Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-20
DR.. CURTIS RESIGNS
Charges in Relation to Management
of Freedmen's Hospital.
TO HAVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION
Strong Movement to Secure His
Reappointment.
DIR. WAKEFIELD IN CHARGE

DR.. Austin NJ Curtis, surgeon-in-chief of
Freedmen's Hospital, has rendered, and the
Secretary of the Interior has accepted, his
resignation. which took effect August .,
since which time DR.. w. A. Warfield, first
assistant has been acting Surgeon-in-chief
of the institution. This action was the re-
suit of a series of charges made against
DR.. Curtis, which were seriously re-
garded by Secretary Hitchcock that he de-
manded his resignation.
These charges relate to the adminstra-
ton of the hospital and do not affect the
professional work Of the surgeon-in-cAief.
One of the most prominent of these charges
is il is understood. that DR.. Curtis had his
family living in the administration build
ing of the institution, and that he support
ed 1t wholly from the funds of the hos
pital. These and other charges being
placed before the Secretary of the Interior.
DR. Curtis resignation was promptly de-
manded.
Was n Surprise.
1t is understood the board of visitors OF
the hospital recommended that DR.. Curtis
be discontinued as the head of Freedmen's,
and it was on it's recommendation as
well as the charges before him that Mr..
Hitchcock acted. This action came to the
employees of the hospital as a complete
surprise. and a day or two after it was
taken the Secretary left the city on his
annual vacation.
investigation Demanded.
AS soon as DIR. Curtis friends knew of
his difficulty a movement was started to
secure a fuller investigation and his re-
tention in his place. Senators Cullom and
Mason and Mr.. Dawes of Illinois. it is said.
all telegraphed Secretary Hitchcock re-
questing that a complete investigation be
made and that DR.. Curtis be given an OPP
portunty to more fully reply to the charges
against him. and the Secretary held the
case open for further consideration.
DIR. Curtis prepared a very voluminous
reply to criticisms of his management. &C
companying it with numerous affidavits,
but this not filed at the department
until after Mr.. Hitchcock had left the
city, and it will be considered Immediately
upon his return When Acting Secretary
Ryan was seen by Star reporter today he
said the matter was entirely in the hands
of Secretary Hitchcock. and that he would
leave 1t to be acted on after his return.
He said he did not feel at liberty to dis
cuss the matter or to make public any
papers relating to 1t.
Dr. curtis Ret1cent.
DR.. Curtis, when seen this afternoon. de-
clined to discuss his case. as he feared 1t
would prejudice it before the department.
but his friends say they believe his reply to
the charges has been so complete that when
Secretary Hitchcock returns he will be re-
appointed. The surgeOn-in- chief of Freed
mems Hospital was appointed through an
examination held by the civil service COM
mission. and the fact that DR.. Curtis has
resigned places some legal obstacles in
the way OF putting him back the head
OF that institution. Had he been dismissed
he could have been reinstated.
DR.. Curtis was appointed surgeon-in-chief
of Freedmen's Hospital over three years
ago. He was at that time a resident Of
Chicago, H., and graduate of the Rusk
Medical School Of that city. He had for
merry graduated from Lincoln University.
Pa. He is a native Of North Carolina He
is about thirty-ffve years Of age.
DR.. w. A Wartield, who has been desig
mated by Secretary Hitchcock as
acting surgeon-in-chief. Is a grad
uate of Howard University. having entered
the hospital as an inturn I'm 1894 and for
four years he has been first assistant to the
surgeon-in-chief
The position of surgeon-in-chief of Freed
mans Hospital pays 5000 per annum.