Evening star., 1948-02-27
Group Expected
To Approve Aid
For Hospitals
Witnesses Cite Need
Of Funds for Privote
Institutions
o.. A. M
BY Don S. Worren

fdfoTdDle dCClOu on a Dill 10 per-
nit Federal and District Govern
ment grants to nonprofit private
hospitals of Washington for ex-
pansion and improvements was
anticipated today after a hearing
by the Miller subcommittee Of the
House District Committee.
Formal action was delayed to
permit statements to be added to
the record, but Chairman Miller
said the group probably would file
q favorable report with the full
District Committee.
The measure, sponsored by Chair
man Dirksen Of the District Com
mittee, would amend the District
hospital bill Of 1916 to include pro-
visions for grants to private hos
pitfalls not participating in the big
hospital center project.
Asked by Committee.
Such a provision was recon-
mended by the District Committee
in the 1916 hospital center bill which
authorized an outlay of $35, 900 900,
the provision was knocked out on
the House floor.
Members of Congress joined with
hospital spokesmen today in declar-
ing an urgent need for an expansion
of Washington hospital facilities. A
strong demand for immediate action
came from Representative Smith,
Democrat, of Virginia and plea
was voiced by Representative Nor
ton, Democrat, of New Jersey, for
mer chairman of the District Com
mittee.
Others urging approval were Maj.
Gen. Philip B. Fleming, Federal
works administrator; Alan john
stone, works administration general
counsel Health Officer George C.
Rutland and Dr. Herbert P. RAM
say for the Washington Metropoli-
tan Area Health Council, Capt.
Chester Wells for Columbia Hos
pital. Charles D. Drayton for Chill
dren's Hospital, Paul B. Cromelin,
Sibley Hospital, and DR.. Wyrth Post
Baker. who spoke for a committee
representing Casualty, Columbia,
Childrens', Homeopathic and Sibley
Hospitals.
Commissioners Object.
Opposition was registered by the
District Commissioners in a state
ment filed with the committee in
which they stressed the financial
problems already facing the city
government. This financial argu-
ment also was made by Corporation
Counsel Vernon E. West, who said
the only means he knew to provide
necessary additional city revenue
was an increase in taxes.
Mr.. Smith, declaring the situation
here was urgent, pressed DR.. Ruh-
land and Mr. West for an answer
as to what the city government pro-
posed to do about the hospital situ-
alton.
With reference to the hospital cen-
ter project, on which construction
has not yet been started. the Vir-
ginia Representative said he was
afraid I'VE will be dead" before hos
pital conditions are improved.
1900 More Beds Needed.
A statement by Gen. Fleming,
read by James w. Follin, assistant
administrator, estimated a net need
for 200 more hospital beds here.
Present conditions do not reflect
a lack of interest or responsibility by
Washington residents, Gen. Flem-
ing's statement said:
why, then, does this great city,
alive to it's problems, face an almost
tragic and certainly emergent hos
pital situation?" Gen. Fleming
asked.
The answer lies partly in the
artificial relation that exists be-
tween the National and local gov
ernment, but several other factors
also enter in," he continued.
Most Residents Temporary.
One of these, his statement said,
is that most residents live here only
temporarily and a large portion
comes from Maryland and Virginia
for daytime work.
add dominance of the Federal
Government over the local scene,
plus the consequent lack of credit
and funds inherently available to
relieve the local condition. and the
city's predicament becomes much
clearer Gen. Fleming concluded.