Evening star., 1947-06-19
Ceniel
Await
Senate Action
House Passes Bill,
Blocks VA Hospital
On Neyius Truct

The Independent Ondces Appropri-
alton bill was on its way to the Sem
ate today. carrying initial funds for
the new District Hospital Center but
blocking. temporarily at least, con-
struction OF a veterans hospital on
the Neyius tract in Arlington.
The bill passed the House late
yesterday. carrying an amendment
forbidding construction Of the hos
pital at Lee boulevard and Ridge
road. Arlington, until the Appropri-
ations Committee has investigated
and given final approval.
Missing entirely from the legisla-
ton is q SOS. 900 item to permit the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission to make slum clearance
surveys required under the Rede-
velopment Act of the last Congress.
This was stricken by the Appropri-
ations Committee, and no move was
made to restore it on the floor. Some
action on the Senate side to include
the funds is expected.
Senate Confirms Robinson.
Meantime, the Senate yesterday
confirmed the appointment of
Charles A. Robinson to be mem
Der Of the District Land Redevelop-
ment Agency, key unit in the slum
clearance program.
Formerly vice president of the
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone
Co., he succeeds on the land agency
George A. Garrett, new American
Minister to Ireland.
A total OF s1,700,000 for the new
hospital center, to be erected on q
part of the Naval Observatory tract
on Wisconsin avenue near Massa-
chusetts avenue NV, was ap-
proved without debate.
viii Supplant Hospital Facilities.
The ,500-bed center will supplant
the present facilities of Emergency,
Garfield and Episcopal Eye. Ear,
Nose and Throat Hospitals.
OF the total, $s50,0O0 will be re-
quired for the purchase of portion
Of the site The remaining s750, 600
will go for plans, specifications and
other work preliminary to actual
construction.
The great portion of the site will
be transferred, without exchange OF
funds. from the Navy Department
to the Federal Works Agency.
Smith Blocks VA Hospital.
The block thrown In the way of
the veterans hospital was initiated
by Representative Smith, Democrat,
of Virginia. He offered an amend
ment to bar permanently use of any
funds in the bill or previously
appropriated for purchase of the
Nevius tract or erection of the hos
pital there
Representative Hendricks, Demo-.
crat, OF Florida, however, proposed
less stringent change, leaving final
decision to the Appropriations Com
mittee after investigation. Mr.. Smith
agreed to the change.
In offering the original amend
ment, Mr.. Smith told the House he
was acting to save the Government
some money.
: The Veterans Administration. he
declared, would have to pay 1891 900
or more for the 25-acre tract,
while three miles away the same
amount Of land could be obtained
for SIS 900.
Cites Outlook on Cemetery.
Furthermore, Mr.. Smith con-
tinued the Nevius site overlooks
Arlington Cemetery. He said he
had never heard it was encourag-
ing to the recovery of veterans to
overlook the cemetery in which
some day they might be buried and
to hear the taps and final sslutes"
to their comrades.
Federal land aquisitions are very
rapidly absorbing Arlington County,
anyway, Mr.. Smith added
do you mean" asked Representa-
tive Rich, Republican, of Pennsyl-
vania, that within five minutes of
the site costing 1891 900 there is
site available for 25,000?"
That's exactly what mean," re-
piled Mr.. Smith, "and I hope the
gentleman will support the amend
ment."
well, everybody ought to support
Ii. observed Mr.. Rich.