Evening star., 1937-05-18
The Naval Medical Center.

Today the Committee on Naval Al.
fairs Of the House Of Representatives Is
visiting the Naval Hospital in this city
for the purpose of determining whether
the proposed new naval medical center
should be located on the present site
or placed elsewhere. This problem in
wolves various considerations, but Of
one fact there can be no question. That
is that provision should be made at once
for the erection Of an adequate hospital
structure or group OF structures In re-
placement Of the present old and al
together unsuitable establishment.
At hearing on the question Of the
development OF the old hospital on the
present site or the establishment Of Z
medical center elsewhere, held yesterday,
Surgeon General Rossiter urged the lat
ter course, pointing out that the old
site is too restricted for suitable estab-
lishment, with no assured space for
future enlargement. He also stated that
owing to the deterioration Of the build
ings OF wartime construction, the bed
capacity has had to be reduced from
600 to less than 200, 4 depletion OF ac-
commodations that creates grave situa-
ton.
Apart from the urgent need Of i'm
mediate new hospital facilities, wherever
the institution is located, decision should
be speedy on the point of whether the
present site or another should be used.
The surgeon general is definitely op-
posed to that site, pointing out its in
adequacy and the unsatisfactory sur
roundings which initiate against the
proper administration OF such An in
stitution.
1t is contemplated that in the execu-
ton Of Government building plans, pro-
vision will eventually be made-and it
should be very soon-for the construc-
ton Of = proper permanent home for
the Navy Department, now housed in
one Of the wartime Munitions Build
ings" south OF Constitution avenue.
Tentatively, the site at present occupied
by the Naval Hospital has been con-
sidered the most suitable of all, and It
is now urged that provision should be
made as soon as the state OF the Gov
ernment finances permit to proceed with
the designing and erection OF such Z
structure
1t was at one time proposed that the
Navy Department structure, or group Of
buildings If more than one were decided
upon, should include the hospital. This,
however, has met with no favor. A
combination, even in separated buildings,
Of = departmental ONCE headquarters
and medical center and hospital would
be in every respect undesirable.
While the physical conditions Of the
area where the Naval Hospital now
stands have greatly improved in recent
years, the location Is not now and can
never be made suitable for the mainte-
nance of an institution for the care
and treatment Of sick persons, in the
judgment of the surgeon general. He
holds that 1t should have . suburban
location, where quiet Is assured and
where growth is possible In the years to
come.
This question has been pending long
enough. It should be settled now in
favor Of ample provisions for the &C.
quirement Of site Of proper sise, With
possibly an assurance OF additional space
in later years and for the construction
Of medical center with the best equip
ment as speedily Is the work can be
undertaken and completed.