The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-12-30
Veteran Republication
Experiment Asked For CITY
Continued From Page One)

this plan can work mere ana tne
boys need it now"
George R. Darden Of the Jane:
Walker Memorial hospital said the
hospital had not been approached
with any plan of disqualification o:
veterans, but that it would be will
ing to enter into working agreement
with the government or with the VA
for their care within the confines
of their available bed space and
facilities.
He cited a working agreement
which the hospital has with the
Public Health service by which
any member of the Merchant
Marine service can be hospitalized
by the representing doctor and the
bill sent to the Public Health SER
vice.
1--WE are willing to do all within
our abilities to aid in the promotion
Of the welfare of the returning
veteran" he said.
Details of Plan
Under the Michigan plan the VA
has announced a plan whereby
veterans receive hometown care"
by doctors of their own choice, at
government expense. The announce
ment of the plan also explained
that the VA is arranging for Michi-
gan veterans to enter private hos
pitfalls Of the state.
Veterans, according to the plan,
will be cared for in their own
communities. When the plan is
approved, they may be hospitalized
in their community hospitals, pro-
vided these are approved institu-
tons cooperating in the program.
Under the plan, physicians fees
have been standardized and will be
paid by the VA. In Michigan more
than 400 physicians are on the
approved list.
The nationwide plan, exclusive
of the Michigan experiment, as
announced by Maj. Gen. Paul R.
Hawley, VA acting surgeon general,
on Thursday, calls for the placing
of 10000 ex-servicemen in civilian
hospitals with an additional 10000
being placed in Army and Navy
hospitals. At the present time. Gen.
Hawley has explained, the VA is
caring for a record load of $1,000
veterans.
He revealed that the American
Hospital association has promised
a few beds in each of 3,4OO private
institutions, approved by the asso-
citation. They would be made avail
able to the VA on a priority basis.
whereas local doctors would be
hired, on fee basis, he said, and
the usual hospital fees paid.
The two plans, it is thought by
both General Bradley and General
Hawley will ease the situation which
has reached a "bottleneck" con-
d i t o n throughout the nation.
Sources close to the VA situation
claim it will be a period of two
years before sufficient hospitals
and beds are made available to
the administration.
Confers With Officials
Galloway has been in conference
with Washington officials of the VA
on several different occasions ask
ing for relief in the local picture.
He conferred with Col. Harry E.
Brown, member of Gen. Hawley's
staff, in charge of hospitals and
disqualification, several weeks ago
at which time the Colonel explained
the nationwide need for beds and
promised any assistance necessary
for the securing of beds in the
three local and other private hos
pitfalls in the area.
He explained that the Legion has
been responsible for sending three
veterans to Fayetteville during the
last 80 days and that four more
veterans from Wilmington have
been trying to get in the hospital
at that place. 1.-TWO of those men
are seriously in need of attention.
he said, but there are $50 men on
the waiting list there"
The Legion has been working
since last September to have either
the hospitals at Fort Fisher or at
Bluethenthal Field be used by the
government in the care of veterans
from North Carolina, Galloway ex-
planned.
''These buildings" he explained,
ARE not the type which will be
used finally by the VA, but can be
used for this emergency PERIOD"
he said.
Judge John j. Burney as Lee
gionnaire has been active in vete-
rams affairs, declared yesterday
the need for immediate care for
veterans was vital to the welfare
OF these men and the community.
Any plan which can be worked
out should be pus into force at
once, he said. TOO many of these
fellows have need of hospitaiiza-
ton, but due to crowded conditions
in VA hospitals they have not been
receiving the immediate attention
that should be theirs" he said.
The Judge gave several examples
OF men who have appeared before
him in court on CHARGES of heino