Evening star., 1946-05-02

VIllIII9lIl VI IlCoIIIl
Facilities Answered
By County Boards
officials in Prince Georges, Ar
lington and Fairfax Counties today
defended their health facilities in
response to criticism voiced in the
Washington Metropolitan Health
Council report. Montgomery Coun-
ty officials were pleased with the
favorable comments they received.
William A. Carson, president of
the Prince Georges County Board
Of Commissioners, said there Is "ab-
solutely no cause for alarm in the
county"
Asserting that health conditions
are "above normal" Mr.. Carson
said "The only time we might be
handicapped would be if an epi-
demic broke out"
He said the commissioners already
have approved the appointment of
an assistant health officer, who is
on the job, and authorized the ad-
dltlon of two nurses to the IL now
employed by the health depart
ment, although difficulty has been
experienced in filling the positions.
Points to State Control,
In Fairfax County, r. M. Lough-
borough, county executive, said the
health department is controlled en-
tirely by the State and the county
has consistently appropriated all
funds requested by the State for
local health purposes.
Mr.. Loughborough said the
county's annual share for health
maintenance is $9,750 and that an
additional $4,000 has been budgeted
for the 1857 fiscal year, contingent
on the expansion of the State health
program to include school health &C
tivitieS. He did not know how much
the State contributes.
In answer to criticism in the sur
vey ,yrRort concerning inadequate
heat department. /p1Gel Mr..
Loughborough said fohlem Is
largely one of inability to get per-
sonnel.
Mark Turner, Forestville, a mem
ber of the State Milk Commission,
said enactment of standard milk
ordinance in Fairfax County is un-
necessary because State laws, which
he described as ''very rigid" apply in
all Virginia counties. :
Says Rules Are Strict.
Declaring the Virginia milk in
spectiof. laws are among the most
strict in the country, Mr.. Turner
said inspections of all milk retailers
and producers are made every 60
days by officials of the State
Health Department Milk and Mar
keting Division.
DR.. Ralph G. Beachley, Arlington
County health officer, said that un-
der the current health budget
nurses salaries range from $1,84O
to $2,400 a year. He added that
'for the time being I think our
nursing staff will meet county re-
quirements.."
He said the 1867 county budget
provides for a 5000 blanket increase
for all regular salaried employees,
including county public health
nurses and nurse supervisors.
He also asserted that space is
available in the county health CEN
ter at 1900 North Edison street to
accommodate the school health
service and that he would be "glad''
to have that service located there,
The report was made by DR.. C. E.
A. Winslow, New Haven, Conn, pro-
lessor emeritus of the public health
department, Yale University; DR..
Ira v. Hiscock, also of New Haven.
chairman of the public health de-
partment at Yale, and DR.. Claude
w. Munger, administrator of st.
Luke's Hospital, New York.
Montgomery Singled Out.
In singing out Montgomery Coun-
ty for commendation, the report
pointed out that, although the coun-
ty has a "very modest" health
budget of $1.19 per capita-about
the same as that spent in Alexan-
dria and Arlington-the high eco
nomic status of its population elm
mates some problems.
Investigation of the county health
program, according to the report,
}ndico TAG fbof fto oroo ;e U,,,,,,e,, . H.,
fortunate" in its official health lead
ership.
Sound Approach"
Noting that the county health
officer is attempting to obtain a
health center, school physician
seven additional nurses, cardiac
clinic and rheumatic fever program,
the report declared:
I'VE believe that these aspira-
tions represent a wholly sound and
logical approach. The realization
would raise Montgomery County to
an outstanding position among the
counties Of the United States"
Turning to Alexandria and Ar
lington County, both of whom are
said to have "f1ne, new health Gen.
ters," the report makes several rec
concentrations for Improvement OF
the local health machinery.
Most important of the recon-
mendations concerning Alexandria
according to the report, is expan-
sion of the maternal, child health
and school health programs.
Would Combine Groups.
The report also urges the ap-
pointment Of a committee for con-
ference between the Board of
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