Evening star., 1937-11-26
Freedlllen's
Continued From First Page

requested that we secure his services
as q hospital administrative con-
sultant, which I have arranged to do.
1t is expected that Mr. Mackenzie will
commerce his survey of Freedmen's
Hospital on December l, 1887"
Interior Department officials said
the attitude in the survey ordered is
not one of criticism directed toward
conditions at the hospital but q "mu-
tual desire" to bring about improved
service generally through co-opera-
ton of all concerned No one person
is responsible for existing conditions
it was said.
The Budget Bureau today declined
to make any comment on a purported
report on Gallinger Hospital sweep
ingly critical of administrative, per-
sonnel and even sanitary conditions
at Gallinger Hospital which has been
under fire for some time. The bureau
declined to admit or deny there was
such a report, which is supposed TO
have been prepared by Mr.. Mac
KenZie.
Meanwhile, publication of the pur-
ported report stirred indignation
among the physicians and nurses at
Gallinger Hospital. A meeting was
called for this afternoon to discuss
measures to be taken toward refuting
rumors that the report charged "mem-
bers of the inferno staff smoked in the
wards and petted with girls of the
hospital personnel on duty
Chairman Palmisano of the House
District Committee declared today So
luton of the Gallinger Hospital prob
lem lies in the adoption of his plan to
give the Commissioners complete con-
troll over municipal finances.
Several months ago Mr.. Palmisano
directed Corporation Counsel Seal to
draft a bill removing budget control
from both Congress and the Federal
Budget Bureau.
Gallinger Report.
From q cursory examination of re-
ports of conditions at Gallinger. Mr..
Palmisano said he believed the trouble
Is due entirely to the lack of adequate
appropriations to make the necessary
improvements at the institution and to
give 1t an adequate staff.
If Congress gives the Commits
sioners direct control over the District
budget" he declared, they will no
longer have an alibi that Congress
refused to provide adequate appro-
priations for the hospital or any other
District institution"
Mr.. Palmisano said it is unlikely
MS committee would consider the Gal
L.ager problem, since it had no contral
Whatever over the District appropria-
ton bill. He said he believed the
problem now is one for the Subcom-
mittee on Appropriations to solve.
In his report on Freedmens Hospital.
DR.. Jones said today 5,587 indoor pa
tentS were under treatment during the
year, an increase of 524 over the pre-
Vlous year. OF these $50 were private
or pay patients, 2,705 were District of
Columbia indigents and zoos were in
digents brought in from all sections
OF the country.
In addition, 828 babies were born
there; 1885 major operations per-
formed. 1888 emergency cases treated.
1,341 ambulance calls made and 36.Ol5
visits were made to the outdoor clinics.
An increase in the clerical force also
was recommended As absolutely nee
essary If proper hospital records are
to be kept and the administration of
the hospital efficiently maintained"
The handicap Of the Social Service
Department also grows more acute"
and at least two additional social
agency workers are needed If the de-
partment is to function efficiently.
THE housekeeping and dietary de-
partments are woefully undermined, /"
DR.. Jones reported. More employees
are needed to keep the hospital in .
proper state Of cleanliness"
Ambulance drivers are frequently