Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War

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 

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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:

(a) To consider all questions relative to the coordination of hospitalization of the departments represented.

(b) To standardize requirements, to expedite the inter-department use of existing Government facilities, to eliminate duplication in the purchase of supplies and the erection of buildings.

(c) To formulate plans designed to knit together in proper coordination the activities of the several departments and establishments, with a view to safeguarding the interests of the Government and to increasing the usefulness and efficiency of the several organizations, and to report to the President thereon.

4. The Chief Coordinator of the Board of Hospitalization shall preside over the Board and be responsible for its efficiency and for developing its activities along practical lines. After a full discussion of any question by the Board, the decision of the Chief Coordinator will be final as to any action to be taken or any policy to be pursued, but any member may appeal from the decision