Evening star., 1942-08-16
Hospital Needs
Of City Probed
By McCarran
Senator Asks What
Is Being Done in
Emergency
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

OF CrOW0eO, War-Clme washington
IF an epidemic fell upon lis ]
don't know what would happen,
Senator McCarran had declared
earlier in the day during hearings
on the tax exemption bill for
charitable, religious and educational
institutions.
Following up this warning last
night. the Senator requested r. F.
Camalier, committee counsel, to as
certain as soon as possible whether
and to what extent, hospital space is
being considered by officials in
charge of emergency funds for
public facilities.
Funds Made Available.
When Congress appropriated $l5,-
o0O, 600 six weeks ago to house war
workers In and near Washington
It also made available $17,5O0, 900 to
be allotted by the Federal Works
Agency for essential public works,
including hospitals, sewer. water,
school and recreation facilities.
Among the projects District Of
ficials have pending Is a request
for 225-bed addition to Gallinger
Hospital. The Federal Works Agency
also is understood to be giving care
ful consideration to the hospital
needs OF the whole Metropolitan
Area, embracing the nearby Mary
land and Virginia counties. One
well informed official pointed out
any additional beds made available
In the adjacent counties would help
ease the situation in District hos
pitfalls.
Senator McCarran said his only
purpose in raising the question
again yesterday was to give his
support to any move to obtain allot-
ments for hospital engagements.
Tax Exemptions Sought.
He broached the subject while
spokesmen for IL hospitals were
testifying in favor of the Senator's
bill to uberalize the Districts tax
exemption laws. One section would
retain for these hospitals, not Or
ganized for private gain, the ex-
emption they have been granted
since their establishment.
In the survey of all tax-exempt
property begun last year, the Real
Estate Tax Exemption Board rec
commended that the hospitals be
taxed. but the Commissioners have
deferred carrying out the recon-
mendation pending congressional
action On the pending bill.
Over an 18-month period the
Exemeption Board has Cancelled the
exemption of a variety of other
institutional buildings on the
ground strict Interpretation of the
present statutes did not exempt
them. How many of these will be
exempt depends on the final word
ing of the bill.
Action on Bill Delayed.
Senate hearings probably will be
completed by the middle of this
week, but Senator McCarran said
the committee probably would wait
until the Senate ends its period of
informal three-day recesses about
September Is before seeking action
on the bill.
Charles D. Drsyton, chairman of
the Hospital Presidents Association,
indorSed the bill for the various hos
pitals classed as non-prof1t institu-
tions. Others in the group who
supported his views included George
Z. Hamilton, jr., for Georgetown
University Hospital; Ross ODon-
oghue for Providence Hospital, Evan
H. Tucker for Casualty Hospital,
Henry P. Blair for Episcopal Eye,
Ear and Throat Hospital and
Charles N Tobriner for Garfield
Hospital. Mr.. Drayton also spoke
for Children's Hospital. Several
speakers suggested minor amend
lnents.
While Mr.. Tucker was explaining
the work of Casualty Hospital
which handles part of the street
emergency calls. Senator McCarrar
turned the discussion to the dan.
gers involved in shortage of hos
pital facilities while the city il
crowded with war workers.
Terms Picture Pretty Dark"
The Senator recalled he sat ir
on meetings to consider the ques
ton several months ago and foune
the picture at that time was prett,
dark" If there is any city tha
needs additional hospital space. h,
said, it is Washington. The Sena
tor also cited the exodus of doctor
to join the armed forces and Mr.
Drayton added the same is true IL
the nursing field.
While Mr.. Tobriner was discuss
ing the land available at Garfield
for possible expansion, he testified
that under the first Lanham Act
for public facilities in defense areas
plans were discussed for a 81, 900 ,00
hospital addition. Unfortunately
he said, very little" of that appro
priation came to the District. Un
der the second Lanham Act, he said
we are willing to donate part o
the land for additional space"
Senator McCarran said lever.
effort I can make to get none
for additional hospital space will b
made"
The committee also heard testi
mony in support of tax exemption
for the headquarters of the Won
ems Christian Temperance Union O
the District and of the Washington
Animal Rescue League
w. H. Ramsey was spokesman fo
the WCTU and his views were in
dorsed by Miss Elizabeth A. Smart
legislative director for the nationa
organization.
Mrs. E. K. Morris, secretary G
the Animal Rescue League, ex
planned the public service rendere
IN caring for lost and abandone
animals.