Greenbelt cooperator., 1943-01-01
Closed Last Year

Closed Last Year
1t was just a year ago this
month that the towns municipal
hospital closed it's doors after the
Town Council and Town Admins
tration ,vainly sought extra funds
to. cover the annual operating
deficit. - s2 p
Designed as a 10-bed institution
by remodeling of the row of
houses at the east corner of Ridge
Road and Gardenway, Greeenbelt's
hospital was opened in April
1889 and was maintained for the
three years with an average
patient load which neared 80 per
cent of capacity. However, a
deficit of $4,000 in 1889, $1,000
in 1910 and $4,000 in 1941 per-
suaded town officials to end the
enterprise after some controversy,
Last summer an attempt was
made to have the Prince Georges
County Hospital, being built with
Federal funds, located in Green
belt, but site near Cheverly was
finally selected for that institution
on the plea that it would be nearer
the geographical center of the
county.
Recently Greenbelt's hospital
plight has been somewhat re-
lieved by the opening of the
Leland Memorial Hospital at River
dale.
Federal Funds Asked
For the last six weeks town
officials have been negotiating with
the Federal Works Agency for
funds which would allow reopen
ing of the Greenbelt Hospital as
one measure for relieving the pres
sure on Washington institutions.
1t was pointed out that the
former building, while not de-
signed as a hospital, could never
theless serve such purpose during
the wartime stress. Equipment
now impossible to obtain is on
hand for use in case the hos
pital is reopened. A recent inven-
tory has been completed in con-
nection with the current plans.
Some of the equipment was rented
to the Health Association last
spring at a nominal figure so that
it would not stand idle.
Certain restrictions would have
to be compiled with, one Greenbelt
official revealed this week. Only
obstetrical care and minor surgery
would be allowed, in addition to
care and treatment of certain types
of illnesses. This would involve
no hardship since the three-year
records on file in the town ad-'
administration offices show that
95 per cent of former services fell
within this category.
Expansion Required
Another requirement would be
for an enlargement of former
facilities. A 20-bed accommodation
is expected, according TO Town
Manager Roy s. Braden. 1t was
estimated by Mr.. Braden that
about $500 would be required ="
complete necessary remodelinR
of the structure.
In addition more beds and some
extra equipment would have TO be
purchased. but all persons inter
viewed by the Cooperator agreed
that costs Of the proposed reopen
ing would be small for the COM
munity benefit for the towns in
creased DoDulation. Since the
closing Of the Greenbelt Hospital
in January 1912 the number Of
families here has jumjed from
$50 to 1900. Most Of these are
now either in uniform or employed
in war agencies.
All of the local physicians have
urged reestablishment Of hospital
services here. DR.. s. r. Berenberg,
who first came TO GTeenbelt in 1899
and who participated in the open
ing of the old hospital. stated that
"The speed with which we can
win the war must depend largely
upon the good health Of our people,
which in turn depends largely on
good hospitals and good medical
care"
A Municipal Project
Mayor Allen d. Morrison made
it clear that a re-opened hospital
here would be a municipal re-