Evening star., 1946-08-16

"No-the war Is not over" he
said, certainly not for the disabled.
Those heartless people who feel that
the misery of war is over belittle the
sacrifices and suffering of our hos
pitalized fighting men"
Gen. Bradley said he hoped the
kind of discussion that was CROP
ping up here in connection with the
hospital site would not become gen.
eral throughout the country.
Listing Washington as one Of the
IA places where the Veterans Ad-
ministration was still facing "con-
siderable difficulty" in getting q
suitable site, he said it was hard
to find any spot in Washington that
doesn't meet with some objection"
He confirmed previous reports
that the Veterans Administration
had recommended the Arlington
tract, owned by Avon Nevius, vice
president of Riggs Bank, to the Fed
eral Board of disqualification but
pointed out it had not yet been
approved.
Pressure for Distant Site.
We've been getting pressure to
put the Washington hospital way
out in Maryland or Virginia" he
said. 1--WE don't think it should be
there. We think it should be within
or 10 minutes driving distance Of
Georgetown and George Washing
ton University Hospitals, not or
miles in the country"
Gen. Bradley also said over the
radio: ..-..t ..t
The Washington newspapers car
ried stories telling Of our interest in
this site. When the manager OF a
Iseighboring county where the hos
pital presumably was to be located
heard of our plans, he declared that
he was absolutely opposed to
them"
He urged the citizens to fight
these plans.
This gentleman was a practical
man. He wasn't opposed to vet
erans. He wasn't opposed to med
ical treatment for war-wounded vet
erans. He preferred the tax income
that his county would derive from
commercial property.
Quotes County OfIlcial.
"'The war is over he told . re-
porter. I don't think the military
or Gen. Bradley or any other gen.
eral should ride roughshod over u.s. y
I'VE may ignore completely the
offensive references he used which
aim to confuse the issue. Two ci-
villain commissions serve to give
full consideration to the commune
ty and property owners before the
hospital Is approved.
But We cannot ignore the imph-
cation in his statement that the
war is over'."'
County Manager Frank c. Hanra-
han Of Arlington declared it is un-
fortunate that the phrase was given
the Interpretation that has bee1
placed upon 1t and asked that his
previous position be reiterated and
clarified.
II have too much respect for Gen.
Bradley and his war record as a
really great American to say any
thing that would appear as an effort
to discredit him." Mr.. Hanrahan
said.
Arlington Not Consulted
Before the war, the Federal Gov
ernment always consulted with ap-
propriate county officials before
large projects such as this ssre
planned. Arlington ofiicials were not
consulted on this project and the
fact that hostilities actually are over
and we are attempting to return to
norTnalcy appears to me to be rea-
son why spirit Of cooperation be-
tween the Government and Airing
ton should be resumed
He said it is his honest belief"
that the Nevius site Is inappropriate
because of low flying planes from
the Washington National Airport,
the psychological effect on patients
Of the adjoining Arlington National
Cemetery where taps are sounded
almost daily" and the proximity OF
Fort Myer with its various military
bugle calls. The tract appears to be
too small and there are other areas
In Arlington as well as in other
communities, which would be more
appropriate. Mr.. Hanrahan said.
Asked at his press conference
whether Representative Smith,
Democrat, OF Virginia, had regis
tered protest against the choice
OF sites, Gen. Bradley responded
that he didn't want to name names.
Planners Inspect Site.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, which has
to approve the site selection, spent
most Of q day this week conferring
with Veterans Administration real
estate representatives and inspect
ing the Arlington property.
Endorsement Of the Nevius tract
as the site for the Washington hos
pital came today from Omar B.
Ketchum, national legislative direc-
tor. Veterans Of Foreign Wars, who
wrote Daniel A. Dugan, VIEW Vir-
ginia chief Of staff, that the site
would be ideal for veterans hos
pital."
Mr.. ketchum said he was sure the
citizens Of Arlington County will
decide that a veterans hospital is
"of greater need than q luxury
hotel" The site has been mem
toned In connection with plans for
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