Evening star., 1942-10-05
"A. p. Photo.

Two Others Inform
McCorron Of Talks, but
Without Developments =
The survey started recently by
Chairman McCarran of the Senate
District Committee to find out what
steps the Federal Works Agency has
taken to enlarge the capacity of
local hospitals, brought replies in
dicating definite progress at one
out of seven of the institutions in
negotiations with the agency.
Georgetown University Hospital
through its president, the Rev
Arthur A. OLeary, S. j., reported
receipt of a letter from Henry J.
Sullivan, regional director of FWA,
acknowledging the hospitals appli-
cation for remodeling to provide
Isl more beds and stating the ap-
plication has been given a project
number.
Garfield and Columbia Hospitals
reported negotiations, but no def
mite developments.
The Federal Works Agency de-
cided month ago to meet the war
time hospital needs of this area by
adding $50 beds to Gallinger Hos
pital in the District and erecting
space for 400 more beds in nearby
Maryland and Virginia. Following
this decision Chairman McCarran
called a conference, at which the
possibility of enlarging established
local hospitals was explored as an
alternative or supplemental measure
Reports on Progress Asked.
On September "a Senator McCar.
ran wrote to the local hospital,
stating 1t was his understanding
steps would be taken by FWA "te
provide these. additional facilities
and the purpose of this letter is tt
ascertain whether or not your insti.
tuition has been requested by thu
Federal Works Agency to submit
plans or data, which would enabl.
the FWA to proceed in the event
such facilities as you might be in 6
position to offer are acceptable tt
that agency"
Charles D. Drayton of Children.
Hospital, replied that I'VE submitted
to the FWA more than a year agt
plans and data covering the pro.
posed project at Children's Hos.
pital. We have had correspondence
with the FWA from time to time
and only this morning Mr.. Sullivan
assured me that our data is com.
plete and that we have done all tha
may be required of us in that re.
gard" Mr.. Drayton added, how.
ever, that he has since been ad
vised by Mr.. Sullivan that "th'
Public Health Service does not seen
to be favorable to our proposal"
Garfield Hospital, through C. A
Aspinwall, president, told of con
ference with FWA officials regard
ing a possible fourth floor addition
to one of its buildings. but tn
District building inspectors offic,
decided the project could not b.
carried out, Mr.. Aspinwall said
On September %, Mr.. Aspinwal
said, an FWA representative visitet
the hospital TO discuss ALTERNATIVE
plans, but there seemed to be al
obstacle to every plan suggested"
DR.. N. l.. McDiarmid, superintend
ent Of Columbia Hospital, reporte,
the FWA asked for and received al
amended application for work there
The superintendent said, however
that from later telephone inquire
ut appears clear that the existing
critical shortage of materials con
stitutes serious impediment, if no
bar to the construction which i
needed and desired" DR.. McDiar
mid agreed the need for more hos
pital space in Washington cannot b.
doubted, but added that if "tha
need conflicts with the needs OF tn
armed forces, there is, I am sure, n
question which takes precedence"
Offer Of Site Pointed Out.
DR.. Walter A. Bloedorn of Georg
Washington Hospital replied to Sen
ator McCarran as follows:
In reply to your question, I Wi
state that our hospital has not beel
requested to submit any plans o
data by the FWA. AS you will recal
from the hearings, George Washing
ton University made an offer of
| large part Of city block for hos
pital construction. This land is par
Of the university campus and is nc
adjacent to our present universit
hospital" -.
Speaking for Casualty Hospita
S. H. Rogers said nothing had bee
heard from FWA since the hear
ings. He added, however:
If the Prince Georges projet
Tin nearby Maryland) and addition
to Gallinger are to be rushe
through. the overcrowded condi
tions We experienced last .winte
may be relieved. I feel the Distrit
health ONCE, with definite infor
nation as to what is propose,
should be the best authority 0
what the needs are, and I feel SUI
they are alert to their respor
sibility."
/ Meanwhile. Senator McCarra
made known today he had bee
appealed to by q. delegation I
colored civic leaders TO consider Il
| fact that more hospital faciliti,
4 should be provided for their peopl
They told the Senator there al
approximately los 900 colored pc
sons In washington, and that the
should Be additional facilities !,
augment Freedmen's Hospital,
vtsw Of present crowded waftin
cond1iuas