Evening star., 1934-04-20
DRASTIC CHANGES
ASKED IN PROBE
OF TUBERCULOSIS
Fowler Disagrees With Ma.
jority of Committee on
FulI-Time Officer.
SAYS RESPONSIBILITY
WOULD BE DIVIDED
Extensive Enlargement of Facili.
ties for Fighting Disease
Is Recommended,

Extensive enlargement of the Dis
trict's facilities for fighting tuber-
culosiS, and drastic reorganization of
the Health Department were recon-
mended to the District Commissioners
today in majority report of their
Special tuberculosis Investigating
Committee.
Health Officer William G. Fowler,
chairman OF the committee, disagreed
with the recommendations and sub
mitted a minority report, recon-
mending considerable expansion OF
the city's tuberculosis facilities, but
taking sharp issue on numerous
recommendations which he contended
would deprive the health officer OF
control.
The principal recommendation OF
the committee, with which he dis
agreed, was for the employment of a
full-time tuberculosis officer in the
Health Department who as he inter-
preted 1t, would have such complete
control over the situation as to sub
ordinate the health officer.
Five Specific Points.
Specifically, the majority report
called for:
l. Appointment of full-time tuber-
culosis officer, who would have entire
charge Of the initiation of plans, ad-
ministration of clinics and have au-
thority to coordinate hospital and
nursing activities of the city.
2. Appointment of an advisory
board on tuberculosis. consisting Of
the heads of the tuberculosis Hos
pital, Childrens tuberculosis Sana-
torium and Gallingher Hospital and
the president Of the Association for
the Prevention of tuberculosis in the
District, a member Of the Medical
Society of the District of Columbia
and a member of the Medico- Chirurg-
ical Society of the District.
3. Erection of a new 500-bed adult
tuberculosis sanatorium
4. Provision of an adequate free
tuberculosis clinic.
tive visiting nurse service. the COM
mittee holding that Washington
should have at least $50 such nurses.
each skilled in home care Of tubercu-
losis as we'll as other diseases.
Details Are Supplied.
Each of the recommendations was
supported by detailed justifications.
The majority report bore the sigma
lures of DR.. William Charles White,
president of the tuberculosis Associa-
ton; DR.. Prentiss Wilson. president
of the Medical Society; DR.. J. Win
throp Peabody, superintendent of Dis
trict tuberculosis institutions: DR.. H.
]. Crosson, member of the Board of
Public Welfare, and DR.. F. c. Smith
of the United States Public Health
Service.
In his lengthy minority report DR..
Fowler said If all health activities
in connection with tuberculosis were
centered in a full-time tuberculosis
officer in the health department it
would take from the health officer the
right to supervise the work OF the
proposed new officer. He contended
there should be no room for divided
authority. He argued it would make
the health officer subordinate to the
tuberculosis officer on matters. He
said such an arrangement could only
result in disagreement, even in prepa-
ration of budget estimates for the
health department.
Fowler agreed there should be a
full-time tuberculosis officer, but in
sisted he must serve under direction
Of the health officer. He said he was
not in agreement on the employment
Of a supervisory board "in which, as
recommended, the health officer is en-
tirely ignored and practically all other
agencies represented"
The health officer also disagreed
with the majority reports recommend
alton that the tuberculosis clinic be
Continued on Page 2, Column g.