Evening star., 1947-11-23
|Whitton Resigns
AsA|exandriia
Hospital Head

/ AQmlniStrorOr RuttS
Week After. Survey
| Criticizes Institution
Robert G. Wilton yesterday an.
nounced his resignation as admin.
|istrator of the Alexandria Hospital
Mr.. Whitton's resignation came
exactly one week after publication
Of findings of a survey Of the hos
pital conducted by a staff of New
York experts which was highly criti-
cal of the hospitals financial and
administrative condition.
In letter to the hospital board.
Mr.. Whitton wrote: ut appears that
the best interests of the Alexandria
Hospital will be served by rendering
my resignation, which I hereby do
at the pleasure Of the board of di-
rectors.'
He added that, as he had no i'm
mediate plans. he offered his serv-
ices ito help accomplish the task
known by all of you"
Board Fails to Act.
The hospital board failed to act
on recommendations of the survey
when it met last week due to the
absence of three members. The
board announced plans Immediately
after that meeting, however, to meet
Monday or Wednesday to consider
the report and promised to move
swiftly to put into effect some of
the reforms recommended as re-
suit of the survey.
The board gave no indication,
however, that the reforms referred
to included Mr.. Whitton who was
described in the report as "the per-
son of ultimate authority generally
Irresponsible for conditions"
Mr.. Whitton said the effective
date of his resignation was up to the
board.
Board Meets Tomorrow.
D. c. Book. chairman of the
board, said last night the board
would meet tomorrow morning to
act on Mr.. Whitton's letter of res
ignation.
The survey that produced criti.
cisim of the hospitals administra-
tive and financial conditions was
undertaken on a recommendation
of the Council of Social Agencies to
settle dispute between the hospi-
tai and the city over indigent-care
rates.
Mr.. Whitton to date has made
no public criticism of the 64-page
survey report. In his letter of res
ignation he made no mention of
the survey, but said; "I have thought
a great deal about the events of
the past week or so. I have thought,
too, about the Alexandria Hospital
and the absolute need for ii to
operate successfully and with full
community support
Points to Service.
In the concluding paragraph of
his letter, Mr.. Whitto1 wrote: IT
would not point to my training and
experiences and accomplishments as
evidenced by the building of the
north and east. wings. I also point
to other improvements In services
and my various positions in the
State and national hospital organi-
cations. I mention these, my critics
to the contrary"
Mr.. Whitton first became ssso-
ciated with the Alexandra Hospital
in June, 1910, when he was elected
treasurer. In March, 1941, the board
named Mr.. Whitton business mana
ger Of the hospital. Nine months
later 1t designated him administra-
tor in full charge of the hospital
He has held the following posi-
tions in hospital groups: Past presi-
dent Of the Virginia Hospital Asso-
citation, past president of the Caro-
linia-Virginias Hospital Conference;
delegate to the House of Delegates
Of the American Hospital Associa-
ton. vice president of the Hospital
Council of the National Capital
Area, senior member Of the Ameri-
can Association Of Hospital Ac-
counts and nominee to the Ameri-
can College Of Hospital Administra-
tors.
Hospital Additions Made.
Under Mr.. Whitton's administra-
tion. the North Wing, East Wing
and Carter Hall for nurses have
been added to the hospital. Hos
pital board members acknowledge
the fact that he played q major role
in obtaining a $500 900 grant from
the Federal Works Agency to help
defray the cost of hospital addi-
tions.
Mr.. Whitton, a native Alexan-
drian, left school due to the death Of
his father after completing his
second year in high school. He
went to work as a runner for the
First National Bank in Alexandria
in September, 1922 and in January,
1927 before he was 81, he was named
assistant cashier, the position he
held when he became associated
with the hospital.
During his service as assistant
cashier at the bank, Mr.. Whitton
was graduated from the Rutgers
University Graduate School of
Banking in 1889 He had completed
his high school education by at
tending night classes at the Wash
ington Preparatory School, gradual
ing in 1881 and winning a scholar
ship to the Law, school of Southeast
ern University.
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