Evening star., 1935-06-09
Budget Bureaus Approval
Held Only Chance to Re-
lieve Situation.
THOMAS OF OKLAHOMA
PRESENTS SUGGESTION
Next Deficiency Appropriation
Bill Would Garry $93 900 for
D. C. Under Plan.

Approval by the Budget Bureau Of
a supplemental estimate of $4,000
or less in the next deficiency appro-
priation bill to give the District
Health Department sufficient funds to
combat the spread of contagious dis
eases was regarded yesterday as the
only hope of relieving situation in
Washington described by physicians
as IAN emergency"
Somehow, somewhere, we'll get
this money" DR.. George c. Rutland,
the new health officer of the District,
asserted. We've got to get it
In fighting mood, Dr.. Rutland re-
fused to admit his first defeat at the
hands of Congress, which reduced
Health Department funds by $4,000
for the 1896 fiscal year TO cripple his
health nursing service and threaten
81 full-time employees with a 15-day
payleSs furlough.
Supplemental Estimate Proposed.
From Senator Thomas Of Oklahoma
yesterday came the suggestion that the
only way to meet the situation was
10 obtain approval of a supplemental
estimate from the Budget Bureau. IF
it is possible TO get that approval" he
said. there should not be much diff
Guilty in having the amount needed
covered in the deficiency bill. With
out budget approval. however, / don't
believe it will be possible
Senator Thomas vas chairman Of
the Senate Appropriations Subcom-
nj niah ha,,l1aI tho frir hill
and which incorporated in the Senate
| bill the urgent request of DR.. Ruh-
land for additional funds. While the
Senate conferees fought hard to re-
tain the item in conference. they were
compelled to yield under pressure from
the House.
Encouraged by repeated assurances
OF support from the Medical Society
and various civic organizations which
poured in upon him yesterday. DR..
Rutland conferred with Commissioner
George E. Allen and sought help from
District friends at the Capitol Sen
ator Royal S. Copeland of New York.
who fully realizes the need for lower
ing an alarming death rate in Wash
ngton. is sympathetic toward the
movement to obtain additional Health
Department funds.
Consider Matter Further.
DR.. Rutland and Commissioner Al
len will consider the matter further
IN the hope of being able possibly to
submit a supplemental estimate to the
budget in time. The original esti-
mate for S93. 1000 was inserted in the
District bill without going through
buoget channels. For that reason,
the House conferees succeeded in
knocking it out.
believe, personally" DR.. Rutland
said yesterday. that those who denied
the funds failed to understand the
grave consequences involved" White
not hopeful of obtaining the needed
funds. the health officer is determined
nevertheless to continue fighting.
Because of his small budget, he said
II would be necessary to reorganize the
health department this Summer.
He Will conduct too, what he calls
an educational campaign" to ac-
quaint members of Congress with the
problems of contagious diseases tie
halting of which he declared was abb
solutely necessary to safeguard the
lives and health Of Washington res
1dents. He particularly criticised the
tubercular death rate among colored
residents. claiming the lack of sufi-
cient trained nurses to go into the
homes provided a real menace 20 the
city.
Hope for Appeal to Roosevelt.
The health department is hopeful
that the Medical Society of the Dis
trlct will carry its appeal direct to
President Roosevelt. although he
thinks little will come from this move.
He was of the opinion that Congress,
having decided the matter, will let
it rest where 1t stands. There is little
doubt, however, that a last-moment
appeal will be made to the budget
director.
Lack of money to hire additional
nurses, he declared. will greatly han
dlcap the good that can be derived
from the new Children's tuberculosis
Sanatorium. He said it was "incon-
ceivable" that Congress should reduce
(See HEALTH, Page B-2)