Evening star., 1941-12-05
House Members
.P| Ian Aid for
DC. Hospitals
Commissioners Urged
By Stefan to Seek
Deficiency Grant

OVercroWClnR IN washington nos
pitfalls as result of the unprece-
dented population increase was de-
plored today at meeting OF the
House District Committee.
The three Commissioners - John
Russell Young, Guy Mason and Brig.
Gen. Charles w. Kutz-who were
present, revealed they already had
taken cognizance of the conditions
and had ordered a special survey
to find out the housing needs of the
institutions.
The Commissioners also explained
that efforts by Garfield and Calm
ger hospitals TO get emergency hous-
ing funds from the Federal Works
Agency TO provide additional facill-
ties had been blocked because of a
ruling the contemplated projects
did not qualify under the Lanham
Act.
The survey, the committee was
informed by Commissioner Ma
son. will be completed within two
weeks.
Randolph Promises Aid
We will give every attention TO
the needs of the hospitals" Chair
man Randolph promised. Our aid
will be guided by the results of the
survey
Representative Schultz, Demo-
crat. of Indiana first called the COM
mittee's attention 10 the crowded
conditions in the hospitals. He said
he and Chairman Randolph had
discussed this morning the problem
at Providence Hospital with sisters
from the institution.
There isn't chance Of getting
room in a hospital unless you
reserve it two or three weeks in
advance" declared Mr.. Schultz.
This condition is not the fault of
the hospitals. They have got TO be
given help"
Il will confirm everything you
say remarked Representative
Stefan, Republican, of Nebraska, a
member OF the House Subcommittee
on District Appropriations. who
earlier had testified on his bill TO
abolish so-called charity rackets."
L see no reason why the Commis-
sioners can't send us deficiency
appropriation request for the hos
pitfalls,
Fowler Tells of Rebuff.
Walter Fowler. District budget
! officer, explained that the Commis-
sioners were told when they sought
an F. w. A. advance TO build an
addition to the maternal and child
ward at Gallinger Hospital that the
item would not qualify under the
Lanham Act.
IF that's the attitude TO be as
sumed by the F. w. A" he said,
then We will have to find some
other source for funds
Il wonder what can be done IN
this crying hour?" asked Mr.. Schultz.
The hospitals are so crowded pa
/ tients are quartered in the corridors
and cubby holes. If an epidemic
breaks out here, God help Washing
ton"
I'VE realize the situation is seri-
GUS" said Commissioner Young.
The Commissioners are study
ing it.
We've got a building burning"
Representative Schultz continued.
Are We going to sit back and take
chance that the fire will go out,
or are we going to act now?'
Survey Results Soon Ready.
Commissioner Mason explained
the results of the hospital survey
would be known in two weeks.
Let's start figuring now how to
get the money that will be needed"
remarked Representative Sauthoff,
Progressive, of Wisconsin ITO my
mind the Doctors Hospital is the
only one that has new building"
But you've got to show your
check book before you get in there"
commented Mr.. Schultz.
Shortly before the outbreak of the
discussion of the hospital situation
/ llle COIllliliIlee approved a Dill au-
thorizing a civil service status for
employees Of the Board of Public
| Welfare.
The long and productive meeting
of the committee was summarized
unexpectedly at its close with this
statement by Representative Nc
Gehee. Democrat. of Mississippi:
IF Congress had enacted at the
last session the bill it had under
consideration to reorganize the Dis
trict government and increase the
powers of the Commissioners the
meeting today would have been un-
necessary. Let's revive that reor-
ganization bill"