Evening star., 1944-05-01
Needs
Being Probed
ByHouseGroup
Health Proposals
Advanced During
Budget Session

Health Department needs for the
next fiscal year, including improve
ments demanded at much -investi-
gated Gallinger Hospital were
taken up today by the House Dis
trict Appropriations Subcommittee.
Estimates for the department now
total more than $5,0o0,O0O, which
would be an increase of about ST.
100000 over this year. Proposals
also have been advanced for pro-
vision of a new pediatric ward
which would include reception quar-
ters for incoming child patients.
Sees Slight Peril of Epidemics.
Health Offlcer George c. Rutland
in a general statement on health
conditions, said the department con-
sidered there was relatively little
danger of epidemics as he outlined
precautionary measures being taken.
He described activities to destroy
mosquito breeding as a means of
preventing spread of malaria.
Chairman Coffee said the COM
mittee had favorably received re-
quests for an increase in the num-
ber of housekeeping aides from 80
to so. as urged by Mrs. Harold N.
Marsh and other members of the
Citizens Advisory Committee on
Housekeeping Assistance. The sub
committee was told the 80 house
keeping aides now employed under
a special appropriation had been
acting as nurses and housekeepers
to hundreds of INDECENT families.
Shortage of Nurses Cited.
DR.. Daniel Leo Finucane, super
intendent of the District Tubercu.
losis Sanatorium at Glenn Dale, Md.
told the group the institution had q
shortage of registered nurses ano
a continuing difficulty of keeping
enough employees on the staff be.
cause of its distance from Washing.
ton, which has been accentuated be.
cause of the gas and tire shortage
There was to be no afternoon ses.
sion today and the health estimate.
were to be completed tomorrow
morning.
Representative Stefan of Nebras.
ka, ranking minority member of the
subcommittee, declared after a per.
sonal inspection of Gallinger that
such facilities were urgently needed
to prevent spread of contagious
diseases.
Other proposals expected to come
up for consideration include reports
of expert psychiatrists asking con-
struction of an entirely new Gal
linger psychiatric ward as soon as
the critical materials situation will
permit
Will Outline Welfare Items.
Welfare estimates amounting to
more than $S,000,O00 will be outlined
when the health budget has been
reviewed. This will bring up long
list of proposals for postwar Or post
priorities replacement of many well
fare institutions and expansion OF
others. These include the industrial
home schools, the Receiving Home
for Children, the Home for Aged
and Infirm and the District Train
ing School for Predetermined at
Laurel, Md.
The heavy backlog of construction
demands has been advanced by
Chairman Coffee and other men,
bers of the subcommittee, as we'll as
District officials, as a reason for Gre
alton OF postwar public works in
vestment fund so that funds will be
available Immediately for needed
improvements when materials are
available.
For this purpose District officials
are proposing an investment fund OF
between 100000 and $4,000, 900
while other revenues are used now
to wipe the last of the Districts
debt of a little over $5,000,OOO.
In support of this financial plan
Budget Officer Walter L. Fowler
estimates that demands for capita
improvements in the years after the
war will reach 40000, 900, including
what must be spent on slum clear.