Evening star., 1941-12-07
Rutland 10 Seek
Increased Funds
For Health Work
Acts on Advice to
Get Tough; Mason
Assures Support
Ry DON 5. WARREN.

Washington greatly increased pop
ulation. will be sought shortly by
Health Officer George c. Rutland,
with the general approval of the
District Commissioners. II was re-
vealed 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
end 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 faclll-
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 30 more
nurses extra sanitary. restaurant.
milk and boarding and roomlng
house inspectors, for constructing
another wing at Gallinger Munich
pal Hospital to cost $500 900. and for
q 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. MI. 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
tn $50 miles in radius from the
National Capital, to insure a greater
supply and possibly 10 reduce retail
milk prices. This program calls for
employment OF four or more addi-
tIonal District milk inspectors. L
is said the Board Of Commissioners
has approved this plan However. a
statement drafted by Nj. Mason for
the Board on the bill of Representa-
tive Schultz. Democrat of Indiana,
10 open the Washington milk market
10 al comers who pass muster
merely before State medical au-
thorities 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 $4,000 is to be sought for
maintaining workers in other quar-
tiers would be requested.
Three than an additional survey
he made by members of the District
Medical Society of the existing ca
pecitv of Washington hospitals, 10
show explicitly the need for eX-
pansion Of public and private ia
cilities to care for possible epidemics.
Early this year. Dr.. Rutland re-
ported on A survey showing sub
stantial shortage of hospital facili-
ties here. in face of such emer-
gencies
SchuIte'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: 4 wonder what can be done
in this crying hour? The hospitals
are so crowded the patients are
quartered in the corridors and
cubby holes If an epidemic breaks
out here. God help Washington y
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 facllltieS puC
that there was no doubt means
should be provided on 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.. Ruhland asked District Build
ing reporters to emphasize that
Health Department officials we're
taking at 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. S. p. ii. S. Report.
DR.. Rutland said: I'VE will DO
This. We shall go back TO the rec
concentrations contained in the sur
yey 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 a 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-
visorv Committee for review. This
committee is headed by DR.. William
Charles White. The group is eX-