New-York tribune., 1900-12-31
FLINT PROMISES A REPORT
MORE DISCLOSURES IN BELLEVUE
TROUBLE EXPECTED-KELLER
SERIOUSLY ILL.

Some of the features of the present manasemen'
/ of Bellevue Hospital will receive an airing on
! Wednesday before the Medical Board OF the hos-
| ptal when Dr. Austin Flint one or the examining
| physicians in the insane pavilion will make an
| extended report with reference TO the case OF
| Luther Edgerton Newport, who was examined oy
| Drs Flint and Allen Fitch in August last tor
! which DR. Flint rendered a bill TO the family
| for $500
| Commissioner KeIlers letter to the Medical
Board of which DIR. Charles l.. Dana is president
has stirred up a great deal of feeling, ana at the
meeting on Wednesday II is expected that num-
Der of things VIII be brought up whlcn WIN put
Commissioner Keller on the defensive. Dinerent
physicians in the Medical Board are indignant
that any city official SHOULD, without the iuliest
investigation of all the facts crticise them ana
practically them of negligence IN lhe uiS-
charge of their duties.
In the case of Luther Edgerton Newport inter-
ested persons have represented to Comhssloher
Keller. 1t is said. that Drs. Flint ana f1tch nave
violated the rules in charging for an examination
of Mr.. Newport's mental condition last summer
Mr. Newport was committed to AmityVille from
Bellevue on August q last. and on the foilowlns
day. it is understood. the family of Mr. Newport
received a bill, of which this is copy;
General Reese NJ. Newport. The Lenox, No. West
To Austin Flint. NJ. D. and Allen Fitch, M d.
DIR. For professional services in the matter OF
Luther E. Newport; examination into the mental
condition of L, E Newport, August r. 1900; prep p
Jrdtse" Jndge of ot court Of record in fun
Received payment
Commissioner Keller on Saturday declared that
he would demand a full explanation from DTS
Flint and Fitch with reference to this charge His
demand may be entirely ignored. unless he ap-
proaches the subject with customary moderation
as both physicians, their riends said yesterday
are angry at Commissioner Keller. DR.. Flint is
preparfrg a statement which will be sent to-day
to the Medical Board for conside ration on Wednes
day When seen yesterday by a Tribune reporter
he made u following statement:
I am preparing a statement for the Medical Board
at its meeting to be held "Wednesday, ana II
what the statement contains. will say with refer.
ence TO the Newport case. that the courtesy vi
being permitted to examine private pauehtS N @ tle
nsvjIions for the insane at Bellevue Hospital mas
always been extended to members or the heulcdl
Board of Bellevue Hospital, and to other physicians
not members of the Medical Board and as iaT as
l know, that courtesy never mas peen uSIIieu ~ ~
any qualified examiner in lunacy. and examinations
of the Department of Public Charlties ana are ote
same as examinations made elsewhere IN private
houses. hotels or asylumS for the insane
Friends of DR.. Flint said that the charge Of $500
is a. customary one. 1t also said that Dr. F1tchs
name on the bill rendered to General Newport
had no particular significance further than meaning
that II covered any services that DR.. Fitch may
have rendered 1t was said last night that all thls
will be fully explained by DR.. Flint in his statement
to the Medical Board. Friends of Dr. Flint said
last night that he would call the attention Oh the
Medical Board to a number of things which nave
been quietly discussed by the Board from time 10
time FOR which Commissioner Keller and his asso-
ciates in the Department of CHARITIES are aleseo
Commissoner Keller was so i'll yesterday that he
was not allowed by his doctor to see any caliers
him. and his ndisposiuon, which seemed trlnIns at at
first has developed into SERIOUS 1lness; vi ~
SATURDAY ne hoped to ne aoGus ON nsb II was said
that he might not be out for several days