Evening star., 1943-09-18
Senators Meet
To Map Inquiry
AT Ga||inger
Members to Take
Separate Phases,
Holman Reveals
BY JAMES E. CHINN.


The special Senate subcommittee
authorized to investigate conditions
at Gallinger Hospital met today,
less than ~ hours after its appoint
ment, and mapped out tentative
program Of procedure.
Senator Holman, Republican, of
Oregon, selected to direct the in
quiry, said most of the subcommit-
tees work would be done on the
scene at Gallinger. He indicated
that not only would officials, doctors
and nurses be interviewed, but that
everything In the hospital, from
garbage pals to linen closets, would
be inspected.
Each member of the subcommit-
tee of three, Senator Holman ex-
planned, will be assigned to special
ize on particular phase-one will
examine the food and its prepara-
ton, another sanitation and the
third the general operation and ad-
ministration OF the hospital.
Thorough Inquiry Promised.
1--WE are going to make a thor
ough inquiry" Senator Holman de-
clared, "and we are not going to
do it sitting on swivel chairs and
crystal gazing"
The other members of the in
vestigating committee are Senators
Bushfield of South Dakota and
Buck of Delaware, both Republicans.
Chairman McCarran Of the SEN
ate District committee, whose reso-
luton authorizing the investigation
was adopted unanimously by the
Senate yesterday, announced receipt
of letter from r. A. Seelig, secre-
tary to Senator Bone, Democrat,
Of Washington, in which Mr.. See
lig said he had heard reports that
few Of the patients who signed
a petition Of protest have been re-
buked.
Seelig Reported on Visit.
Mr.. Seelig visited the hospital
several weeks ago and wrote a re-
port to Senator McCarran describing
conditions he observed in the tu-
berculosis ward.
Il have heard some distressing
reports from Gallinger Hospital
that attempts are being made by
hospital officials and employees to
rebuke the patients who signed the
petition of protest against bad con-
ditions at the hospital" said Mr.
Seelig's letter.
These reports even went SO far
as to indicate that patients had, in
a few cases, been indirectly threat
ened. I am unable, personally, to
corroborate this because up to this
time I have been denied admission
to the hospital to continue an in
vestigation previously begun. My
request to DR.. Rutland, health off,
Ger, for pass to visit the hospital
at other than regular visiting hours
has not resulted in any response
and ! am informed that the re-
quest will be denied, although it has
not been formally denied.
Expects Checkup on Reports.
Perhaps it is just as well that
I should not visit the hospital at
the present time, since the COM
mittee itself is going to investigate
1t, but I certainly would like to
check up on these reports that
patients are, being intimidated
Having tuberculosis is bad enough
without being annoyed by efforts to
break down the statements that
these patients have made. as
sumo the committee will, in due
time, give every one an opportunity
to be heard"
Informed Of the statement by Mr..
Seelig, Commissioner Guy Mason
said today: THE statement Is with
out any foundation in fact whatso-
ever"
He made this denial after con-
ferring with Health Office Ruhland.
Mr.. Mason added that If he ever
received proof that any Gallinger
employe or official was attempting to
gag" or threaten" a patient for
complaining about his treatment, Il
would fire the person forthwith"