Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-29

sensation was caused in the health Office
yesterday when it was learned that Mr.. b r.
Peters one Of the oldest clerks in the Office, had
ing such leave and against his protest. Such
action was taken by Health Officer Tovnshend,
who Is to be succeeded by DR.. Hammett next
Saturday. The leave thus forced upon the
clerk was considered by him the same as . sus-
pension and while no cause was assigned he
readily understands what prompted the health
officer to take the step.
In Mr.. Cranes letter 10 the Commissioner
last week he referred to the presence Of one Of
the clerks at DR.. Hammett's house and Mr..
Peters was the clerk referred TO, although his
name was not mentioned.
=, Having been sick few days and away from
the office Mr.. Peters protested against being
forced to take his leave at this time, and al
though he left the Office early yesterday he was
ct his desk bright and early this morning.
Dr.: Towushend was also there, but he said
nothing to the clerk. DR.. Townshend only re-
manned in his office short time, and after he
left Deputy Health Officer McGinn gave the
clerk to understand that DR.. Townshend would
return in a short time, and give him to further
understand that the retiring official would not
like to see him in the Office when he returned.
This is what Mr.. Peters says, but instead of
leaving the building he went into one Of the
rear rooms to wait the short time, but DR..
Townshend did not return until about noon.
All this time Mr.. Peters had his resignation
in his pocket ready to tender to his chief. but
at the advice of friends he has decided not to
hand 1t In, at least for the present
When Deputy Health Officer McGinn spoke
to him this morning Mr.. Peters said he asked
for written orders concerning his suspension,
but was informed that he was only on leave,
but still the clerk insisted that he wanted NO
leave Of absence.
Later in the day Mr.. Peters had talk with
d.. Townshend, and the latter told him to con.
slider himself on leave as long as he (Townshend)
remained in the Office.
Concerning the printed statement as con.
tanned in Mr.. Cranes letter that he peters, was
present at the conference at DIR. Hammett't
house Mr.. Peters said to STAR reporter today
that such was not the case; that he called at DIR.
Hammetts house at the doctors request and
gave him information concerning the sanitary
districts of the city and also some information
In regard to the physicians to the poor.
Mr.. Peters returned to the health Office this
afternoon after his talk with DIR. Townshend
and remained there some time, but did not at
tempt to perform any work, as he is on leave. "
WHAT DIR. TowNsHEND SAYS
When seen this afternoon by STAR reporter,
Dr.. Townshend said that the leave of Clerk
Peters had nothing in the world to do with
the statement that he peters, was present at q
CONFERENCE nelu AT III Hammetts mouse.
He said that Mr. Peters. who had been on
sick leave, did not look well enough to perform
the important duties OF his Office and he
(Townsherd) told him to continue on his leave
until the LIST of August, as by that time be
might feel all right and more like working.
DR.. Townshend said he did not know whe thel
Peters was present at the conference or not
except from what he had heard, and he believed
that he was there.
THAT, however" he added, 'had nothing tc
do with my continuing him on the sick leave
Mr.. Peters he said, was not suspended or dis
missed, but simply continued on his sicl
leave.