Evening star., 1947-10-28
Ruh|andP|edges
Co-operationin in
Treating Drunks
GoIIineer to Accept
All Cases to Limit
Of Its Capacity

Hospital, thus ending, for the mo-
ment, at least, brief controversy
that threatened the arrangement.
Police Supt. Robert J. Barrett, at
conference this morning with the
Commissioners, likewise pledged po-
lice cooperation and said that not
all persons arrested for being drunk
would be sent to the hospital to be
examined and kept overnight.
The controversy over the new ar.
rangement developed yesterday
when DR.. Rutland complained in a
letter to the Commissioners that
the hospital lacked facilities for ad-
mittance of a large number OF
drunks.
Debate Is Spirited.
The confusion was ironed out, but
not before DR.. Rutland and Com
missioner Guy Mason became in
volved in spirited debate over the
proposal
In the end, DR.. Ruhland pledged
that Gallinger, to the limit of its
facilities, would treat all cases
brought to the institution and Mai
Barrett expressed satisfaction at the
arrangement. Only persons appar-
entity in need of medical care would
be so referred. he said.
A hopeful look to the future was
injected by Mr.. Mason as he an
nounced that prospects for more
complete medical treatment of alco-
hollcs would be discussed at a meet
ing tomorrow to work out ways and
means of implementing the Hebert
Act for establishment of alcoholic
clinics here.
Meeting Tomorrow.
The Advisory Committee on al
coholic clinics will meet with Mr.
Mason at 2:30 pm. tomorrow in his
office, the Commissioner said.
OmclalS estimate that about $75.-
600 will be realized this year for
the alcoholic clinics under the new
law increasing the cost of all liquor
licenses In the District by 10 per
cent Whether this can be spent
for construction or establishment of
facilities in present hospitals and
public buildings remains to be con-
sidered.
Commissioner Mason and DR.
Rutland engaged at first in a dis
cussion over Interpretation of DR.
Ruhlands letter on the sick drunk
problem at Gallinger.
The Commissioner told the health
officer his report definitely showed
a lack OF cooperation in the pro-
gram.
Problems Explained.
DR.. Rutland said he was astounded
at Mason's Interpretation. He said
he merely was explaining the limi-
tation of facilities. ..s,..
Brig. Gen. Gordon r. Young
Engineer Commission, drew from
Health Department officials the ad-
mission that not more than IL or
Is drunks had ever been refused
admission to Gallinger because of
a lack of facilities. The space prob
lem, therefore, Gen. Young con-
cluded, was irrelevant to the issue
at stake
An investigation of Maj. Barrett's
report that more than 600 prisoners
had been refused hospital admission,
DR.. Rutland told the conference
showed that 426 of these were never
brought to Gallinger Hospital. For
ty-eight had been admitted, he said,
and others were under investiga-
ton.
Maj. Barrett countered with the
explanation that he never intended
to imply that all 600 had been taken
to Gal]lnger. Many of them had
been taken to other hospitals In
the city, he said. The police still
are sending picked-up drunks to
other hospitals for treatment as we'll
as to Gallinger, Maj. Barrett en-
pnasized.
Legal Question Raised.
DR.. Ruhland's suggestion in his
letter that most drinks should be
housed in the District Jail hospital
raised the legal question over
whether they could be locked uu
without commitment or a formal
police charge.
DR.. Philip A. Stebbing. medical
superintendent Of the Jail hospital
explained that the hospital would
expect commitment from the police
or the court before locking up any
sick drunk. But, he explained, it
may be possible to care for some in
other wards where they would not
be locked up If their physical con-
dition warranted it.
Vernon West, corporation counsel,
has warned the Commissioners that
to lock up drunken person without
formal commitment would constitute
false arrest.
Four Fatalities Recently.
Today'S conference was held
following four recent deaths of per-
sons arrested on charges of intoxi-
cation. The latest fatality was a
48-year-old woman who died at
Gallinger Hospital early yesterday
after having been sent there Friday
by police for observation She was
Mrs. Martha Jones, alias Blanche
Jones, of the 900 block of w street
NV. District Coroner A. Magruder
Macdonald, after an autopsy, issued
a certificate that death was due to
a cerebral hemorrhage.
Mrs. Bessie johnson, GIT Florida
avenue NV, sister of the dead
woman, expressed doubt, however,
that intoxication had caused her sis
ter's death. She said Mrs. Jones
suffered from blood pressure and had
not completely recovered from an
operation last January. She said
Mrs. Jones was taking a walk when
stricken and that she died without
regaining consciousness.
Five persons charged with being
drunk were received at Gallinger
during the last "a hours, hospital
officials reported. None is. in crit
ical condition, doctors said. :.