The Washington times., 1938-12-28
RUTLAND MAPS
PLAN TO SPEED
D. C. CLEANUP
Sees Presidents Aid
InSuring Victory

Obviously elated over White
House support, DR.. George c.
Rutland, District Health Officer,
prepared today to renew his re-
quests for funds he says are neces-
sary for construction and In
creased personnel under a wide
spread program for health better
ment.
Informed President Roosevelt is
deeply concerned about health
problems here, DR.. Rutland said
he was delighted" and asserted:
There Is no doubt we can
make the National Capital what
It should be from the health
standpoint"
DR.. Ruhland will probably lay
his health program directly before
Representative Ross Collins Cd
Of Mississippi, who as chairman Of
the subcommittee on District ap-
preparations was summoned to
the White House yesterday to
hear the President personally
criticize the state Of the Capitals
health.
Certain to be included in the
program will be measures to cor
rect what the President termed a
marked shortage Of nurses at
Freedmen'S Hospital.
Also at FreedmenS is planned
tuberculosis hospital to be oper-
ated in connections with Howard
University Medical School.
CONFERS WITH ICKES
DR.. Rutland said he had con-
ferred with Interior Secretary
IckeS on this project pointing out
it would relieve q portion OF the
pressure of colored patients who
tax the tuberculosis facilities OF
other hospitals.
In addition, Rhuland said he en-
phasized the opportunity colored
physicians and medical students
would have in direct observation Of
tuberculosis cases in the proposed
150-bed wing. Between SO and so
per cent Of the country'S colored
doctors, he estimated. are Howard
graduates.
The National Training School
for Girls was another institution
with which the President indicated
he is not satisfied. The training
school is under the jurisdiction Of
the Board Of Public Welfare, but
the health Of its inmates as a
community problem is supervised
by DR.. Ruhland'S department.
FLAYED BY FIRST LADY
Mrs. Roosevelt, it was recalled,
visited the school two years ago
and said she found it "barbarouS"
and medieval"
The President cited the Districts
high tuberculosis and mortality
rates as indicative that medical
care here could be more adequate.
simultaneously, the health de-
partment stated some improve
ment was evident so far this year.
For the first II months, it re-
ported, deaths from all causes de-
creased by TIL from the total for
the same period of 1887. Cancer
took 1893 lives as compared with
816 last year, tuberculosis deaths
declined to 531 from a 1887 fig
ure Of 544, while pneumonia deaths
totaled 495 as against TOT last
year.
THREE CENTERS SOUGHT
DR.. Ruhland said in view Of the
White House attitude he is hope
full Congress will authorize con-
struction of about three more
health centers where the INDECENT
in thickly populated areas can pro
cure convenient treatment. One
such institution has been author
lied already. It Is to be located
in the Southwest section. one Of
the areas where disease records
are highest.
Although Collins would not dis
cuSS his conference with the PreSi-
dent, the MiSSisSippian said he
will confer in the next few days
with Ray L. Huff, general super
intendent of District penal insti-
tutionS, and District Auditor Dan
lei ]. Donovan, on plans for i'm
proVementS at the National Train
ing School for Girls and the In
dustrial Home School, as well as on
general health conditions.
Collins said he hoped to have a
report ready for the President
when he sees him again, perhaps
in two weeks.
what I intend to do" he said,
'iS to work out a program as
desired by the President in a
very satisfactory and economical
way"