The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-05-23
Hospitals

/ NtVNt@'@e~~~ - -
ed that the supported county
and city hospital have set up fixed
quotas limiting the number OF Ne
gro patients accepted.
A direct question by Senator
Digs brought out the fact that Ne
gro patients are segregated on one
floor al Herman kiefer hospital.
also that one elevator is designated
for Negro use only. during visiting
hours The fact was likewise es-
tahlished that no Negro internes
are enrolled in the local tax-sup-
ported hospitals
The two physicians questioned.
IN speaking OF conditions at local
Negro hospitals. are reported 10
have stated in effect that these hos
nlials have inadequate equipment,
improper diet and inefficient help.
also that none OF these hospitals
have internes or nurses in train
!ng l. was further claimed that
even y they had internes they
couldn't learn anything. as the hos
pi'als as a rule do not have on their
resident medical staffs sufficient
number OF expert specialists.
Miss Briscoe, Il is stated. was OF
the opinion that the Negro hospital
equipment was below par and the
nurses under-paid. which she
thought caused the rapid turnover
in nursing personnel.
The proposed plan for establish
ing a pubiic-owned Negro hospital
url'. as advocated by Senator Digs.
was discussed but was not consid-
cred feasible. on account OF the i'm
mediate emergency need for hospi-
falizat.on for Negroes. together with
the immense expense that would be
involved in building a new unit
and the existing restrictions on the
use o. building materials for civil
ian purposes.
The Rev. W n. Peck opposed the
Negro hospital unit plan. He stated
that n the present hospital emer-
gency when The present Negro hos
pital facilities are so badly needed.
these institutions in justice 10 them
should be given due opportunity 10
meet the new requirements and
standards as they have already In
vested large sums 81 money in
these projects The Negro hospitals
already operating here he declared
and needed now 70 meet the urgent
demands for accommodating Negro
patients who cannot secure hos
pltalizaiion elsewhere.
All present al the Joint meeting
agreed that there is need for a fixed
set II standards for all private hos
pifals In Wayne County. both white
and colored: also that all private
hospitals in the county which meet
these standards should he allowed
70 receive county patients.
County Budget Director Alfred
Pelham, who has set in az all hos
ptal hearings and attended all hos
ptal Investigations. said in a
statement 10 The Tribune Tuesday
inat ne committee would make It's
report 10 the Board OF County Au-
diiors. together with certain rec
concentrations. lie further stated
that in addition 10 set OF fixed
hospital standards. a program COW
ering the capitalization Of Negro
patients would also he be submit
tod. also that group OF county
physicians would be assigned 10
make periodical visits OF inspection.
10 see that hospitals receiving
county patients would be kept up TO
standard. Mr.. Pelham also express
cd he opinion that the committee
had been fair and impartial in is
investigation and that the commit
tee members did not lose sight Of
The fact that Negro hospitals came
into being because OF racial dis
elimination in The disqualification
OF Negroes.