Evening star., 1942-06-03
Two Directors
OF Freedmen S
Will Be! 0usted
DR.. T. Edward Jones,
DR.. |. W. Jackson
To Be Succeeded


of Freedmen's Hospital will take
place soon by order of Federal
Security Administrator Paul V.
McNutt, as a result of "irregulari-
ties" disclosed by recent inveSti-
cations. Among the charges
we're the shortage of 2311a quarts
of whisky. free dispensing of
liquor to employees, narcotic pre-
scription tampering, fee-splitting
and ambulance chasing"
Five principal changes to be made
are these:
l. DR.. T. Edward Jones, director in
chief of the hospital, will be per-
mitted to separate himself from the
service" by voluntary retirement, to
be succeeded, probably, by DR.. John
W. Lawlah, dean of the medical
school of Howard University, who
would continue as dean.
2. DR.. Lawrence w. Jackson. assist
ant director of administration of the
hospital, will be separated from the
service by resignation or by dis
ciplinary action" in the event he
refuses to resign. He would be sue
ceeded by a trained colored lay
hospital administrator"
Creates New Position.
8. A new position of material
officer" at $4,000 year would be
established, to be filled probably by
"a thoroughly reliable employe of
the Public Health Service"
4. Other changes in personnel
would be accomplished principally
on recommendation by the new
director in chief.
5. Conferences are to be held be-
tween experts of the Public Health
Service and the director in chief OF
Freedmen'S for continued and
efficient operation" of the institu-
ton
A letter from Controller General
Warren to a House appropriations
subcommittee on labor and Fed
eral security appropriations out
lined the GAO's allegations of
irregularities at Freedmens. Among
them was the purported short
age of 23ll2 quarts of whisky
and the free dispensing of liquor
to non-hoSpitalized employees. Agents
of the Bureau OF Narcotics found
"erasures and alterations" on pre-
scriptions for drugs, it was said.
Money Retentions Charged.
Other charges included shortages
in the personal property and funds
of patients, unauthorized retention
of money collected from patients
by members of the visiting staff,
alleged ambulance chasing" and
fee splitting by DR.. Jackson and
purported attempt by DR.. Jones to
bar the GAO inquiry.
AS a result of the subcommittee
inquiries. the group recommended
a slash of s52,695 in the appropria-
ton for Freedmens under the out
lay for last year. The amount ap-
proved was S654.310.
The recommended reduction comes
mainly from the outlay for the
purchase of supplies. An increase
over 1941 of s46, 1875 for salaries was
allowed to take care of Ramspeck
Act promotions.
Representative Hare. Democrat. Of
South Carolina. chairman of the
subcommittee, said his group has
every reason to believe that If proper
attention is given to determination
of whether patients are able to
pay for services rendered and the
1F l.. A11 Ill
be able to secure ample funds to
purchase the necessary supplies
and materials"
10 Per Cent of 1941 Patients Paid.
Representative Hare pointed out
that in 194l the hospital treated
1887 patients of which number
8O2-barely 10 per cent-paid all
or a portion of their bills. The
total amount collected was s26. .361.
After the GAO investigation in Feb
ruary. he said. the March and April
collections were about so per cent
above those for the same period
in the previous year.
Since it was possible to Increase
collections so per cent under the
chaotic and lackadaisical system,
which has heretofore obtained" Mr..
Said says in his report. lit is logical
to suppose that much greater in
crease may be expected by the adop-
ton of proper businesslike methods"
Plans for the shake-up were dis
closed when a letter by Admin
istrator McNutt on the subject was
made public at hearings of the
House subcommittee, which had in
vestigated the matter on its own
account.
The changes in personnel at the
hospital probably will be made
shortly, although some details in
regards to new appointments re-
main to be completed.
The irregularities" 1t was en-
phasized today by Capt. Watson
(See FREEDMEN'S, Page A-4)