Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-27
The Burial of the Man in Potter's
Field.
UNJUST CRITICISM COMPLAINED OF
Major Syvester's Letter to the
District Commissioners.
HEALTH OFFICE STATEMENT

the dllenlO" OF the D.Slrltt commissioners
through letter from Maj Sylvester. chief
of police, in which he complained that an
unfair criticism was made of the police de-
partment by DIR. W. p Carr. the coroner of
the District, in letter recently published
in The Star.
In his communication to the Commission
ers. Maj. Sylvester transmitted copy of
an affidavit made by Mr.. f. G.. Hinkle, the
station keeper of the third police precinct.
In which Mr.. HiTkle states he received
telephone message from the hospital stating
that John Coulson, living at 1T2S .
street, was at the hospital Mr.. Hinkle says
he informed the hospital that no such num-
Der as 1I2S appears on street. that
street does net run beyond 18th until 10Th
street is reached. rs that So he says was
the reply of the person telephoning from the
hospital. Il think that was the number.
but will see and call you later"
Nothing more was heard from the hospi-
tai, says Mr.. Hinkle. and it was concluded
that the hospital authorities had discovered
that the lived in some other precinct.
That the man was i'll or dead not COM
municated. he states to the station. and no
request was made for search or investiga-
ton.
Il have only the most favorable opinion
of the institution, wrote Maj Sylvester,
but if a want of Judgment was displayed
by an empioye OF the occasion referred to.
it unfair to endeavOr to unload on the
police. The police at any and all times are
prepared and anxious to relieve distress and
to alleviate suffering in any way. They are
prompt to act in conjunction with the hos
pital authorities. who generally aid them
every way in their power No one more
than the police dread the placing of re-
mains in the potter's field. and it is late
day to assert that they are lacking in
charity
Referred to Health Officer.
The matter was referred to DIR. VIM. c.
Woodward. the health officer who submit
ted TO the Commissioners a detailed account
of the connection OF the health department
with the case. From this statement it ap-
pears that about II o'clock the morning Of
the 18th instant, telephone message from
the Emergency Hospital received by
the permit clerk of the health department,
requesting the removal of a dead body
which had been lying there unclaimed for
twenty-four hours. In response to in
quiry by the clerk as to the hurry con-
corning the burial. answer was received
simply that the hospital could keep it no
longer. The permit clerk telephoned to the
intendant of the Washington Asylum. noti-
flying him as to the size of the coffin to be
furnished, the location of the body, and the
instructions of the hospital for the imme-
diate removal of the remains. The intend
ant complied promptly with the instructions
he received. and during the afternoon the
driver of the city fearse stopped at the
health office with the body his way to
potter's field. 50 as to secure the permit
necessary TO authorize the burial of the de-
ceased and the formal order for the coffin
and grave site. AS authority for the issue
of such permit and order. he presented
death certif cate. giving the name of the de-
ceased as John Coston, the primary cause
of death as oedema of the larynx, and
bearing indorscme Mt, signed by DR.. W.
C. Williams of the Emergency Hospital
that the deceased his relatives were I'M
able to pay for burial.
Certificate Regular in Form.
DR.. Woodward says that the death certifi-
cate was regular IN form and bore no evil
dence that there was any uncertainty as to
the recent residence of the deceased. The
Endorsement to the effect that his relatives
We're unable to pay for burial. he says, not
only conveyed no information that such
relatives had not been notified of the death
but carried with it the idea that they had
been so notified. The burial permit and the
formal order for the coffin and grade site
were. therefore issued and the connection
OF the health department with the case
ceased until II received an application from
the coroner for permit to disinter the re-
mains.
The burial Of dead bodies, explains the
health officer. Is regulated by the act of
Congress of January D, 1898, which pro-
hibits the disposal of any body without
a permit from the health officer. 1t pro-
vides that any one having custody or con-
troll of dead body must report that fact
in writing to the health officer within forty
eight hours after the death of the deceased,
and must not permit it to remain unburied
longer than one week.
Disposal of Bodies.
DR.. Woodward calls attention to the fact
there is no obligation to dispose of 1t be-
fore the expiration of that period the only
statutory provisions relating expressly to
| the disposal CT the bodies of the INDECENT
hatr ~
promotion of anatomical science and to
prevent the Dissertation of graves in the
District. approved February %, 1895.
Inc attention of the Commissioners Ia IN
| vited by the health officer to the fact that
the District morgue is under the control of
the coroner, but who is not, contrary to &.
somewhat prevalent opinion an officer Of
| the health department. The health depart
ment has, says DR.. Woodward, no means
| of transporting. keeping or buryin, dead
! bodies except through the intendant of the
Washington Asylum and the coroner and
| its duties with reference to such bodies are
purely supervisory.
The Course Pursued.
| Those having custody or control of a dead
| body which is to be inferred in potter's
| field. continues DIR. Woodward, necessarily
make application to the health department
| for coffin and for grave site. or if the
| body is to be turned over to a medical col
/ lege application Is made for a permit for
| that purpose. In case will the health
| department take charge of such a body.
| In every case in which an order for a free
| coffin is sought the health department re-
| quireS a written statement from some re-
| sponsible person that the relatives of the
| deceased are unable to pay for the burial
| of the remains.
| While DIR. Woodward makes no comments
| in his report IL is understood that he has
addressed a letter to the coroner, citing the
| law and facts in the case and stating that
| as the consent OF the relatives or friends of
| a person dying In hospital is necessary in
| order to authorize an autopsy Oh the body,
! and that the body in question bore evil
| dence Of an autopsy having been made, this
| constituted additional evidence that the
| mans relatives or friends were known
| Coroner's Statement
| The Commissioners next referred the mat.
ter to the coroner, who has reported to
| them that if he made any reflection upon
the police in his letter published In The
Star it was unintentional. He says he was
informed that the police had been notified
of the and of the mans death ano
| that they were unable to find his relatives
| In trying" said the coroner. ITO defend
the hospital from unwarranted attack
| ccfI al no