Evening star., 1955-05-17

In House Today
House Commerce Committee
Chairman Priest. Democrat Of
Tennessee, said he planned to
introduce the administrations
polio bill in the House today.
The bill would authorize an
appropriation of $28 million to
be allocated to the States and
the District of Columbia to pay
for free vaccine to children be-
tween the ages of one and 10.
whose families are in the lower
income bracket.
Also, the bill authorizes So
million to be used to strengthen
the personnel force of the Food
and Drug Administration which
will keep a close eye on distribu-
ton of the vaccine.
Many Bills Drafted
Meanwhile, other congression-
al committees had before them
a variety of bills designed to
give the Government different
kinds of new controls over the
vaccine. But spokesman for the
HEW Department, in public
hearings, insisted that kind of
legislation is not needed now.
Mrs. Oveta Culp Hobby. secre-
tary of the Health, Education and
Welfare Department, joined by
several aides, firmly defended the
Presidents program for voluntary
handling of the Salk polio vac
cine yesterday in testimony be-
fore the Senate Labor and We'll
fare Committee.
Committee Chairman Hill,
Democrat, of Alabama, told the
press. after the hearing, the
program developed by Mrs. Hob
by's department and approved
by the President does not con-
sist Of "any final definite de-
tailed system"
Gets No Endorsement
Senator Hill. sponsor of one
bill giving the department more
standby powers than it now has,
failed during repeated question:
ing to get a fiat statement from
any of the witnesses in support
of his measure. Mrs. Hobby
promised a detailed report on
his bill and others later.
The Senator said however, he
believes Congress will appropri-
ate the funds asked by the
President to assure that chill
dren of low income families get
free vaccine.
Mrs. Hobby outlined the ad-
ministration's 11-point voluntary
program for distribution of the
Salk vaccine.
1t included protection OF the
vaccine for safety and potency
by the Public Health Service;
free incubation of children from
5 to 9 by the National Founda-
ton for Infantile Paralysis; al
location of the product among
States on basis of child popula-
ton and responsibility of the
States for local distribution.
This voluntary program, sup
plemented by existing law relat-
ing to drug distribution" she
testified. provides an immedi-
ately available system of distri-
button. Under this program the
vaccine will be distributed equi-
tably and administered in ac-
cordance with scientifically
established age priorities. 1t will
get the vaccine to the children
who need it most with the great
est speed. fairness and effective
ness"
DIR. Leonard Scheele, Surgeon
General of the Public Health
Service. told the committee there
is a tremendous shortage" of
vaccine. But he expressed the
hope that a large number of
children can be immunized be-
fore the peak of the polio sea-
son, estimated to be in August.
On the House side, the Bank
ing and Currency Committee,
considering several bills for dis
tribution of the Salk product, re-
Gently heard DR.. Scheele defend
a voluntary program of handling
the problem at two lengthy
hearings. Standby controls were
advanced during those hearings,
but no action was taken. The
committee adjourned subject to
call of the chairman, Repre-
sentative Spence. Democrat, Of
Kentllckv