Evening star., 1953-01-14
Site for SibIeY

letter is: Where will Sibley Memorial
Hospital find seven acres for its pro-
posed greatly enlarged modern hospital
buildings?"
A lifelong resident Of Southeast
Washington, I have been for many
years associated with others working
for an orderly and attractive develop
ment Of our area, roughly bounded by
Pennsylvania avenue, Ridge road. Ana
costa River park and Alabama avenue.
Passing over many minor needs, our
major slow-moving projects were
SchoolhouSes, parks and Fairgrounds
and Massachusetts, avenue bridge.
Our efforts have been crowned with
success, except the bridge, which failure
we do not now regret.
About Is years ago my brother and
joined the late Charles c. Glover and
his associates in obtaining parcel of
land to be given to the United States
as starter for Fort Dupont Park. To-
day the park is TOO acres in extent,
beautifully wooded, containing an 18-
hole golf course with q fine clubhouse
containing lockers and refreshment
facilities, baseball diamonds. football
field, tennis courts, about IL stone fire.
places with city water at hand and fire.
wood free.
Sibley Hospital is not charity hos
pital but it does maintain fund to
meet exceptional cases. It does not re-
ceive congressional aid or an allotment
from the Community Chest. It's new
plant will, however be Federal aided.
The usefulness of hospital depends
in a large degree on its availability
convenient alike to doctors, nurses.
patients and friends.
The grounds of the American Uni
versity lie on the south side of Massa-
chusetts avenue, 5.4 miles west of the
Capitol and within "a of mile of the
District line. Fort Dupont Park is north
of Massachusetts, avenue 80 miles east
Of the Capitol, elevation $40 feet.
The Government is now building
large hospital for veterans in the Sol
dierS' Home grounds and undoubtedly
would look with favor on hospital 10
Gated in Fort Dupont Park. think
all should bear in mind that any re-
quests for Federal aid will be very
closely Scrutinized in the interests OF
economy. Charles A. Barker.
There are many times 400" people
here in the Capital who say three
cheers for the letter entitled Doctors
Views on New Sibley."
It Is indeed heartening to have it
pointed out to the 400" objectors that
a hospital is not to be opposed as a
noisy, vulgar institution. likened unto
a dive in the slums attracting the low
est of mankind: but rather is it an
i,ar IF Cnd Nannfinn urpof
humanitarian need. a symbol of love
and mercy, an ever-present help in
time of need to the sick and unfortu-
nate.
Throughout this great land of ours,
there are scores of hospitals located
in choice. prosperous residential areas
far superior to that of Spring Valley
and Wesley Heights.
Northwest Neighbor.
For the first time in over 20 years
residence in the District 1 attended a
hearing before our three Commission
ers-the zoning hearing on the Amer
lean University project to raid the ad-
joining residential district.
have many times read various criti-
cisms of our Commissioners, so I wish
to take this opportunity to say that it
was a pleasure to attend this hearing.
The Commissioners conducted it with
courtesy and fairness and I was par
ticularly impressed with the new Com
missioner, Gen. Prentiss, who showed
sympathetic understanding and genial
patience during a difficult session in
which there were vigorous partisanS
on both sides
Harriet Rowe Warner.
AS an alumnus of American Uni
versity (Class of 193D, have been
reading with interest and increasing in
dignation of the efforts Of the residents
of Spring Valley to prevent the build
ing Of the new Sibley Hospital on the
university campus.
One Spring Valley resident complains
that "We've had no thanks yet from
the university for what the residents
have done to better the area" She
and other residents of Spring Valley
should be reminded that the university
was there long before they arrived on
the scene and that it's presence was
large factor in making the area deSir-
able for residential use. However, it
may be fairly questioned whether the
area has been bettered by the intrusion
of snobbish newcomers who seek to
prevent legitimate development Of the
campus. Norman S. Cramer.
DR.. Thomas Mattingly states that
building the proposed new Sibley Hos
pital on the grounds of American Uni
versity would create no traffic hazards
for the students at Horace Mann
school, Has it ever occurred to him
that there are no set hours for ambu-
lances or emergencies of any kind?
Barbara Stringfield.
It infuriates me to read of such ex-
elusive people not wanting this institu-
ton and that institution in their parti-
cular exclusive area. am glad that I
live in an area where hospital is going
to be built and where services can be
This and Tn
The fur of animals is one of the most
wonderful things in the world.