Evening star., 1951-10-12
Halls
Grants
Bill in Senate
Supporters Voice
Hope for Passage
Later This Session

Federal ana DlStrlct grants 10
private non-profit hospitals here
was blocked on the Senate floor
yesterday, but may come UP for
action later.
The bill was opposed by Sena-
tor Johnston. Democrat, of South
Carolina Proponents expressed
the hope the Senate would take
it up again sometime before the
end Of this session of Congress.
The hospital bill was among
other District measures blocked
during call Of the Senate calendar
The only city legislation passed
by the Senate was a bill to al
low charitable. educational and
religious corporations to invest
their funds in common or pre-
ferred corporate stocks. The bill
went to the House.
Other Bills Blocked.
Among the local bills opposed
and blocked. but still remaining
on the calendar for future con-
sideration were those to:
Provide limited self-government
tor Washington; permit evidence
of alcoholic tests Of drivers In
court cases involving automobile
accidents: authorize Federal pur-
chase Of the Longwood School
near Bethesda. already rented by
the Government as a Federal
civil defense training school; pro-
vide aviation training for high
school pupils, and extend the
Federal Youth Correction Act to
the District of Columbia.
Senator Johnston stirred con-
siderable debate by his objection
to the hospital grant bill.
Senator Pastore, Democrat, OF
Rhode Island. who handled the
measure in a District subcommit-
tee, expressed the hope that the
measure would come up before
the Senate adjourns for this ses-
sion, so it could be debated and
acted on.
Johnston Opposes Precedent.
Senator Mcmahon, Democrat, OF
Connecticut. who was presiding
over the Senate at the time
joined with the Rhode Island law
maker in the request.
Senator Johnston told his COL
leagues: "It sets up a precedent
we do not want. It says to every
religious hospital you can come
in and get your money. I shall
continue to oppose the measure
Senator McCarran, Democrat
Iof Nevada, declared he was sorry
to hear Senator Johnston oppose
the measure. because hospitals
were rendering a great humani-
tartan service to the needy. af-
f1icted and sick" Now Is the time,
he insisted. for this Christian Ma
ton to set an example to the
other nations of the world.
The South Carolinian responded
|by saying church hospitals were
doing a great work, but added,
II am trying to do the right thing
for the taxpayers. He referred
to congressional appropriations
for the new Washington Hospital
Center. which has not yet been
constructed. and suggested that
in the future the sick could go to
that center.
Hospitals Involved.
The Hospital Center. to be built
on the Soldiers Home grounds
will include Emergency. Garfield
and Episcopal Hospitals.
| Among the institutions hoping
to rebuild, or renovate their pres
ent plants under the pending legis-
lation are: Providence. Casualty
Children's, Homeopathic.
Senator Case. Republican. o1
South Dakota held up the meas
ure to bring the District under
the Federal Youth Corrections
Act, because he wanted members
of the Senate District subcom-
mittee on judiciary to study the
bill. The measure was reported
to the Senate by the Senate Ju-
dietary Committee, headed BY
Senator McCarran.