Captain Norman J. Blackwood, U.S.N.,
Surgeon M. C. Guthrie, U. S. Veterans’ Bureau,
Asst. Surg. Gen. J. W. Kerr, U.S.P.H.S.,
Colonel James A. Mattison, N.H.D.V.S.,
Major L. L. Hopwood, U.S.A.
General Sawyer urged that the Committee on Forms meet at the earliest possible moment in order that plans may be devised to take up immediately the work involved in this connection and that suggestions be obtained from the Committee, which will necessarily be brought to the attention of the heads of the Departments represented in the Federal Board of Hospitalization. He stated that every endeavor will be made to simplify matters in order that clerical work may be reduced to the lowest point consistent with the requirements of law. He pointed out in this connection that the requirements of this nature had recently been modified by over fifty per cent and that the Internal Revenue Service is now taking up this same subject.
General Sawyer introduced Major General Merritte W. Ireland, who presided over the morning session.
GENERAL IRELAND: requested those present to make extensive notes as to the points brought out by the various speakers relative to such matters it was desired to discuss later, stating that the papers would first be read and would then be open for discussion.
COL. P. S. HALLORAN: read a paper on the subject of “U.S. Veterans’ Bureau Inspections, U. S. Veterans’ Hospitals”, as follows:
“The inspections of the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau hospitals were formerly made by the General Inspection Service of the U. S. Public Health Service.