Part 1

CONFERENCE OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS SERVING VETERANS OF THE WORLD WAR

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HELD IN AUDITORIUM, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

WASHINGTON, D.C.

JANUARY 17–21, 1922, INCLUSIVE

CONTENTS

Opening Session Tuesday, January 17, 1922. Second Session Tuesday, January 17, 1922. Third Session Wednesday, January 18, 1922. Fourth Session Wednesday, January 18, 1922. Fifth Session Thursday, January 19, 1922. Sixth Session Thursday, January 19, 1922. Seventh Session Friday, January 20, 1922. Eighth Session Friday, January 20, 1922.

CONFERENCE OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS SERVING VETERANS OF THE WORLD WAR

WASHINGTON, D.C. JANUARY 17–21, 1922, INCLUSIVE

AUDITORIUM DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE U.S. FEDERAL BOARD OF HOSPITALIZATION

Brig. Gen. Charles E. Sawyer, Chairman. Chief Coordinator. Col. Chas. R. Forbes, Vice-Chairman. Director, Veterans’ Bureau. Dr. W. A. White, Secretary. Supt., St. Elizabeths Hospital. Maj. Gen. Merritte W. Ireland. Surgeon General, U.S.A. Rear Admiral E. E. Stitt. Surgeon General, U.S.N. Brig. Gen. H. S. Cumming. Surgeon General, U.S.P.H.S. General George H. Wood. President, N.H.D.V.S. Hon. Charles M. Burke. Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCE OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS SERVING VETERANS OF THE WORLD WAR

Opening Session Tuesday, January 17, 1922.

At 10:00 A.M. the meeting was called to order by Brigadier-General Charles E. Sawyer.

The roll was called by Dr. W. A. White.

General Sawyer delivered the following address on the subject, “The Present Status of Federal Hospitalization from the Standpoint of the Federal Board.”

“Commanding Officers:

You are here, as your program indicates, by invitation of the Federal Board of Hospitalization. That you may know your host, the following facts are submitted:

The Federal Board of Hospitalization was created by an Executive Order of President Harding. The purpose of the Board is expressed in the Order creating it, which is as follows:

“Circular No. 44.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Bureau of the Budget WASHINGTON

November 1, 1921.

FEDERAL BOARD OF HOSPITALIZATION.

TO THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND ESTABLISHMENTS:

1. For the purpose of coordinating the separate hospitalization activities of the Medical Department of the Army, the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the Navy, the Public Health Service, St. Elizabeths’ Hospital, the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the Office of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the United States Veterans’ Bureau, there is hereby organized a Federal Board of Hospitalization.

2. The Board shall be composed of the following officials: An official to be designated by the President, who shall be known as Chief Coordinator and who shall be President of the Board; the Surgeon General of the Army; the Surgeon General of the Navy; the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service; the Superintendent of St. Elizabeths’ Hospital; the President, Board of Managers, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers; the Commissioner of Indian Affairs; and the Director of the United States Veterans’ Bureau.

3. It shall be the duty of the Board: