Evening star., 1943-03-09
Farley Planned
On Ambulance
Facilities Here
Drive TO Be Pushed
| To Improve Service
| In Accident Cases
Bv HAROLD ROGERS.

The District Commissioners are
making plans for a conference soon
of police, fire. hospital, medical,
health and other officials interested
in the new movement to improve
and coordinate ambulance facilities
in Washington.
Several steps already have been
taken, including speed-up Of COM
munlcations regarding traffic accl-
dents and sWifter operation of scout
car ambulances, one of which IS
operating in each precinct.
Commissioner Mason, who has
headed the new campaign, will be
Joined shortly by John Russell
Young, president Of the Board Of
Commissioners, who has been in
Florida on vacation, and by Engineer
Commissioner c. w. Kutz in plans
to expand the scope of the ambu-
lance program.
Young Kept Informed.
Commissioner Young has been
kept advised of progress already
made in the Police and Fire Depart
ments, over which he has super
vision, and will be prepared to take
action in the matter shortly after
his return, expected in a few davs.
The Commissioners will have be-
fore them comprehensive report
on the program made by Inspector
Arthur K. Miller, assistant superin-
tendent Of police. The inspector
forwarded his report to Mai Ed
ward j. Kelly, superintendent Of
police, today.
Maj. Kelly said he planned to con-
fer with Inspector Miller this after
noon on the report before submit
ting it to Commissioner Mason
tomorrow or the next day.
The report 1t is understood was
based partly on an investigation Of
the case last week. in which a Young
woman traffic victim lay on the
pavement at Pennsylvania avenue
and Eleventh street NV. for about
half an hour. Inspector Miller
looked into other cases Of ambulance
delay and has prepared a number Of
recommendations for Improvement
in ambulance service.
Mason Presses Inquiry.
The police investigation was asked
by Commissioner Mason within
few hours after the case Of the Young
woman came to public attention.
One Of the first things to be taken
| up by Commissioner Young when he
returns will be assembling of inter-
ested officials to discuss the uues-
tlons involved in the proposed far
reaching plan for coordination OF
ambulance services throughout the
city.
Among those to participate in the
conference, IN addition to the Com
mlSSloners, will be Mai. Kelly, Fire
Chief Stephen T Porter and off,
claIs from the Health Department,
hospitals, medical groups and others.
Maj. Kelly today expressed grati-
hcatlon over the operation Of the
new system for speedier action by
scout car ambulances in moving
traffic victims.
Kelly Voices Approval.
1Ie general plan Tor CO-Ordlnat-
ing calls for ambulances in one
place was approved today by Mai.
Kelly.
Il think it is an excellent idea"
| he said. AL calls ought to go
| through one place so that some one
is responsible and can see that there
is no delay"
Several problems Of medical ma
ture probably will come up in con-
slderation of the comprehensive
plan, 1t was indicated from several
sources today. These will be con-
sldered this week by the Wartime
Committee on Medical Service for
the District, of which DR.. A. Ma
gruder Macdonald, District coroner
ana medical society president, is
chairman.