Evening star., 1938-12-28
Collins 10 Talk
To D. T.. Officials
On Health Plan
Roosevelt Suggestions
To Be Pushed Prior
To Another PurIey

To Another PorIey
Chairman Ross Collins Of the
House Subcommittee on District APP
preparations, today planned confer
ences with District officials on de-
tails of an improvement program in
local health facilities recommended
to him yesterday by President Roose-
welt.
Mr.. Collins said he would confer in
the next few days with Ray L. Huff,
general superintendent of District
penal institutions, and Maj. Daniel
j. Donovan, auditor and budget Of
ficer, as preliminary to another
visit to the White House in a fort
night to report to the President.
The Presidents determination to
improve health conditions in the
Capital was expressed at a press
conference yesterday following his
talk with Mr.. Collins. The Chief
Executive had interrupted his study
Of grave foreign and internal affairs
to exchange ideas with the House
chairman on the local situation.
Mr.. Roosevelt cited Washington's
high death rate from tuberculosis in
explaining his views to reporters.
1t was said the President was inter-
ested in general in the bolstering Of
health facilities here and in partic-
ular in the National Training School
for Girls, scene of riots last year;
the Industrial Home School and the
enlargement of Freedmen's Hospital,
with wing for tubercular patients,
and additional nurses.
Representative Collins pointed
out that the additional nurses
the President believes are need
ed at Freedmen's Hospital is
problem for Secretary Ickes, since
the hospital is connected with
Howard University which is under
supervision of the Interior Depart
ment. He predicted, however, that
the 1910 Interior Department appro-
priation bill probably would carry
funds not only for the additional
nurses but for beginning construc-
tion of 150-bed tuberculosis hos
pital to be operated in connection
with Freedmen's Hospital.
Move Outside d. C. Possible.
To provide the accommodations
desired by the President for training
and caring for inmates OF the Ma
tional Training School for Girls and
the Industrial Home School, Repre-
sentative Collins expressed the opin-
ion that both of these institutions
would have to be moved out of the
District into Maryland or Virginia
where proper facilities could be pro-
vided for teaching the children in
dustrial arts and giving them an op-
portunity to work on farms. Mr..
Roosevelt, according to Representa-
tive Collins, believes these children
should be kept occupied and given
courses in vocational training in
stead OF being "penned up
Before working out the improve
ment program, Mr.. Collins said he
would not only confer with Mr.. Huff
and Auditor Donovan, but several
well-known authorities on correc-
tional activities. He will have re-
port ready for the President within
10 days when he is scheduled to re-
turn to the White House for another
conference on, according to Mr..
Collins, another subject"
What intend to co." Mr.. Collins
declared, "is to work out a program
as desired by the President in a very
satisfactory and economical way"
Health Officer George C. Rutland
some months ago requested appro-
priations for his department and the
agencies and services under it totaling
$3,143,032 for the next fiscal year. For
this year, the department receives
50, 400 PIP and in their estimates now
in the hands of the Budget Bureau,
the Commissioners recommended a
total of $2,511,032 If approved, this
figure would be s110,82O greater than
this years sum. In addition, the
Commissioners have agreed to
sponsor increased appropriations for
this year for the Glenn Dale tuber-
culosis sanitoria to permit the filling
of additional beds.
Aid of Officials Welcomed.
While not informed officially OF
the discussion at the White House,
DR.. Rutland said, I'VE are delighted
that the health needs of the District
are getting favorable attention in
high places.
IF Congress will continue to give
us the wherewithal, there is no doubt
we can develop health services here
representing the best practices, and,
still more important, we undoubtedly
can save human lives and wipe out
the tuberculosis blot.
1T is just question of money"
Asked to state what he regarded
as some of the most immediate needs
OF the District health service, DR..
Rutland listed the following:
l. More health centers, or poly
clinics, regional clinics designed to
bring service closer to the needy
patients. Funds for the construc-
ton of the first of proposed series,
to be located in Southwest Washing
ton, now are available. DR.. Rub.
land seeks funds for the construc-
ton of a second in the Lower North
west section, but these were not
requested in the Commissioners esti-
mates for the fiscal year beginning
July I,
2. More personnel, including nurses
and other trained workers for the
various hospitals and clinics.
3. Better housing for the head
(See HEALTH, Page A-5O