Evening star., 1921-03-31
ISTRONG PLEA MADE
| FOR HOSPITAL HERE
Chamber of Commerce Com.
mittee Points Out Benefits
Would Be UnequaIed.

Benefits unequaled anywhere in
the country could be provided for
disabled ex-seryice men in the es-
adjustment of a rehabilitation hos
pital here, a committee of the Cham
Der OF Commerce pointed out today to
the committee Of consultant physi-
clans which will recommend the 10,
cation of these hospitals throughout
the country.
Part Of the fund appropriated by
Congress 10 to be used for the extern
sion Of present institutions, and the
local committee IL asking that. the
Capital city be allotted one of the ex-
tensions which could be placed on
sites now adjoining the st. Eliza
beth's Hospital, the Soldiers Home,
Mount Alto or Walter Reid Hospital.
Make Plea for wasAingtsn.
George II. Lamar, chairman of the
special committee in charge Of this
matter, and A. c. Seymour, secretary
of the Chamber Of Commerce, pre-
sented the plea for Washington.
Other members Of the committee are
W. c. Balderson. Joseph l. Weller.
DR.. Lewis J. Battle and Charles W.
Darr.
The history Of the location here of
government hospitals was reviewed
ing the civil war this city was the
focus of hospital operations Of the
Union Army
The tremendous progress and i'm
provements in hospital methods and
operations" he said, marked by mar
ratives of those days and the expe-
rience of the present time, has to a
very large degree been worked out
in Washington, where have been sue
cessively located: the Army Medical
School and Museum, the extensive
laboratories of the public health
service and the fine hospital and
medical schools of the Navy Depart
hospital and buildings at Mount Alto.
and the provisions for research into
the various problems involved in hos
pital work afforded by the bureau of
standards.
"In addition. Washington has been
large number of private and semi
public hospitals, some of which date
almost from the establishment of the
city itself. These afford a wide range
Of experience and educational in
fuence in hospital work.
Attention is directed to the COM
prehensive nature of the professional
field occupied by the staffs Of these
various hospitals. the wide range Of
experience. and the proved ability of
the personnel of the extensive gov
ernment hospitals in the District, and
to the opportunities for. observation
and experience which are available,
and which have been taken advantage
OF by the medilal faculty. Of the Dis
t1ct-
Nursing Services Here.
Attention is called to the foci of nurse
training activities. resulting from the
location in the District of Columbia
of the various government nursing
services. and of the location here Of
the American Red Cross"
Mr.. Lamar pointed out the health
fulness Of the climate here, and it's
desirability as a place of residence.
The fact. he said. that it is sought
as residential location by people
are able to exercise free choice as
to the location of their homes is suf-
ficiently indicative Of the attractive
ness of the climatic and other ia
vorable conditions.
He pointNd out the availability of
the sites of St. Elizabeth's Hospital,
where the disabled soldiers could be
entirely segregated from the insane
inmates. and impressed the commit
tee with the efficient management
now is conducted! He also stressed
the point that the soldiers would
prefer to come to Washington, and
that there is no place in the country
in which the patriotism instilled into
them while in the service could be
better kept alive and encouraged
Good Educational Facilities.
Mr.. Seymour told the committee
that there, was in the city excellent
educational facilities WHICH could be
taken advantage of by those able
to do SO. and the possibility for en-
unequaled. The fact that
the local American League ball park
is thrown open free to the injured
veterans, that many people throw
their homes open to them. that the
theaters not infrequently admit them
free and on Sundays many churches
have scouts on the streets to invite
the men to suppers and entertain
ments shows the spirit of welcome
held out by the people here to the
veterans of the world war.
The committee of physicians con-
cluded its hearings today Of those
seeking hospitals in their respective
sections. After the data is thorough
ly examined, ana probably in some
cases the proposed sites inspected.
the committee will prepare its re-