Evening star., 1940-01-12
Mrs. Roosevelt Told
Of Health Problems
And Gains in D. {.

~ ssUIss sSNsVsstO
And Gains in D. {.
Accompanies Women on
Department Tour; Learns
Of CopitoI's Interest
The Districts health program
and problems were outlined to Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt yesterday
when she made an inspection tour
Of the Health Department accom-
panied by a group Of women DEM
ocrats.
Mrs. Roosevelt, herself, asked
pointed questions as to whether
members Of Congress. not being per-
manent residents of the District,
were sufficiently informed as to the
health problems Of the National
Capital-and they came through
with flying colors in the testimony
Of DR.. Daniel l.. Seckinger, assistant
health off1cer.
DR.. Seckinger, acting as host in
the absence from tho city Of Health
Omcer George c. Ruhland, declared
he had found a general interest
among members Of Congress-, and
that members Of appropriation COM
mittees, handling District budget
requests, had way Of ascertaining
the facts.
THAT" said Mrs. Roosevelt, "is
quite a tribute" adding that some
thing less might be expected under
the Districts peculiar" form Of
government, with representatives
from the States, who do not regard
Washington as their "home city,"
acting as the legislature for the
National Capital.
Report Progress.
The visiting group closely ques-
toned DR.. Seckinger as to the vari-
GUS programs and problems and was
told that while the District health
record still is not as good as it should
be, progress was being made In re-
ducing mortality rates and in ex-
tending services to the needy.
The visit, arranged by Mrs.
Thomas F.. McAllister, chairman of
the Women's Division of the Ma
tional Democratic Committee, was
said to be the beginning of a ma
tional program to spread public in
formation as to local problems, so
that the public would be able to
vote more inteliigently on policies
Of government. In addition to Mrs.
McAllister, those accompanying Mrs.
Roosevelt included the following
wives of members Of Congress: Mrs.
herman p. Eberharter, whose hus-
band is Pennsylvania Representa-
tive; Mrs. Frank E. Hook, Michi-
gan; Mrs. John r. Murdock, Ari-
zona; Mrs. John E. Rankin, Mis-
sissippi, and Mrs. Jerry Voorhis,
California.
Reference was made to the pend
Ing 194l District budget. This car
ries requests for an outlay of ST.
574, 200 for the Health Department
services, as recommended by the
Federal Budget Bureau. This would
be an increase Of $685. $40 over ap-
propriations for the current year.
DR.. Rutland had asked for an in
crease Of more than $1,000. 900 and
the Commissioners had recon-
mended an increase Of $127 ,o9s.
Several Items Deleted.
Missing from the budget now be-
fore Congress are Health Depart
ment proposals for funds for estab-
lshment Of mental hyyiene bureau
in the department, for construction
Of q new children's ward building
at Gallinger Hospital, a. well as
stan houses and q new hospital
laboratory, and . greater outlay for
personnel for the hospital and for
the District Tuberculosis Sanatoria
at Glenn DALE, Nd, than were
granted by the Commissioners and
the Budget Bureau.
Mrs. Roosevelt, who displayed q
keen interest In details Of the Dis
trict health problems and programs,
asked DR.. seckinger to state what
shortages there were In care.
He replied that the hospital bed
situation now was ACUTE" but de-
clared that this situation would be
relieved with completion next sum-
mer Of the two new buildings at
Gallinger, which will provide some
$50 additional beds. This construc-
ton Is being done under Districts
P. w. A. program.
He added that one Of the most
pressing problems was that of tuber-
culosis. Questions from Mrs. Roose-
welt brought out that the ratio Of
known patients is about four to one
Tor colored as against white persons.
He said there is q waiting list for
tuberculosis patients.
Constant Menace" Cited.
you have then a constant menace
m the community from these cases
that you cannot place In hospitals?"
asked Mrs. Roosevelt.
THAT is right" said DR.. Seckinger.
Developing this subject, DR.. Seek
nger sp ~Ss Of the need for an ade-
quate number Of public health
nurses, to ind tuberculosis patients.
and declared that while standards
dxed by medical authorities would
call for 800 such nurses for a city Of
the size OF washington, the District
now had but some $50 nurses.
This means" said Mrs. Roosevelt.
that you have no way to get in
formation to the population who
need 1t. and this adds to the health
problem Of the city. You have been
making study Of what you can
pick up from spoons, knives, plates
and so forth in restaurants. Every
one OF these people may be carry
Ing tuberculosis to you at any time"
Dr. Seckinger agreed.
During questioning as to whether
Congress is making suficient health
appropriations, DR.. Seckinger said