Evening star., 1942-01-19
Decentralization
Held Important
|nHospita| Plan
GoIIineer-GIenn Dale
Expansion Ideo
Is Questioned
Nv C.. A. MATHISEN.

actions in voluntary hospital clr-
cles here.
Chairman Randolph of the House
District Committee planned to in
troduce a bill today authorizing
construction of a 400-bed general
hospital building on Gallinger's S
grounds for acute cases and an evac-
uation or convalescent unit Of 600
beds at Glenn Dale.
The largest body of informal opin-
lon views the proposal as probably
not the most desirable means OF
expanding the Capitals general
hospital facilities, even on tempo
rary basis. This group contends de-
Capitalization for maximum acceS-
sibility is an important considera-
ton which would be disregarded II
this project proved to be the only
one winning approval in the near
future
Further, 1T holds some apprehen-
sion that possible care-for-pay in
quarters controlled by Government
might be a dangerous precedent
marking a step toward the end OF
the road for the city's voluntary
hospitals.
Maverick Suggested Plan.
The idea of temporary buildings
at Gallinger and Glenn Dale was
recommended to Chairman Ran
dolph for study last month IN q
memorandum from Maury Maverick,
chief OF the governmental require
ments branch, Office of Production
Management.
Construction would be the SIM
pie. relatively cheap type used in
temporary Office buildings on the
Misunderstanding rather than
fireproof. Each structure would
have a number of private rooms.
DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger, assistant
District health officer. stated in a
memorandum asked by Mr.. Nave
rick that these stop-gap hospitals
could be built at minimum cost,
since existing utilities at the two
institutions, such as heating plants
and laundries, could be made to
serve them. Gallingers laundry
now is operating on two-shift
basis, however, and the additional
load would require it to be worked
"a hours a day, an arrangement
considered a last resort" at the
hospital.
DR.. Seckinger explained in his
memorandum that in time of air
raid or other catastrophe, critically
injured persons could be cared for
at Gallinger building and conva-
lescent cases at Glenn Dale. The
Health Department official added
that the projected quarters could
be used at other times to ease the
strain on the Capitals present hos
pital facilities.
System Is Vague.
However, the system under which
the latter use would be made Of the
"tempos" has remained vague. re-
sulting in concern among majority
of those having to do with manage
ment of the voluntary hospitals.
There has been some wonder at
Gallinger, too. In general, that in
stitution is intended to serve only
those bona fide residents of Wash
lngton who are unable 20 pay for
disqualification. Specialized treat
ment, such as psychiatric, is avail
able to other than INDECENT WASH
ingtonians. Gallinger also has taken
urgent obstetrical cases from time
to time when sent by other institu-
tions which could not handle them
at once. Naturally, questions of
residence or ability to pay have not
been raised in such instances.
Mr.. Maverick has indicated he
would like to see the temporary
buildings made available at reason
able" rates to persons of modest
income who, nevertheless, want to
pay when they are obliged to 60 to
a hospital. He has said something
should be done promptly to give
such service to the average Govern
ment worker drawn to Washington
by the emergency expansion of the
Federal establishment.
Decentralization Indorsed.
The principle of decentralization,
or regional accessibility" has the
Endorsement of Health Of1cer
George C. Rutland, but number
of voluntary hospital officials fear
the Gallinger-Glenn Dale split of
900 new beds may be the only thing
done for long time if it is empha-
sized to the exclusion of other new
units or additions to existing hos
pitfalls.
Typical of this opinion is the view
of Col. N. L. McDiarmid, superin-
tendent of Columbia Hospital. He
declared all new facilities should
not be concentrated at Gallinger and
Glenn Dale and was quick to explain
he would consider it equally inadvis-
able to concentrate them at Colum-
bia.
Col McDiarmid would like to see
whatever emergency facilities are
provided spotted about the city and
in adjacent communities. If the
voluntary hospitals were brought
into the picture, he would point out
that ground is available at Colum-
bia for temporary building for sur
gical cases. This would permit ex-
pansion Of obstetrical facilities, an
acute need there.
This proposal represents only what
might be done at his institution If it
is decided all possibilities are to be
examined, he makes clear. Colum-
bias average daily occupancy rate
last year was about 80 per cent, as
against the comfortable maximum
of 80 per cent usually heard in hos
pital circles.
Emergency Not Troubled.
James G. Capossela, assistant a.
perintendent of Emergency Hospital,
said he had no specific ideas IS to
how much is needed at once in hos
pital facilities here or where they
should be placed Something is
needed, however, he agreed. Emer-
gency, averaging about 80 per cent
occupancy last year, has not been
troubled appreciably by crowding,
4fr. Caposella reported, and should