Evening star., 1944-09-08

0ctment 01 the Iyo1nSS blu q
another step to improve Washing
tons inadequate hospital facilities. I
Both presidents explained that the
FWA projects met the basic need
OF each ,niiversity-namely the con-
tinuation Of hospitals functioning
in compliance with their medical
schools.
DR.. Marvin today outlined to The
Star the development Of the idea
now eliminating in the Presidents
approval Of the FWA plan. About
two years ago. he said, when the
FWA and the War Production
Board were surveying the Washing
ton hospital situation, George WASH
ington University offered to provide
site. But further consideration
brought out that the type Of build
ing that could have been erected
under the then existing critical ma
terials shortage would not be ade-
quate or suitable to the location.
County Hospitals Help.
Meanwhile. under the urgency OF
providing additional hospital beds
to meet the health needs Of the war
swollen population OF Greater WASH
ington, 1t was recalled, the FWA
built the series OF county hospitals
at Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda
and Cheverly.
Other conferences followed be-
tween hospital spokesmen, Health
Omcer George G. Rutland, Federal
ofncials and physicians, but George
Washington and Georgetown were
prevented from joining with other
hospitals because their problems, in
the light of their medical schools,
were unique. it was said,
The new plan for these two turned
on decision by Maj. Gen. Philip B.
Fleming, Federal Works administra-
tor, to support q program for five
modern hospital centers in WASH
ington, with the thought that their
distribution on the basis of acces-
sibility would serve the community
more efficiently than single hos
pital center.
Snyder Announces Grants.
Announcement of the grants was
made by Baird Snyder assistant
FWA administrator. acting for Gen.
Fleming.
DR.. Marvin said general plans for
the new George Washington Hos
pital and medical school have been
completed and that working draw
ings are well advanced.
DR.. Walter A. Bloedorn, dean of
the George Washington Medical
School, told The Star that he re-
garded the development of the new
hospitals as splendid and most
promising civic improvement, the
benefits of which will be felt by
Washingtonians for years to come.
He spoke enthusiastically of the new
George Washington Hospital in con-
nection with future development Of
the medical school, as it Is planned
eventually to erect a new medical
school ia the vicinity of the site
chosen for the hospital. He was
especially pleased. he said. that both
Georgetown and George Washington
medical schools are embraced within
the plan.
Formal application for the FWA
grant was filed by George Washing
ton University last April 81, and by
Georgetown on August 26.
Fulfills Years of Effort.
DR.. German said the Georgetown
project fulfllls many years Of effort
on the part Of the university to
provide an adequate replacement of
tts present hospital. At first the
university had planned to rebuild
on the present hospital site, but
when the Medical and DeAtaI
Schools were changed to the Reser !
Eoir road location in 1890, it@Ras
felt that was also the desired site,
for q new hospital.
A year or 50 ago. he explained. !.
Georgetown made a tender OF a site
on its medical:school grounds in ne
gotiations with FWA and the WPB,
but at that time 1t was impossible
to obtain priorities on critical ma
telfals.
The Georgetown president made
ciear that the university was sympa
tnetic TO the Tydings' plan. but hAds
felt Its own hospital should function,
as now, In close conjunction with
and under the supervision Of its
school and facu::y. I'VE do
not wish to exclude any other hos
pital from deriving advantage from
that plan," DR.. German said. I'VE
agree with the substance of reports
that hospital facilities are obsolete