Evening star., 1936-02-17
BLANTON DEFIANT
AT HEALTH RALLY
Offers to Fight Any Doctor
Back Stage-Drive for
Funds Is Mapped.

Subcommittee on District ApprOprla-
tionS, appeared Unexpectedly at the |
meeting and asked permission to speak. |
This was granted, and he then ac- |
cused physicians employed by the |
municipal government of neglecting |
their public duties to promote their |
private practices. He also said the |
physicians were making lack of |
money an excuse for not doing better
Job in Washington.
Then he turned to the presiding
physician on the stage and inquired:
Don't you think that in holding
this meeting you are admitting the
doctors have not done a good job
here? Otherwise the death rate would
not be so high"
After adjournment, angry members
of the District Medical Society crowd
ed around Blanon on the stage and
demanded an explanation of his re-
marks.
That's the most asinine statement
I ever heard anybody make, much
less a Congressman" DR.. William H.
Hough said Indignantly.
Blanton demanded an apology. DR..
Hough refused.
While other doctors indicated their
agreement, Blanton, flushed and
angry, shouted:
That's an insult. Don't you fellows
gang up on me. I'll take on any one
of you doctors if you'll step behind
this stage"
None of the doctors accepted the
challenge, and Blanton then demanded
an apology of the physician who had
said his statement was asinine. The
latter, however, stood his ground and
refused to retract the statement.
Rabbi Abram Simon of the Wash
ington Hebrew Congregation then
stepped in and quieted the group.
Officers of the medical society said
doctors in public health service who
devote spare time to private practice
are employed on a part-time basis.
I'VE would be very glad to see full
time doctors in public health work If
Mr.. Blanton's committee will appro-
pirate money to pay their salaries"
one official said.
Those attending the meeting alter
nately hiSSed and laughed at Blanton's
critical remarks. Blanton entered un-
announced and sat down in the rear
of the room. Then he sent up note,
asking permission to address the meet
ing. This was done after Rabbi ST.
mon had said:
THE District Commissioners we're
compelled to cut their health appro-
priation recommendations to the
naked bone. After that the Budget
Bureau took the very marrow out Of
the bone Our part is not to quar-
rel with Congress, but to petition that
body, saying. For Gods sake put some
meat back on the bonef %
Kisses Drown Words.
When Rabbi Simon, who was chair
man of the meeting, invited Mr.. Blan-
ton to speak, the Representatives
words we're drowned out several times
by Misses after he made a sighting
remark about the medical profession
in Washington and denied that any
urgent need exists for more health
funds.
Rabbi Simon informed the Repre-
sentative he asked him to speak in
q spirit of good will and laughingly
remarked that mot a doctor here
has a hypodermic needle"
An audience which comfortably
filled the big Central High School
auditorium strained forward when
Blanton took the floor. Blanton be-
gan by telling joke and assuring
his listeners of his deep sympathy
for the needs of the District.
Il have deep and vital interest
IN securing adequate funds for the
public health needs of the District"
he said. MY interest is a personal
one. My four sons and daughter are
graduates of this high school in which
we are gathered.
My family and I feel that Wash
1ngton is almost our native city. The
most sacred sentiments of Washing
ton are 1nstilled in my heart"
Letters Read.
Blanton then read a letter he hal
sent to a morning newspaper in
which he protested against a story
which reputed dilatory tactics to
Blanton's committee in the hearing
OF citizens interested in larger health
appropriations.
Previously letter had been read
oy DR.. Prentiss Wilson from the
Alumni Association of Gallinger Hos
pital nurses in which appalling con-
oltlons under which student nurses
must get their training were de-
scribed.
Referring to the nurses who had
written the letter. Blanton said: .I
want to say to those good nurses who
are so overworked that if they would
WORK harder and complain less the
best doctors of this city would choose
them first when jobs were to be
handed out" This statement was fol-
lowed by Kisses in which joined sew
eral scores Of nurses in uniform.
serving as ushers.
Blanton ridiculed the assertion of
physicians that shortage of beds
for tubercular patients will exist if
the old tuberculosis Hospital on Up
shur street is closed when the new
hospital is opened, as recommended
by the Budget Bureau. The speaker
declared that there are now three
vacant beds in the children's tuber-
cuiar ward at Gallinger Hospital.
Mrs. Grant Disputes Blanton.
A fiat denial was made today of
Blanton's contention that there are
enough, or even too many beds for
child tubercular patients in the Dis
trict, by Mrs. Ernest r. Grant, ex-
ecutive secretary of the tuberculosis
Association of the District.
Mrs. Grant said there are three un-
filled beds at Glenn Dale Hospital,
due to the fact that young patients
could not be moved to the hospital in
ambulances because doctors were wait
ing until the icy streets are safe and
the weather moderates somewhat.
Mrs. Grant explained that 81 chill
dren are now on the waiting list, in
cluding 36 at the Central Admitting