New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-25
THEY FOLLOW DIR. JANEWAY.
PHYSICIANS ABANDON TIE HEALTH BOARD.
DIR. jacob AND DIR. PRUDDEN CANNOT ToLER-
ATE THE TAMM,NY POLITICAL MACHINE.

DIR. jacob AND DIR. PRUDDEN CANNOT ToLER-
ATE THE TAMMANY POLITICAL MACHINE.
The recent example of DR. f. G. Janeway. who
resigned his place as consulting pahologiSt Of the
Health Department because the Health
Board had made changes In the depart
ment for political reasons. has been followed
by two other we-known physicians. DR.. Abraham
Jacob who consulting physician at the liealth
Departments hospitals in East Sixtecnth-st.. and
DIR. r. Mitchell Pruddcn. who was of the
departments consulting pathologsts sent their
designations to the Health Board a week ago.
The resignationS were accepted on Tuesday. ana
notices 10 that effect were sent to Drs. jacob
and Prudden but the Health Commissioners kept
the facts from the newspaper reporters
The refusal of such prominent members OF thc
medical profession to remain in association with
the Health Board may bring the Board into serious
conflict with the Academy Of Medicine and the
County Medical Society. Such designations were
unhcard of before the Health Board was trans
formed from a non-partisan body into part of
the Tammany machine Since the appointment OF
Health Officer Jenkins, the four members of the
Health Board have been Democrats. President
Wilson had not been known as Tammany pol
itician before he was appointed to office by Mayor
Grant Dr. Jenkins and President Martin Of the
Police Board the two ex-Ofiico members of the
Health Board are and have been prominent in the
councils of Tammany Hall Commissioners Bryant,
although not a member of the Tammany organl-
7ation. is on Governor Flowers staff as Surgeon
General
Political pressure on the Health Board was
shown recently by the forced designations or
Colonel Prentice who had been the attorney and
counsel of the Board for many years, and Of Sanl-
tary Superintendent Ewing No charges Of mis-
conduct were made against these officials. They
were called before President Wilson and ordered
10 offer their designations in order 10 make room
for politicians Other changes which evidently
had been dictated by the 1ammany leaders for
political purposes, were made at the same time.
DR.. Jnneway quickly resigned tie honorary
place which he held. He had been Health Com
missioner when the department was free from
political control. and he did not hesitate TO say
publicly that he resigned his office consult
ing pathologist because he did not approve the
political methods Of the Health Board.
Dr. Jacobi, who lives at No. 10 West Thirty
fourth-st. said yesterday that he had acted from
the same motives which induced the resignation
Of Dr. Jnncway He wished that Dr. Janeway
had called meeting of the physicians holding
honorary places by appointment of the Health
Commissioners in order that concerted action
might have been taken. At the time Of
DR.. Janeways withdrawal, DR. jacob said.
he had been too busy 10 make an
investigation, but laJ'y he had satisfied him
self that the changes in the Health Department
were made for political reasons He had advised
his colleagues in the Medical Board Of his nten-
ton TO resign, and he intended also to resign
from the Conference Committee Of the Academy
OF Medicine. The next meeting Of the Academy
Of Medicine will be in October, and notice OF the
Health Boards political bias doubtless VIII be
taken then.
Dr. Prudden, when found in the laboratory OF
the College OF Physicians and Surgeons, said hls
resignation was not n subject about which he
cared to talk. lie had preferred 10 sever his con-
nection with the Health Department for reasons
which were satisfactory 10 himself Dr. Jacohi
was instrumental in shaping the movement which
led 10 the building of the Willard Parker Hos,
pital for the Health Department. He also helped
70 induce the Academy of Medicine 10 appoint
the conference committee which was intended to
aid the Health Board in enforcing Quarantine
regulations .,
Members Of the Medical Board who still retain
their honorary places TO which they were APP
pointed by the Health Commissioners are Drs
Herman W. Legs, Horace LOOMS, David NJ
Stimson, stephen Smith, Joseph O'Dwyer and
Richard II. Derby.