The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-21
HOSPITAL SURGEON RESIGNS.
Charges Said to Have Been Made
Against DR.. Curtis, of Frecdman's.

After having served Tor over three year ,
as head surgeon of Freedmans Hospital
DR.. Austin NJ. Curtis. colored. one of this
city's well known colored physicians. has
rendered his resignation to Secretary
Hitchcock. of the Interior Department,
and 1t has been accepted.
Although DIR. Curtis resignation took
place on the second dav of August moth
ing was given out by the officials regard
ing the matter until yesterday. Even DR..
w. A Warfield who. since the date above
mentioned has been acting as the chief
surgeon in DR.. Curtis place. stated last
night when seen by Times reporter, that
last night was the first time he had heard
of the causes assigned for his former
chiefs resignation.
Il have been acting as the chief sur
gecn." said he last night. since the I'd
of August, the day upon which DR.. Curtis
retired from dutys but 1 never knew why
he sent in his resignation, nor did make
enquiries.
DIR. Curtis and his family are at present
out of the city, summering at Anne
Arundel-on-the-B Bay. Md, and it was said
at his residence last night that it was I'M
possible to say when he would return to
the city g
DR.. Curtis resignation. 1t is said, was
brought about as the result of series
of charges made against him. which Sec
rotary Hitchcock deemed of such an i'm
portant nature. that when he had
perused them he at once demanded the
former chief surgeons resignation.
While It is impossible as yet to learn
accurately just what the charges against
DR.. Curtis consist of. it was learned that
they relate more directly to the admin
istration of affairs of the hospital. rather
than to the former heads professional
work.
The most important of the charges pre-
ferred against DIR. Curtis. is one, 1t is
said, which alleges that the former sur
geon had his family living with him in
one of the buildings of the institution
and that he was supporting them solely
from the funds of the institution. 1t was
impossible last night. however, to ascer-
tain whether or not the allegation was
true. as the surgeons at the hospital
were very reticent and refused to discuss
the matter for publication.
The attention of Secretary Hitchcock
was drawn to the conduct of DR.. Curtis
it is said. by the board of visitors, who
recommended strongly that the Secretary
demand Curtis resignation. which the
latter. after an examination into the mat
ter. did. much to the surprise of many
of the hospital attaches. Shortly after
taking this action, Mr.. Hitchcock, II is
said. left the city on his vacation. and
as DIR. Curtis friends were unable to
reach him, they telegraphed at once to
Senators Cullom and Mason, who. in turn,
communicated with the Secretary of the
Interior. asking him to make a more COM
plete investigation into the AFFAIR, and
give DR. Curtis a chance to make a more
detailed reply to the charges laid against
him. The Secretary, 1t Is said. granted
the request. and in all probability upon
Mr.. Hitchcocks return to this city. the
case Will be thoroughly aired. and prob
ably his recent order rescinded/
In the meantime DR.. Curtis prepared a
report of unusual proportion replying to
accompanying 1t with numerous affidavits.
but he failed to file II until Secretary
Hitchcock had left the city.
Dr. Curtis was appointed to the posi-
ton of surgeon-in-chief of Freedman s
Hospital over three years ago. he being
at the time of his appointment a resident
of Chicago. ILL.,. and graduate of the
Rush Medical School of that city. He is
also a graduate OF the Lincoln University,
of the State of Pennsylvania
Since his regime the hospital has been
of great value to the Police Department
of this city, especially to the Eighth pre-
cinct No matter at what hour. when
the other hospitals refused to send their
ambuiances out on emergency cases.
which the police were unable to handle.
DIR. Curtis. on numerous occasions, had
to accommodate. the police officials. His
retirement has caused general regret
among the residents in-the vicinity of the
hospital. .ei--F