Evening star., 1936-02-13
Meeting
Continued From First Page)

become aware OF JLlS WneH IHe HEEL
ing is held, if not sooner"
Thomas Ellis Lodge, president OF
the Federation of Citizens Asocia-
tions, said "as I understand it. the
only purpose of the mass meeting is
to develop the facts and fully inform
the public.
"I am sure there is no intention
to coerce or criticize anybody. I hope
the meeting will be able to develop
the facts and present them for the
consideration of the authorities who
must eventually decide upon the mat
ter of health appropriations for the
District"
Chairman Norton of the House Dis
trict Committee was not at the Capt.
tol today, owing to a severe cold, but
she frequently has expressed her ap-
proval of discussion by responsible
organizations of matters of public in
terest which are before Congress for
legislation.
Dirksen Favors Meeting.
Representative Everett r. Dirksen
of Illinois, ranking Republican on the
House District Committee, spoke with
appreciation today of the mass meeting
commencing the civic and professional
zeal to have proper safeguards and
generally to improve the public health.
He said it was extremely gratifying to
find an association of the representa-
tive doctors of the District taking an
active part In such an effort for pro-
motion of public health. I'VE beat out
our problems on the anvil of discus
sion and controversy" he said. quite
often constructive ideas are developed
which rebound to the benefit of the
District and community. Such mass
meeting as is called for next Sunday
carries out our American tradition of
free and open discussion of problems
of public interest"
Favors Adequate Funds.
without any knowledge of the
facts of the case" said Representa-
tive Palmisano, Democrat, of Mary
land and vice chairman of the House
District Committee, Il believe the
Health Department and all other Dis
trict departments should get adequate
appropriations.
THE whole situation could be solved
if Congress would permit the Com
missioners to dispense the Districts
tax revenues. That money belongs to
the people of the District and should
be expended by their constituted au-
thority without any interference by
Congress.
It do believe, however. that Congress
should retain control over the amount
contributed by the Federal Govern
ment toward the expenses Of the Dis
trict."
Reed Approves Meeting.
Representative Reed, Republican, Of
Illinois, another member of the House
District Committee. expressed his
hearty approval of the meeting. Il was
very pleased two years ago when the
the pharmacists, the den
fists and the nurses in one OF the
counties of my congressional district
held a meeting in which matters OF
legislation affecting public health
were fully discussed by all OF these
groups and recommendations madee
by them were given to me as Con-
elect. While I was not
pledged or obliged to follow these rec
they were certainly
helpful"
Representative Wood, Democrat, OF
Missouri, another member of the Dis
trict Committee, also indorsed the
for increased funds for the
Health Department.
"Of course" he declared, amy one
would favor adequate and necessary
appropriation for g. Health Depart
ment."
Senators Aid Fight.
Two members of the Senate Dis
trict Committee today expressed agree
ment with the aims Of the physicians
and civic leaders who have called a
public mass meeting for Sunday aft
ernoon to protest against inadequate
appropriations for the Public Welfare
Department.
Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trict Committee said IAN adequate
amount should be allowed for the
health needs of Washington. It would
be better to curtail expenditures In
other directions than to permit pub
Lie health facilities to be reduced"
Senator King explained that while he
could not as yet estimate what sum
was adequate" he expected to study
the matter further before the measure
comes up for action.
Senator Copeland Of New York, for
years a champion of larger health
appropriations for Washington, ex-
pressed perfect sympathy" with plans
for the mass meeting and pledged
himself to fight for a larger health
appropriation.
"Of course, we're not spending
enough" Senator Copeland said. II
intend to keep up the battle until the
Capital gets the appropriations 1t
should have for hospitals, tuberculosis
and all other public health activities. /"
The Senator, who is a former health
commissioner of New York. said he
had received an invitation to attend
the mass meeting, set for pm. Sum
day in Central High School audi
torium. but felt he should decline be-
cause Of his position as q member Of
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