Evening star., 1941-12-07
Rutland 10 Seek
Increased Funds
For Health Work
Acts on Advice to
Get Tough; Mason
Assures Support
By DON s. WARREN.


Health Officer George c. Rutland.
with the general" approval of the
District Commissioners. it was re-
yealed last night.
Taking for granted that members
of the House District Committee
and the Board of Commissioners
meant what they said recently when
they declared he should get tough
and ask for what he needs. DR..
Rutland told The Star Yesterday:
Il will do So
At the same time, Commissioner
GUY Mason announced the city
heads would support proposals for
advances of Federal funds for eX-
pansion of private hospital facill-
ties. in view of the critical Sltua-
ton facing the National Capital.
Something in this direction should
be done. and done soon said Mr..
Mason.
As to specific items. DR.. Rutland
said he would seek early deficiency
funds or additional regular appro-
priations for the next fiscal year
for employing at least 80 more
nurses. extra sanitary. restaurant,
milk and boarding and roomlng
house inspectors, for constructing
another wing at Gallinger Munich
pal Hospital 10 cost $780, 900, and for
health center. or polytechnic, IN
Anacostia, the third of the series
he has planned.
Mason Assures support.
Commissioner Mason immediately
responded that DR.. Rutland would
be given all out" support. The
Board of Commissioners should
and would" reserve final judgment
on requests for any specific item. or
as to the total picture. Nr. Mason
said. but would support a general
program for better health protection.
That is all right by me- said
Dr.. Rutland. They are my supe-
riors and so long as they give me
general support. l am satisfied
Meanwhile. Commissioner Mason
revealed three outstanding decisions
by the Commissioners:
One. that the Washington milk
shed should be extended from $50
to $50 miles in radius from the
National Capital. TO insure a greater
supply and possibly TO reduce retail
milk prices This program calls for
EMPLOYMENT of four or more addl
tlonal District milk inspectors. 1t
is said the Board OF Commissioners
has approved this plan. However. a
statement drafted By MI. Mason for
the Board on the bill OF Representa-
tive Schultz Democrat of Indiana,
10 Crel HE Washington milk market
to al comerS who pass muster
merely before State medical au-
thorlties or meet the Public Health
Service minimum standards, opposes
the Schultz proposals. This stand
had been forecast.
Would Convert Dormitory.
Two. that a dormitory at the
District tuberculosis Sanatoria at
Glenn Dale, Nd. now used for hous-
ing domestic and other help. be
converted into a ward for care of
sanataria patients. An item Of
about S50000 is 10 be sought for
maintaining workers in other quar-
ters would be requested.
Three. than an additional survey
be made by members of the District
Medical Society of the existing ca
p2city Of Washington hospitals. to
show explicitly the need for eX-
pansion of public and private IA
ollitieS to care for possible epidemics.
Early this year. Dr. Rutland re-
ported on a survey showing a sub
stantial shortage of hospital facili-
ties here. in face of such emer-
gencieS.
Schulte'S Remark Recalled.
Need for hospital expansion was
discussed Friday before members
of the House District Committee
and at that time Mr.. Schultz de-
clared: Il wonder what can be done
in this crying hour? The hospitals
are so crowded the patients are
ouartered in the corridors and
cubbv holes. If an epidemic breaks
out here. God help Washington
Mr.. Mason said the Commission
ers would support Whole-heartedly
any move made by private hospital
authorities for securing Federal
loans for expansion of accommoda-
tions. He said he was not in favor
of loans or grants for replacement
of existing private facilities but
that there was no doubt means
should be provided on a long-term.
low-rate basis for their 'eXpan-
sion"
Further action in this connection
Is expected shortly as a result OF
surveys now being made.
DR.. Rutland asked District Build
ing reporters to emphasize that
Health Department officials were
taking al face value recent state
ments of House District committee
men and spokesmen for the Board
of Commissioners that the Health
Department should get tough in
meeting its problems. and should
ask for necessary funds. and that
members Of Congress and the city
authorities would support such re-
quests.
Based on L. $. p. ii. 5. Report.
DR.. Rutland said: I'VE will do
this. We shall 90 back to the rec
OmmenOd LlOllS COlllcIllSu III illC SUI
vev report of the United States Pub
lie Health Service This not only
recommended increased funds for
various services. but suggested that
due to population increase and add
ed problems there should be year.
by-vear increase in the outlay OF
funds to meet health needs.
I'VE propose to ask again for all
the funds we have requested in past
years and which have been denied
for reasons of economy or otherwise
and to apply in addition for extra
funds made necessary by increase OF
population or other new problems. -
Before this is done, however, he
said. he proposed TO submit the
whole problem to his Medical Ad-
visory Committee for review. This
committee is headed by DR.. William
Charles White The group is ex-
pected to meet at 10 am. Decem-