Evening star., 1948-10-05
yChdteF BIdmeS
Po|icyDispute
For orResiignation
Health Department
In Alexandria Has
Been Under Fire

Dr. w. Lewis Scnalef, A1eSdHuIla
health officer since 1929, resigned
yesterday due to what he termed
differences of opinion" with num-
Der of city officials.
He would not elaborate, but he
has been at odds with the city ad-
ministration. particularly with
Mayor william T. Wilkins for some
time.
His resignation followed a con-
ference with City Manager Mich
olas Colasanto. Dr. Schafer said
he told Mr.. Colasanto he was re-
signing and confirmed this shortly
afterward by letter.
Survey Is Recalled.
The health officer denied that
the recently completed survey of
the Alexandria Health Department
by State health officials was men,
toned in his meeting with Mr..
Colasanto.
In fact. I have not even seen the
report" DR.. Schafer commented.
The survey, which was asked for
by the City Council, is not to be
made public until later this week
but sources close to the city hall
have indicated it is critical of health
conditions in Alexandria.
DR.. Schaefer said the differences"
he referred to went back quite
some time" He was called before
the City Council three months ago
to explain why an open sewer had
been permitted to exist within the
city several years after it was re-
ported to the Health Department
DR.. Schafer denied that the mat
ter ever came to his attention. One
of his inspectors, Keith Wade, ad-
mitted that he had been notified of
the condition and said he had
sought to correct it.
wilkins Critical.
On that occasion Mayor Wilkins
criticized the Health Department
setup. He said he failed to see how
q department could be administered
properly if there was no system of
keeping the health officer informed.
DR.. Schafer's department first
came under fire after publication OF
Health Facts About Alexandria u
by the League of Women Voters.
This pamphlet. which listed num-
erous sanitation and health short
cornings of the city, prompted the
city councils request for the State
Health Department investigation.
About a week after publication
Of the Facts" grand jury returned
q number of recommendations for
health improvements. These recon-
mendations included elimination OF
privies, and a breakdown on other
unsanitary living conditions.
DR.. Schafer threatened to resign
in August, 1947, when three other
top city officials quit Office. At that
time he said the council did not
fulfill the budget requirements he
outlined. for his department i.
'3 Three Oficials Resigned.
City Manager Carl Budwesky
Police Chief John S. Arnold and
Fire Chief James M. Duncan were
the three officials who resigned then.
It has been obvious in Alexandria
official circles for some time that
there was dissention between the
Mayor and DR.. Schafer. Other city
councilman also have indicated their
displeasure of the administration of
the Health Department, although
they never singled out DR.. Schafer
for personal criticism.
Mayor wilkins and City Manager
Colasanto both said they had mo
comment" to make on the resigna-
ton. Mr.. Colasanto accepted the
resignation, which becomes effective
October 10, although DR.. Schafer left
the Health Department yesterday
for his vacation.
DR.. Schafer said his plans for the
future were indefinite. He had been
an employe of the city since 1926,
and became health officer in 1929.
He served the city continuously ex-
cept during the war years when he
was in the service.
Mr.. Colasanto said he had not yet
given any thought to choosing DR..
Schafer'S SUCCESSOR.