Evening star., 1948-05-09
ParIevs to Avert Rail Strike Fail;
Unions Set to Walk Out Tuesday;
U.S.. Maps Plans to Seize Roads
"A Disgrace to Washington
A Study in FutiIity


called attention leaking roofs elevators that wouldn't
run, dirt -sreaked walls.
It reported that medical schools facilities bring
ing modern patients Stunned the place
division trying to do two jobs
spending much should devoted adminsra
ton of the division
The Society," the Public Health Service, the
Commissioners the Health Departmental agreed that
Washngton mentally getting the they deserve
Public consuan brought here from New
the phrase The Star had used in its series OF
articles He too described the psychopatc division as dis
grace to Washington"
The air recommendations and promises Some
thing indeed DONE the Commissioners declared
Six months have passed. been done? Very little
l. voted to break the two
held Dr. Joseph Gilbert head OF the psychopathc d
aenist But the Commissioners would ask CONGRESS
permanent position chief medical officer of psy
chiatry and find the right man for the job
Gilbert still doing two jobs Asked why replacement
found Health Officer George Rutland sent word
that various had been asked to make
suggestions" But nothing has been accomplished
the new position Why not? Because says
positions authorized at Ganger Hospital have been
filled This little anything to do with the failure
to the division failure to get the job
authorized
2 The Commissioners ask for s5o0oO to make
the elevators run and 81 seuson usabe
patients secluded instead of strapped to their
congress appropriated The President signed an
urgent deficiency appropriation for these items March
The inviting bids for the eeva
tors invited bids for the secusion room repairs
Commissioners instructed Galnger in December Der to
the repairs and buy needed equipment out OF
The hospital found out doesn't have
"exsng funds buy the equipment Budget Officer walter
Fowler couldn't understand that Nobody mad told MIN
thought they had everything they needed ne said
Since low salaries obviously of the reasons why
staff be filled the District Personnel Board
putting chief medical officers at Ganger m uhoe
the Act That would make them eligible Tor peoo
pay increases.
The Commissioners got around to acting on the
Commissioner Mason said the problem has
many aspects"
s. The Commissioners voted to ask Congress for 100000 to
plans for building for mental pauent geheray
agreed inescapable need for the future
/ The Hous deeted the request. -,
"m not Senate Appropriations Committee
to restore item," Commissioner Mason said After ALL II
the patients going direct to St. "" may not
g. The Public Health consultant had recommended
direct admission of chronic cases to ST. inns pd a
might make building unnecessary-Wouo require Simple
change in the law. , p.
general agreement that this was good 1dea
would save money the overcowding in Gal
ngers meage pychopahic facilities and benefit the patients
Early in March, asked editorialy why this
simple the had not been sent to Congress- Commits
Mason said that action would have to be taken ~ 10
passed The Corporation Counsel has never
the legislation In fact
laid before the Commissioners He said he's
busy
issued progress report Painting the buildings he said
underway Steps were being taken to install radio P
patients
finished along the wokmen called of
something they back at work in the psycho
after months the paint job Is unfinished
receiving the materials nave never
been ordered The hospital says it has no money.
Earyn January District government engineers were asked
leaks the phyotheapy department
how corrected
leaks. the women's physoherapy DIVISION
electric cabinets still cannot be used rainy days
puddle that forms around it, Attendants
afraid they will electrocute patient
January hospital promised its continuous flow tubs
soothing disturbed patients would be repaired and In use In
few weeks.
The tubs have been repaired training
being given reports much the tubs being
used
thing only professional physiotherapst
using the his department. He has to
electric cabinet treatments another and patients
the tubs watched constantly He has help Dr.
deed the request for another physo
therapist to help him.
Commissioners that something could be
problems undertaking. lack of treatment
facilities overcowdng ordering inquiry into the legal
questions diveng patients to ST. EzabethS These
the there eventually Why have them unnecessarily
detained at Gallinger?
Patients in al still sleeping within easy arm
of each othe-the the old, the alcoholics the
term treatment.
That overcrowding directly to the failure District
officials enabling them to send nonemergency
direct ST. Elizabeth's.
That law Commissioner would solve many Of
the psychopahic divisions problems But he hasn't done
thing about it.
And the patients are still b1s man.eled at Gallinser