The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-25

Oklahoma City, Nov. 25.--Due to
the unprecedented and splendid finan-
cial condition Of the states finances
the proposed Memorial Hospital, for
the care Of wounded and disabled vet
Grams OF the late war can be erected
in record time if the state legislature
will make the necessary appropriation,
Governor Robertson assured a commit
tee Of the American Legion yesterday
afternoon.
The governor stated that by the
time the legislature meets there will
be available in the state treasury
funds sufficient to meet the $4,000, 900
appropriation asked by the legion. He
said that If the emergency clause is
added to the bill, work may be be-
gun on the hospital as soon as pre-
lin nary plans can be completed. 1t
the structure might be ready for oc-
cUpancy within SIX months.
Assuring the committee OF the le-
gion that ne has always expected to
support the hospital bill, the governor
stated that his firm action in demand
Ing state levy this year was chiefly
based on his knowledge Of the needs
OF the ex-service men Of the state
or hospital facilities.
with the state levy made" the
governor said, money Will be avail
able without waiting for the levying
and collecting of taxes to supply the
funds. From the hundreds of calls for
ad that l receive 1 know the dire
need for hospital facilities open &c
former service men,"
II. b. Fell Of Ardmore, state com.
mander OF the American Legion. as
spokesman OF the committee cited
numerous instances in the state where
veterans Of the war have suffered
for months, and finally died in tn,
most abject circumstances.
Or. I. II. Scott, state director o.
the Tn ted States public health sery
ice. told the governor that II the
proposed hospital with 1000 beds were
constructed and ready for occupancy
at the present time that the building
could be filled TO capacity with Okla
homa men who are now being treateC
in hospitals outside the state. There
would be a long waiting ! ST." he said
There are now more than l,0OC
cases OF tuberculosis among ex-soldier:
who are in Oklahoma today and no
receiving treatment Of any sort" Scott
declared. There is not a hospital II
the state which can or Will accep
these men for treatment. As matter
Of fact there are only 1900 hospita
beds now available in the entire state
Tor the treatment OF all civilians anC
former soldiers who may be injured oil
sick"
Fell submitted to the governor
signed statement by r. G.. Cholmell
Jones, director of the bureau Of wal
risk insurance. agreeing for the gov
crnment to lease any hospital thu
state may build at an annual renta
of one-tenth OF the original cost of the
building for a period of ten years
The statement agreed that the gov
ernment will fully equip the hospita
in all particulars. provide staif o
physicians and operate the institu
ton without cost TO the state.
The committee pointed out to th'
governor the fact that the bill which
the legion will present to the legis
laturc, will provide that none Of th'
appropriation viii become available
until a formal contract is signed wit!
the government for the lease OF tn
building
Fell stated that under the offe
OF the government the state Will have
magnificent hospital plant ct th'
end OF n tcn-year period which wil
not have cost the state a dollar.
Governor Robertson stated his De
lief that the people OF oklahoma ar'
overwhclm ngly In favor of the con
s,ruct.un OF the hospital so that vet
orans OF the war may have Treatment
at home. lie said that without doub
the state legislature viii appropriate
the necessary funds.
Members Of the committee whicl
called on the governor were H. u
F,n OF Ardmore, state commander
Hornce II. Pagan OF Tulsa. past com
mand,r. Earle ~ Simon OF Cherokee
state adIutant. Roy Hoffman. nation
nj executive committeoman; Or. 7. II
scott OF the public health service an'
Fred W. Hunter, chairman Of tn
lcg slative committee.
Combating an editorial which ap
reared in a Tulsa morning newspape
state Commander Eel issued a state
mont Yesterday afternoon denyinf
that the American Leg on Is a pork
/ barrel brigade" rs charged.
The statement follows. MY attcn
ton has been called to an edi;oria
appearing In the Tulsa World TO
Tuesday. November %. opposing tn
American Lcgions project for tn
erection OF an cx-servicc mems hos
pitai The editorial was entitled 9TH
Pork Barrel Dr. gade. Az the propose
for this hospital was originated b.
the American Legion and rs the lie
ginn IL the sole organization pushin
| n, it IL evident that The Pork Barre
brigade referred to can only mea
tho Amer can Legion. AZ more owe
the American Legion In composed G
the representative cx-scrvice men G
Oklahoma II Ia further plain that tn
Il.