Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-31

A poll of superintendent and
other hospital officials was made by
The Star last night after the Sem
ate District Committee recessed its
hearing on delay in the proposed
hospital expansion program. The
poll brought comment tending to
show that a majority of the WPB
estimates on the number of addi-
tional beds which can be supplied
with or without construction must
be brought up to date.
Some of the superintendent ex-
planned that even in the few weeks
since the WPB consultants visited
their hospitals, the space then avail
able for beds either has been taken
up for that or some other purpose.
A few described the estimates as
definitely erroneous. while others
agreed they were accurate or could
be followed In cases of dire emer-
gency.
Comments from the various hos
pitfalls follow:
j. G. Capossela, superintendent Of
Emergency, said:
The estimate that Emergency
could add sc more beds without new
construction is wrong I said 30
more beds could be put in even
before the WPB started its survey,
and have added 10 of these and will
have the others in in a day or two
The other SO they cannot put in be-
cause their consultants have figured
on a basis of ceiling space and are
not taking into consideration basins,
cabinets and other items on the floor
which take up space"
Urgent Greenbelt Need.
DR.. Sam Berenberg, Greenbelt,
physician of Greenbelt Health Asso-
citation, said:
This hospital was closed because
1t lost money. The need is extremely
urgent now in view of the growth in
size to more than double, and par
ticularly since transportation to
Washington hospitals is difficult. At
present all Greenbelt patients have
to go 6 miles to Leland Memorial
Hospital, while at the same time
previous hospital equipment of the
Greenbelt Hospital is going unused.
with slight effort, the Greenbelt
Hospital could be enlarged by IS or
20 beds. The hospital is now being
used by the business administration
of the town and Federal Govern
ment. Our hospital just needs funds
to make up for an inevitable deficit"
Sister Rosa of Providence Hospital
said:
THE WPB figures are generally
correct. The emergency figure Of
IS extra beds reported to OCD for
emergency, includes space esti-
mated for 43 permanent beds with
out construction. Room for % more
listed as possible would cause Sc
we're crowding."
Georgetown Space Used.
A spokesman for Georgetown Hos
pital said:
I'VE do not have room now for
any more beds whatever. We are
using all sun parlors and available
space
Miss E. E. Rogers, superintendent
OF Casualty, said:
THE figures are approximately
correct, except that estimate space
for about IL more permanent beds
instead of Is. The WPB must have
included porches in figuring the
space"
Miss Matte Gibson, superintend-
ent Of Children's:
Il feel that no more beds could be
set up without construction. Our
hospital has asked for no more
beds"
w. w. Bricker, superintendent of
Leland Memorial:
The 25-bed estimate by WPB is
about right"
Deaconness Anna E. Macdonald,
superintendent of Episcopal:
Il cannot believe the estimate
given Is accurate. The consultants
from the WPB came a few DAYS ago
and overheard them say there was
little extra space here, at the most
only enough for few more beds.
Our work is seasonal and sometimes
is low, but at present we are op-
Grating at capacity"
Would Use Aisles Next.
DR.. John w. Lawlah, superintend-
ent of Freedmen's:
I'VE could put in the extra beds
the WPB suggests, but it would
mean that they would have to be
placed in the aisles Of the wards,
where there would be no privacy
for them. We now have % beds In
each ward and. II . serious enough