Evening star., 1948-01-09
GaI|inger Head
5ympathizes
With PayP|ea
Points Out, However,
Salaries Correspond
To Service Scales

health officer; today had for study
a letter from Dr. Alvin r. Sweeney,
superintendent of Gallinger Hospi-
tai, in which DR.. Sweeney wrote he
was in sympathy with recommends
tions of the seven chief medical off,
GERS for higher pay and more op-
portunity for advancement at the
hospital.
DR.. Sweeney pointed out, however,
their salaries correspond rather
closely tothose paid to commissioned
officers of various medical services,
including Army, Navy, Coast Guard
and United States Public Health
Service"
Meanwhile, DR.. George j. Maresh
of Boston City Hospital, currently
the principal prospect for successor
to DR.. Joseph T. Roberts as chief
medical officer, was touring CALM
ger and meeting members of the
professional staff.
DR.. Sweeney said DR.. Maresh also
would confer with DR.. Ruhland. He
added a decision might be made
next week on filling the post, vacated
when DR.. Roberts resigned to be-
come dean of the University of
Arkansas Medical School.
Salaries Compare With Colonels.
In his remarks to DR.. Rutland on
the medical officers recommended
tions, DR.. Sweeney stated their sal
aries were comparable to those of a
medical colonel in the Army, captain
in the Navy or medical director in
the Public Health Service.
He pointed out, further, that
"these officers attain this rank after
26 years of active service, and all
such officers are liable to change of
station either on long or short
notice, and not less often than
once every four years"
On the medical officers contention
their salaries compare unfavorably
with those paid for similar positions
in veteran hospitals, DR.. Sweeney
commented:
This point might be quite well
taken. However, it should be borne
in mind medical officers in the
Veterans Administration are also
subject to transfer"
Hours Thought Flexible.
With respect to overtime compen-
sation, DR.. Sweeney said it had
been his feeling, lowing to the pro-
fessional status and to the honored
position of physicians, whether in
private practice or Government
service, that they ordinarily would
not expect nor demand the same
adherence to specific hours of duty
rs non-professional personnel"
Concerning attendance at meet
ings of professional societies, DR.:
Sweeney recalled he had recon-
mended to the Commissioners such
physicians be permitted to attend
at their own expense, where appro-
priations would not permit the Dis
trict to pay their expenses, without
having time away from their posts
charged to annual leave. DR.. SWee-
ney pointed out the Federal Gov
ernment follows this policy.
DR.. Sweeney said no money had
been made available for research in
the hospital, but chief medical Off
GERS had been able to participate,
from time to time, in research prof.
ects of medical schools.
Little Dining Room Aid.
He said he knew of no way in
which dining room privileges for
visiting doctors could be provided
at the hospital, nor is it deemed
In the public interest that such
privileges be permitted without
compensation"
Provision of hospital care for pro-
fessional personnel deserves study
and consideration, especially where
reimbursement is made at the per
diem COST" DR.. Sweeney COM
mented.
Secretarial and technical assist
ance has been furnished chief medi-
cal officers insofar as appropriations
have permitted, he added, in re-
marking on another recommends
ton Of the doctors.
DR.. Ruhland has turned DR..
sweeney's letter and the original
recommendation over to the Health
Departments personnel chief for
st,1dy and a report.