Evening star., 1951-04-28
Board Rescinds Order
Firing Penn as Head
'0f County Hospital

The county commissioners have
reversed their controversial de.
cision to fire the superintendent
of Prince Georges General Hospi-
tai but there were indications to.
day that the hospitals admins
trative set-up is far from being
closed issue.
The decision to retain Harry
w. Penn, jr., as superintendent
came in a narrow 3-to-2 vote late
yesterday at Upper Marlboro.
Commissioner Edward ]. Wa
tiers of Berwyn voiced the strong
est dissent. He said he refuses
to submit to intimidations and
threats, regardless of their origin"
Refers to Many Protests.
Mr.. Waters was referring to
relentless protests by the hospitals
medical staff and the county and
State medical societies against
the commissioners dismissal of
Mr.. Penn April 13. The doctors,
along with some church and civic
groups. charged that the all
Republican commissioner were
Iplaying politics with the hospital.
Mr.. Penn is a Democrat and
was appointed superintendent
about 18 months yNSo by the old
Democratic commissioners. The
new commissioners had planned to
replace Mr.. Penn with Republican
Harold Rice, administrator OF
the 16-bed Warren's Hospital at
Laurel. The superintendent's job
pays $4,000 year.
Commissioner Daniel A. Abbott
of Camp Springs. author Of yes
terday's motion resembling the
dismissal action, also criticized the
physicians groups for stirring
up a lot of propaganda"
He added that the "antagonis.
tic attitude of the medical staff"
would make it impossible for Mr.
Rice to get any cooperation and
tne noSplCal Woulo Suner.
Delay Move Fails.
Commission President Thomas
E. Latimer of Glen Dale, and W.
Everett Marion of Laurel, Joined
Mr.. Abbott in voting for the mo-
tion to rescind. H. Wilson Spick-
nall and Mr.. Waters voted against
it. Before the final vote was taken
Mr.. Waters tried 'unsuccessfully tc
get the meeting to adjourn and
postpone action on the motion un-
til Tuesday.
The vote on the April 13 motion
to fire Mr.. Penn and hire Mr.. Rice,
effective May Is, was unanimous,
A statement released by the
commissioners after yesterdays
motion was approved expressed the
hope and sincere desire that
this action will promote and es-
tablish full cooperation and har-
Imony between the medical staff OF
the hospital and the board Of COM
missioners."
Cites Effect of Row.
Citing 'the detrimental effect
this controversy is now having OF
may have in the future upon the
hospital" the statement said 1.-The
sole and only objective prompting
the action of the commissioners
has been and is now the general
welfare of the hospital and its
efficient operation for the benefit
of the citizens of Prince Georges
County"
The statement also noted the
survey of county government
which was begun this week by a
Chicago firm. The survey, it said.
will encompass all phases Of the
hospital and it's operation.
Many observers are already pre-
dieting that the surveyors will rec
|ommend sweeping changes in the
administration of the hospital.
Meanwhile, the county's delega-
|tion to the Maryland legislature
has begun an investigation of its
own, according to Delegate John
Franklin Lillard, jr.
Feels Board Too Large.
Mr.. Lillard said the inquiry is
being made with view toward
introducing some remedial legis-
lation relative to the hospital. He
said he felt personally that a Is
member board of directors is too
large and unwieldy and that the
hospital administration needs
Streamlining.
Mr.. Lillard also was critical Of
the doctors. He said they want to
run the whole show.
Two directors resigned recently,
although only one attributed his
act to the dismissal of Mr.. Penn.
-Four other members of the board
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