Evening star., 1939-06-06
$49,524,895
D. T.. Bill Now
UptoConferees
Lump-Sum Boost
Has Approval
Of Senate

Carrying the Senate's stamp of
approval, the 1910 District supply
bill, with its total raised to $49,524,-
S95 and the Federal lump sum share
increased from $5,000000 to ST.
100000. today awaits appointment
of Conferees who will hold the final
fate of the various Senate changes.
The next development will come
in the House, on the customary
motion to send the Senate amend
ments to conference.
jor items that added S2607.77
to the bill for school buildings, a
broader relief program, child well
fare and other improvements went
: through the Senate without opposi-
ton, but the Appropriation Com
mittee's effort to cut $1,000 from
the salary of Health Officer Ruh-
land stirred up a controversy that
ended in victory for DR.. Rutland
A similar $1,000 cut for Assistant
Health Officer Seckinger also was
restored, after Senator La Fol-
lette, Progressive of Wisconsin, had
charged the amendment was an
attempt to discipline DR.. Rutland
as an aftermath of the recent con-
troversy over control of Gallinger
Hospital, as between resident physi-
clans and the visiting staff from
two local universities.
Rutland Sees Endorsement.
Allah be praised" said the health
officer. upon learning the Senate
to bring his salary down to $500,
and DR.. Seckinger's down to $500
DR.. Rutland added that he re-
garded the Senate action as an
Endorsement of a health admins
tration which is attempting to
care for the INDECENT sick Both
DR.. Rutland and DR.. Seckinger
expressed qualification at the out
come.
The debate developed that the re-
ductions we're proposed by Chair
man Glass of the Appropriation
Committee, but he was prevented by
sickness from being present. and
the events leading up to the commit
tees action were explained by Sena-
tor Overton of Louisiana, in charge
Of the bill, and by Senator Mcclellan
of Tennessee, ranking democratic
member
Senator McKellar also offered an
amendment for Senator Glass, pro-
posing to reduce the salaries Of the
five resident physicians at Gallinser
from $500 to $4,000, but this like
wise was rejected by the Senate.
Overton Explains.
Asked at the outset by Senator
La Toilette why DR.. Ruhlsnd's sal
sry was being recommended ior re-
duction, Senator Overton, after ex-
planning it was proposed by Senator
Glass. added:
Wisconsin that back of it is, first.
the statement that the predecessor
of the present health officer received
salary of $500.
"As the Senator from Wisconsin
knows. under the administration of
the present health officer there was
considerable trouble with reference
to Gallinger Hospital. Happily all
that trouble has been ended by an
agreement which was entered into
between the Commissioners and the
health officer and the two univers-
tiles. Under the new agreement
matters are proceeding very nicely
at Gallinger Hospital, and there is
no more friction; but as result of
all this the suggestion was made that
the salary be reduced"
Senator La Toilette replied that
he was not prepared to pass judg-
ment on the controversy, but con-
tended 1T is a procedure the Senate
itself should not confirm to take
disciplinary action against an officer,
but at the same time permit him to
remain in Office, reducing his salary
because some member OF the Appro-
priations Committee did not approve
of what he has done in the particu-
lar premises"
Aside from the dispute over DR..
Rutland, Senator La Toilette as
serted that "Gallinger Hospital has
been a starved institution
Meager Facilities Cited.
Il venture the assertion that
there is not city of comparable
Size 10 washington Ill Ile OHlteu
States which has such meager IA
cilities for a municipal hospital,
which receives less money Senator
La Toilette continued. yet, here
in the District, which, in my opin-
ion. should be a model community,
the step which is taken here is first
to reduce the salary of public
health officer and his assistant, and
secondly to reduce the salaries of
doctors who are on duty in Gal
linger Hospital"
Senator McKellar said he thought
the Senate owed it to the chairman
Of the committee. who had taken
an active part in the matter, to
"a accept the amendments and let
them be settled finally in confer
ence
Senator La Toilette insisted, how
ever, even if Dr. Rutland has
made many mistakes. that this is
: not the way in which to try the
case"
Senator La Toilette said DR.. Ruh-
land would have no opportunity to
be present when the bill gets into
conference. Senator McKellar said
DR.. Rutland had appeared before
the subcommittee and that his tes-
.tlmony would be available
49,