Evening star., 1936-11-20
ABATTO|R IS HELD
HARMF Ill TOAREA
GaTIinger Superintendent Is
Concerned Over Plans
for Slaughter House.

Tor slaughter HOUSE.
Gallinger Municipal Hospital stands
a good mile. "as the crow flies" from
the site of washington's proposed
slaughter house district by the Ben
ming viaduct-a distance that would
be safely enough removed from the an
noyance of personal contact, but dis
agreeably close for the 1900 patients
and employees when an i'll wind blows
out of the northeast.
From the roof of the main Gall
finger building. Supt. Edgar c. Bo-
cock regarded the extensively de-
veloped hospital plant and acreage;
then, gazing frowningly across the
smooth Anacostia stream in the d.
rection of the existing Gobel stock
yards, he sighed regreatfully: They
might at least have chosen another
site for slaughter house, some place
O good distance outside the District" "
DR.. Bocock seemed more concerned
over the possible effects of a stock
yards nuisance on future plans for
the expansion and development Of
the city hospital than with the i'm
mediate present. He said that plans
are now being considered for the ex-
penditure of about $1,275,000 at Gal
linger Hospital for three new build
ings.
In good weather, the hospital su-
perintendent said that patients use
the roofs of the buildings and he
was worried over the inescapable
odors that would issue from the esti-
mated 5000 cattle. sheep and hogs
that would be penned on the Gobel
site If the District Commissioners
are circumvented in their efforts to
withhold a permit to rebuild the
abattoir. "A northeast wind would
surely remind us all that We have
slaughter house operations near our
back yard" he said.
Agrees With Officials.
Even with the greatly improved
projections afforded by modern pack
ing plants and meat rendering opera
tions, Dr. Bocock said he was in
agreement with District and Federal
officials who wish to keep such indus
tries out of the District now and in
the future.
The Northeast section has not had
its full share of city improvements in
the past, it is true" DR.. Bocock said,
"but right now there is being devel-
oped in this whole area along the
Anacostia one of the finest systems
of parks in the National Capital" d"
He pointed to the Fort Mahan Park,
which is only a short distance from
the Gobel plant. and the proposed site
of the East Capital street stadium,
which would be nearer the stock yards
than Gallinger.
Within the past decade. he ex-
planned, the site of Gallinger Hospital
has been changed from one of ugli-
ness to one of the finest in the Cap
ital, a matter in which he takes con-
siderable pride.
Before I grubbed out those acres
along the river for the hospital farm, "
DR.. Bocock said, "it was a regular
jungle" The acres stretched before
him In well-kept fields.
Ickes Backs ID. c. Move.
DR. Bocock, as the superintendent in
charge Of large institution. has even
more interest in its development than
Secretary OF the Interior Ickes, who
has allotted the hospital considerably
over 81, 900 900 in P. w. A. funds for
improvements The nearness of Gal
linger and Federal park Improvements,
over which he has Jurisdiction. is the
principal reason why Secretary Ickes
has gone so far as to intercede IN
behalf Of the District in the court
proceedings now pending to keep the
ebattoir out Of Washington.
The new Isolation building at Gal
linger, the most recent addition, was
opened September 1, 1885. 1t cost
100000. That was the first building
erected since the construction of the
nurses home at cost of 1926, 900 in
the Spring of 1882, DR.. Bocock said.
Other recent P. w. A. expenditures
involved 100000 for remodeling the
old building and $4,000 more for the
building of roads and improvement Of
the grounds.
I'VE are now working on plans for
o future program to consist Of $700,-
900 ward building, $425,000 ma
ternity building and a $150,000 home
for the doctors on the staff" he said.
"The construction of these buildings
will provide many jobs and greatly
improve this section of the city,
The improvements at Gallinger are
important to the residents of that i'm
mediate section Of the Northeast and
have converted in recent years one Of
the sore spots of Washington into a
well-planned and attractive area.
That improvement extends to the
banks of the Anacostia, which the
District and Federal governments now
gradually are retaining for park pur-
poses.
1T will be a distinct setback to such
developments" DR.. Bocock reasoned,
ito permit the establishment of
large packing plant anywhere near
them. For that reason, Gallinger
Hospital is hopeful that the District
will succeed in its efforts to keep the
Gobel company from rebuilding. Ger
tainly, in the event the Commission
ers are unable to do that. there should
be changes in the zoning regulations
that should serve as a future public
protection against nuisance indus
fries