Evening star., 1946-10-29
Virginia Turns Down.
Wilson Hospital as
tuberculosis Center
By The Assoeiotsd Press

RICHMOND, Va, Oct. GA
recommendation by DR.. L. j. Roper,
State health commissioner, that the
State abandon the idea of acquiring
Woodrow Wilson General Hospital
near Staunton for use as a tubercu-
losis hospital vas accepted today by
the General ASsembly's special COM
mission on the hospital and by Gov.
Tuck.
The Governor announced. how
ever, that Virginia Is willing to
accept the hospital If it is turned
over to the State without reserva-
tions as to the purposes for which
it may be used.
The special commission recon-
mended that the State Board OF
Education investigate the possible
use of the facility for rehabilitation
work among handicapped white and
colored persons. ..
It further was recommended by
the commission lin view OF the
revelations Of the commissioner OF
health's report as to the great num-
Der Of persons in Virginia infected
with tuberculosis and the great need
revealed for isolation and treatment
of these victims that further study
OF the tuberculosis problem in Vir-
ginia be made by the Health De-
partment to seek means to meet the
situation.
Specific Program Urged. i
We strongly urge the develop.
ment 81 specific program for sub
mission by the Governor to the
1916 General Assembly, which viii
meet the situation with courage anc
vision" the commission said.
The rejection Of Wilson Hospital
came at a meeting of the commis-
sion here at which DR.. Roper had
submitted an adverse report listing
nine specific reasons for turning
down the hospital proposal.
State Senator J. c. Carpenter OF
Clifton Forge, chairman of the COM
mission, said he thought 1.-The State
is making a mistake not to take this
property. but perhaps DR.. Roper's
report will focus attention on the
vital need for doing something ir
the field of tuberculosis"
Nine Reasons Given.
After an exhaustive examination
Of the hospitals past use, present
condition and future possibilities
the health commissioner specified
nine reasons for recommendation
against State acquisition of the hos
pital. They included:
"The hospital is too remote from
sections of the State most in neeo
of sanatorium beds.
"The construction and arrange.
ment of wards are archaic for 8
tuberculosis sanatorium.
'"The cost of upkeep cannot bt
justified. ct would cost half agair
as much to operate woodrow Wilson
for 1000 patients as it now costs tt
operate the three existing State
sanatoria for 1000
"The availability Of personnel /!
highly questionable.
Might Jeopardize Fund.
"Use of this facility on a perma.
nent or semipermanent basis prob
ably will jeopardize the allotment ol
Federal hospital construction fund!
for tuberculosis beds in Virginia.
Because of the temporary nature
of the buildings and the extensive
alterations which would be required
the cost of conversion is not con-
sidered justified.
"Use of the hospital as a tempo
rary stop-gap until suitable, we'll
located, modern sanatoria can b
constructed appears impracticable il
view of the length of time needed
for reconversion for State use, thu
high cost of conversion, maintenance,
and operation, and the expected
stating difficulties :"