and
the board. The original resolution, as
amended by tho Finance Committee,
contains provision permitting pa
TENTS to call In their family physi-
clans.
In the Administrative Board substi-
tute there Is no reference to the taking
over of the two Broad Street proper
ties, which it was proposed to use as
homes for nurses. The free use Of
these buildings was offered in coniunc-
ton with the offer of the Virginia Hos
pital. The omission, 1T appears was
inadvertent. and will probably be cor
rected before the resolution is APP
proved.
Sentiment Fnvors Passage
Public sentiment, as far as it can be
ascertained from the expressions of
representative citizens, appears to favor
the adoption of the substitute resolu-
ton framed by the Administrative
Board. The board has unoficially inti-
mated that it will make no attempt to
interfere with the medical college con-
troll over the appointment of the staff
The plan. IL is urged offers solution
OF the troublesome private physician
controversy by leaving that matter to
be settled as a practical detail.
Among members of the Common
Council. however. opinion seems divided
rs strongly as ever. The Umlauf fac
tion which is intent upon incorpo-
rating as part OF the contract of ac-
right OF private physicians to attend
their own patients. is by no means
satisfied with the board substitute,
which leaves the matter open.
The board resolution, moreover, will
encounter opposition from q consider
able portion of the lower branch, which
is opposed to giving the board the unre-
stricted contract power which the reso-
luton provides
May Reject Board Plan.
In City Hall circles the prevailing
opinion is that the Common Council
Will reject the Administrative Board
plan, and either amend the original
resolution or approve new one pro-
viding for the acceptance of the med
icai college offer in accordance with
the recommendation approved at tho
Chamber Of Commerce meeting on
Tuesday.
The Chamber of Commerce approved
the plan to make the Administrative
Board the controlling body instead of
the Public Utilities Committee and re-
commended that the board be author
, lZed 10 draw up Il contract with the
Medical College OF Virginia. under
which the appointment OF the hospital
stan shall remain exclusively with tho
college authorities. and containing a
provision permitting emergency pa
tlents to summon their family physi-
clans with the approval of the staff
, The chamber plans appears to offer
; the best solution Of the difficulty and
makes concessions to both the Umlauf
and medical college factions in the
matter of the family physician privi-
5 lege. Its provisions could be attained
also by incorporating the required
amendments in the administrative
Sentiment Against Delay
: Whatever plan is adop<d il is re-
gardeu as certain that the Common
Council will tonight put an end TO the
ihdecislon that has marked the city's
dealings with the question during the
past two or three weeks. There has
4 developed general feeling that the
L family physician issue has been ac-
corded too much Importance. and that
4 compared to the matter of giving the
inuiseht III OF the city adequate atten-
ton ana care, 1t Is OF minor Importance
The Board of Aldermen, which nv a
vote oil ii to !, went on record against
: permitting patients to call In their
n family physicians. WILL 1t is expected.
4 be content to pass resolution accord :
n tlents only. If n resolution drawn on
the lines indicated at the Chamber of
/ commerce meeting is presented to 1t
n for concurrence, 1t will probably DO
approved by decided majority
Faces Crowded Docket.
Il Although the hospital matter holds
o first rank in the Council docket as 81
d subject or popular interest. the Com
;, mon Council will have before it to-
5. night mass of business. Much OF it
| comes from the Committee on Finance
Q which mt its last meeting passed ON n
d lhrge number of salary increases orig
G mating with the Administrative Board
IL The City Council will this month dis
G pose OF the charter change program
q which was last week ratified for the
C second time by the Special Committed
. on Charter Changes. Chairman Fuller
: Will make an effort TO secure specia]
meetings of the Common Council and
r Board OF Aldermen In the course Of the
a next two weeks to take action on this
d., long -panding matter. II Is deemed es
sential to the passage, Of the charter
g change bill In the Legislature that II
q be introduced III the General Assembly
rs early as possible after 1t convenes
on January IA