Evening star., 1923-02-20
CASUALTY BOARD
IGNORES THREAT
OF NURSES STRIKE
Refuses to Reinstate Super
intendent and Leaves Walk
out Up to Employees.

The executive committee of the
board of Casualty Hospital today re-
fused favorable action on the petit
ton of the nurses and employees to
reinstate former Supt. Raymond
Schulteis to the hospital, in the face
of a threat from nurses and employees to
walk out on strike tomorrow night. The
board made 1t optional with the en-
ployes to strike or not.
Announcement of this action was
made following a meeting of almost
two hours in the doctors residence at
Casualty Hospital by Chairman Evan
H. Tucker Of the committee. who said
the committee could not find its way
clear to reverse the action taken
after an investigation of six hours
few days ago. when 1t was decided
to ask for the resignation of Mr..
Schulteis.
He said that IL the nurses desired
If they wished to leave the hospital
the board would find ways and means
for meeting the situation.
A committee Of three was named 10
inform attaches who had signed the
petition demanding reinstatement OF
the superintendent Of the action OF the
committee. Seven of these had already
announced their desire to Withdraw
their names.
After the meeting Dr., Lewis A.
Taylor, executive offcer OF the nos
pital, together with other ofncials.
them OF the action OF the. committee
upon the petition. Many failed to put
in an appearance.
The petition vas circulated a. n,,.ass and 3
signed YESTERDAY by two S,sn;,s1 dozen nurses Is
an outgro~th Of the request by the
board for the resignation of Schuiteis,
after an Investigation into reports OF
bootlegging practices at the hospital
a few days ago and the resultant &C. &C.
connection with the hospital.
Petition Handed In.
DR.. Lewis A. Taylor. executive offi-
Ger of the hospital. was handed the pc
tition yesterday on behalf Of the nurses
and employees. ALI Of them had not
signed it. Those who had affixed their
signatures, however. during the early
part Of the petition expressed their
sincere confidence in Mr.. Schulteis and
regret for his resignation. The petition
in its last paragraph announced that
those signing 1t would go on strike and
leave the hospital unless favorable ac-
ton was forthcoming and Schulteis was
restored to his office.
Upon receiving this petition Dr.
Taylor pointed out to- some OF the
nurses and employees that 1t was en-
tirely against the ethics OF the medi-
cal profession to lay down threat
of deserting sick and helpless pa,
tients in order to satisfy personal
desire. He showed them that II such
signing it would be PERSONA non
grata in the medical profession
wherever this was known:
He held out a loophole. however. by
announcing that he would welcome
graph threatening strike before noon
today, and it Is understood that a
number of the nurses have already
signified their intention Of withdraw
ing such a provision.
perintendent Of the hospital and
formerly supervisor of nurses a,
weAs Were faced With situation Of
shortage OF nurses she felt assured
that she could obtain assistance
from other hospitals In Washington
by a transfer of their nurses to
Casualty Hospital. She expressed
no fear Of the results Of any strike
Aid From other Hospitals.
Mr.. Tucker, chairman Of the COM
mittee. takes practically the same
attitude.
IT am sure" he said. that other
hospitals In Washington would no,
hesitate a moment in sending nurses
to an institution in which there was
a serious shortage of attendants. ]
do not know what the final action
of the committee will be. but I can
assure you that we will continue
our policy Of prompt and decisive
action.
'It was only at the last meeting OF
the board that Mr.. Schulteis was
complimented for his administration
of the affairs of the hospital. This
unfortunate incident arose and the
executive committee of the board
which acts for the entire board be-
tween sessions. felt that prompt ac.
ton was necessary, and took It, This
was about week after the compli-
mentary statement was extended to
Mr.. Schulteis.., Our action was taken
after an Investigation consuming SIX
and complete. OF course. IL the
nurses and employees feel that they
have additional evidence to present
we should welcome such a presenta.
ton Of data, but under no considera.
ton can we allow a threat of deser.
tion of those sick and helpless In tha
hospital to go unnoticed."
Fight for Seven Years.
Casualty Hospital at the time OF
this chain OF Incidents has been run.
ming more smoothly and with create,
eficiency than at any time in its his.
tory. After fight for seven year.
the school for nurses at the hospita'
has finally received the power of con.
ferring the decree OF registered nurse or
graduates. Heretofore. although thu
nurses at Casualty had made name,
for themselves In other institutions
after graduation, Mr. Tucker M IA