Evening star., 1950-03-08
Boone Told Shift
due 10 Failure
To To'Co-operate'
Vinson Asks Johnson
To Delay Cutbock
In Hospital Service

Rear Admiral Joel T. Boone told
House Armed Services Subcom-
mittee today he was informed he
was being relieved of his high
medical post in the Defense De-
partment because he had been
"unco-operative."
But, he said, he was unable to
get any information as to when
and how he had failed to CO.
operate.
AS a matter of fact, the critic
of Defense Secretary Johnson's
economy cut in military hospital
facilities said the official who
asked his transfer admitted he
couldn't give an instance.
Admiral Boone, who served az
White House physician to Presi-
dents Harding. Coolidge and Will
son, told the subcommittee DR..
Richard L. Melting. director Of
medical services in the Defense
Department, had demanded his
removal.
The long time Navy medical Of
flcer said DR.. Melting was per-
sonal friend whom he and Mrs.
Boone had sought to help in his
career.
Urges Cutback Be Delayed.
AS the subcommittee listened
to Armiral Boone's account of the
circumstances of his transfer from
his position as chief of the Joint
Plans and Action Division of the
Defense Department Office OF
Medical Service, Chairman VIM
son of the full committee dis
patched a letter to Mr.. johnson.
He reiterated the subcommittee
reuqest that the hospital cutback
plans be held in allegiance pend
ing completion of the current in
vestigation.
Mr.. Vinson pointed out that fu-
ture hospital needs could not bs
estimated accurately until the Ca
reer Compensation Act for the
Armed Forces was brought into
full operation.
Meanwhile, DR.. Melting issued 4
statement at the Pentagon saying
that he had asked Admiral
Boone's replacement last Novem-
ber because he was mot in sym
!; pathy with the medical economy
program"
Notified February 2S.
He added that Rear Admiral
Clifford A. Swanson, Navy surgeon
general, had .concurred in the re-
quest and that Admiral Boone
had been notified February %
that he was to be reassigned
within the Navy.
DR.. Melting commented on Ad-
miral Boone's distinguished mill
tary record" and said that he had
every right to make any state
ment he desires before committees
of Congress or elsewhere"
But, DR.. Melting added, in Oc-
tober the military services had in
excess of 100000 hospital beds and
were maintaining staff to care
for 46,281 patients. At that time.
he reported, the hospitals aver
aged 19,848 military patients.
5,121 dependents and 5,211 veter-
ans.
This situation brought about the
cutback order which the subcom-
mittee in investigating, he said.
Representative Shafer. Repub-
lican, OF Michigan, asked Admiral
Boone what he had to say about
DR.. Meiling's statement.
Talked With DR.. Melting.
Admiral Boone said he was not
aware of the statement but had
had no indication of the "unco-
operative" charge until he talked
with DR.. Melting last Thursday
about his transfer. At that time,
he said, DR.. Melting told him the
matter had been "in the mill"
since October because of Admiral
Boone's former position with the
Hawley Committee, which had
recommended against closing hos
pitfalls.
1--WE decided we had to find 4
way to get you out of the road"
Admiral Boone said DR.. Melting
explained.
Admiral Boone. so, has been in
the Navy since 1914. With that
much service he is eligible to retire,
(See BOONE, Page A-4.)