Evening star., 1942-12-24
Maverick Sees
Easing Of DC.
Hospital Crisis
WPB Official Studies
PIon to Add Beds
Without New BUILDING

Possibility of providing most" OF
the needed hospital beds in Wash
ington without the necessity of new
construction was seen today by
Maury Maverick, director of the
governmental division of WPB, as
result of a survey.
A report to this effect, said to be
Of preliminary nature, is in the
hands of experts at WPB. it was
learned, with prospects that it may
be discussed at the conference called
for next Wednesday by the Senate
District Committee.
Mr.. Maverick would not disclose
full details of the special report on
the hospital survey, but admitted
the percentage of new beds which
might be established here in exist
ing institutions was "very large"
Pay Patients at Gallinger.
Meanwhile, one suggestion came to
light in the form of a proposal that
part of Gallinger Hospital be set
aside for pay patients. Already, Dis
trict authorities are requiring that
patiens who are able to pay for care
at the municipal charity hospital
pay as much as they can.
Rear Almiral P. S. RoSsiter, chief
of the medical staff at Gallinger
said he thought it would be phys
ically possible" to set aside a wing
of the hospital for pay patients, be-
cause the case load there now is less
than it used to be. But he said he
thought it would necessitate con-
siderable readjustment in the ad-
ministration and operation of the
hospital.
DR.. Edgar A. Bocock, superintend-
ent of Gallinger Hospital, declined
to comment on the idea.
Mr.. Maverick favors the utiliza-
tion of all possible facilities to help
care for the public.
What would the decision be in
London?" he asked. We've got to
run all hospitals as public service.
Many readjustments should be
made, so that everything will be
utilized. Full utilization means that
we can save in building construc-
ton and have more critical mate
rails to fight on the military fronts. :"
Mr.. Maverick said he would be
glad to 'co-operate" with the Sen
ate District Committee. in its hear
ings or meeting Wednesday.
THE District committees" he
said, "are doing splendid job. We
will bring all records, reports and
figures. OF course, Senator McCar-
ran is entitled to the fullest pos
sible information on our conduct
in regard to the hospitals"
At the conference Wednesday
Senator McCarran expects to go
into the whole hospital situation
with WPB, FWA officials and hos
pital administrators.
Senator McCarran's call for the
conference came after Mr.. Maverick
indicated priorities would prevent
local hospital expansion and sug-
gested instead that more beds be
placed in existing space.
More Maternity Beds Planned.
Among the suggestions understood
to be under consideration is the pos
sibility of providing % more ma
ternity beds through a plan of con-
version of Georgetown University
Hospital facilities.
Officials of the hospital could not
be reached for comment on this pro-
posal. But it was learned that the
Government is considering favorably
plans for the conversion of an old
structure back of the hospital for
use as classrooms and a morgue.
This would release space, now used
for classrooms, for the housing of
student nurses. This succession of
changes would make available more
hospital beds.
WPB is understood to be giving
Sympathetic consideration" to pos
sibility for new construction in the
nearby suburban areas. such as
Alexandria, Arlington and Bethesda.