The New York herald., 1921-08-08
The Polytechnic Hospital.
The Trustees Protest Against the
Public Health Services Course.


name OF the trustees and medical staff
OF the Polyclinic Hospital l protest
against the injustice OF the further pro-
longed occupancy OF this property by
the public Health Service OF the United
States. and appeal to our state and
municipal officers ard to eW-v man end
woman who believes IN ne recogni-
ton OF an honorable obligation to ala
In bringing such pressure to bear upon
the authorities at Washington that this
great hospital--scryins one OF the most
popuious districts OF the city of New
York. IN which there Is q great short
age In hospital Accommodations for the
largely increased civil popuiation--rlay
be returned to It's owners and again be
Used for the benefit OF our own people.
In the crisis of the world war, at
period when New York city was
crowded with returning sick and
wounded of the American Expeditionary
Forces, many of whom were not re-
ceiving proper hospital treatment by
reason Of an inadequate service. the
trustees OF the New York Polytechnic
Medical School and Hospital without
dissenting voice voted TO turn their prop
erty over to the Medical Corps of the.
War Department of the United States
for It's uses "in the prosecution of the
present war" This proffer was accepted
without hesitation and with every ex-
preston OF generous appreciation, and
under no circumstances was possession
10 be held beyond eighteen months after
the termination OF the war"
In August. 1919, the Polytechnic
Hospital. being no longer required for
the uses OF the Medical Corps OF the
War Department, for which service 1t
had been specifically designated in the
lease and by the resolution of the
trustees. was. against the wishes and
the written protest Of the trustees.
transferred to the uses of the United
states Public Health Service, which from
that date. August, 1919. has had con-
tinuous possession and without regard
20 the injustice and great financial loss
10 the owners OF the property has per-
sistently refused TO relinquish its occu-
pancy and turn IL over to its proper
owners, the officials OF the Administra-
tion which has just expired holding pos
session under the pretext that we are
still at war because the treaty of peace
had not been signed by the President
Against this act OF injustice, doubly
emphasized when the patriotic motive
OF the lessons IS considered, the trustees
and medical faculty protest.
More than two years has passed
since the Public Health Service took
possession Of this property. and no one
can deny that with the aid of the power
and wealth Of the United States this
Service has had ample time and all
necessary means 10 have secured other
suitable accommodations for the care
OF our ex-servicc men instead of taking
advantage OF the pretext that the war
is not yet over 20 continue an occu-
pancy which Ia akin to conhscation.
This Service has had placed at Its
disposal a magnificent property admi-
capable OF accommodating three or four
times as many patients as the Poly
clinic Hospital. which property IL has
declined 20 use.
The Public Health Service owning
the Hudson street Hospital in New
York city might well employ this in
stitution Tor its local acute emergency
cases and better the condition OF its
chronic or convaloscent patients by
transferring these 20 the one Hundred
Acre Park and the salubrious environ
ment Of the extensive and attractive
buildings situated upon the Pocantico
Hllls. IN plain view Of the Hudson River.
by which. In addition 10 three railroads.
Il Ii readily accessible.
JOHN A. wYErH, M. d..
President Medical Board. Polytechnic
Hospital
NEW YoRK, August 8