Evening star., 1942-08-16
Hospital Needs
OF City Probed
By McCarran
Senator Asks What
Is Being Done in
Emergency
BY ]. A. OLEARY.

Emergency
BY J. A. OLEARY.
Chairman McCarran OF the
Senate District Committee launched
an inquiry late yesterday to find out
what plans, If any, Government
agencies have In mind to enlarge
hospital facilities to meet the needs
of crowded, war time Washington.
"If an epidemic fell upon us ]
don't know what would happen,
Senator McCarran had declared
earlier in the day during hearings
on the tax exemption bill Tor
charitable, religious and educational
institutions. g..
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 Tor
public facilities.
Funds Made Available.
When Congress appropriated $l5,-
0OO, 900 six weeks ago to house war
workers IN and near Washington,
It also made available $17,500 900 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 request
for q 225-bed addition to Gallinger
Hospital. The Federal Works Agency
also is understood to be giving care
full 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
pitals.
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 enlargements.
Tax Exemptions Sought.
He broached the subject while
spokesmen for II hospitals were
testifying in favor of the Senator's S
bill to lberalize 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, hut 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 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 sale
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. Drayton, chairman OF
the Hospital Presidents Association
Endorsed the bill for the various hos
pitals classed as non-proflt institu-
tions. Others in the group who
supported his views included George
e. Hamilton, jr., for Georgetown
University Hospital; Ross ODon-
oghue for Providence Hospital, Evar
H. Tucker for Casualty Hospital
Henry P. Blair for Episcopal Eye
Ear and Throat Hospital ant
Charles N. Tobriner for Garfield
Hospital. Mr.. Drayton also spoke
for .Children's Hospital. Severa
speakers suggested minor amend
ments.
While Mr.. Tucker was explaining
the work of Casualty Hospital
which handles part of the stree
emergency calls, Senator McCarral
turned the discussion to the dan
gers involved in a shortage of hos
pital facilities while the city j
crowded with war workers.
Terms Picture "Pretty Dark"
The Senator recalled he sat IL
on meetings to consider the ques
ton several months ago and foun'
''the picture at that time was prett,
dark" If there is any city tina
needs additional hospital space, h
said. 1t is Washington. The Sena
tor also cited the exodus of doctor
to join the armed forces and MI
Drayton added the same is true Il
the nursing field.
While Mr.. Tobriner was discuss
ing the land available at CARTEL
for possible expansion. he testifie
that under the first Lanham Ac
for public facilities in defense area
plans were discussed for a 100000
hospital addition. Unfortunatel.
he said, "very little" of that appro
priation came to the District. Un
der the second Lanham Act, he sait
we are willing to donate part {
the land for additional space"
Senator McCarran said lever
effort 1 can make to get none
for additional hospital space will +
made"
The committee also heard test
mony in support of tax exemptio
for the headquarters of the Won
ems Christian Temperance Union
the District and of the Washingto
Animal Rescue League.
w. H. Ramsey was spokesman fe
the WCTU and his views were ir
dorsed by Miss Elizabeth A. Smar
legislative director for the nation;
organization.
Mrs. E. X. Morris, secretary {
the Animal Rescue League, e,
planned the public service rendere
in caring for lost and abandone