The Washington times., 1903-11-14
POLICE MAKE REPLY
TO C. B. TODD'S CHARGES
No Hardship Inflicted on
Him While in Custody.
FAMILY NOTIFIED AT ONCE
Have S=ai Letters Thanking Authorities
for Their Kindness in Car
ing for Author.

Major Sylvester, Chief of Police, and
Sanitary Officer J. A. Frank. have just
completed an exhaustive reply to the
charges against their respective depart
ments. made by Chlrles Burr Todd. the
member OF the Society Of American
Authors who was recently confined in
ST. Elizabeth's Asylum for the Ins;lne.
but who Is now with friends in New
York city
Mr. Todd. as published in The Times
several days ago. demanded that the
Commissioners make a most searching
Investigation, along the following line.
Did the Chief Of Police exceed his
powers in seizing my person and proper
~ without due process Of law2 Did ne
exercise common humanity in so doing?
Why was ! kept twenty-three hours in
a police cell, when the veriest crank
picked up on the street Is rarely held
more than two or three hours before be-
ing examined and committed or dis
charged? 1 demand the character and
professional ability OF Drs. Vale and
Maroury be inquired into. and especially
their competency to pass on a mans
sanity or insanity"
Both the Chief of Police ard The Sani-
tary Officer deny each and every charge.
and as 10 the competency Of Police Sur
geons Vale and Marbury, Major Sylves-
ter declines to report. on the ground
that they are the direct appointees OF
the Commissioners. Sanitary Officer
Frank IN his report says:
Imagined Himself Poisoned.
Charles Burr Todd called on the Su-
perintendent Of Police and submitted
statement about persons trying 70
poison him, and to ask for police protec-
fy4fa srffh he "a rty-
he was escorted TO this ofice. where a
protracted investigation was held HIS
conversation indicated an impaired
mind. He complained Of persons in New
York who for more than ten years have
endeavored to take his life by poisoning
him. and that they had employed agents
in this city to carry out their schemes.
IKE referred TO two well-known res
taurants on Pennsylvania Avenue,
where the walters had poisoned his tea.
and that II was necessary to take strong
antidotes to save his life. He also
stated his bed linen had been poisoned.
from time to time, by the chambermaids
of the several places where he had
rooms. Wis conversation tended to show
divisional insanity. and he was sent TO
me First precinct police station to
await an examination by police sur
geons, who were Immediately notified
Not Put in a Cell.
MIR. Todd was not 1ured into pa
troll wagon. as he states. but was told
where he was being sent, ana why he
world be detained. He was not con-
fined to a cell. but was placed IN a wit
ness room and made as comfortable as
the circumstances would permit Every
possible courtesy was shown the gentle
man His friends we're communicated
vita. both ia New York and Bethel.
I Conn. and letters IF appreciation have
been received from them thanking the
| superintendent of Police for his kind
| ness in the matter"
The Sanitary officer also states the
/ detention overnight in the station
house was not detrimental TO Mr.. Todd,
as he was in comfortable quarters.
Major Sylveste; corrobOrates the staIe-
ments 1T the Sanitary Ohcer and adds
that possession was taken of Mr.. Todd s
effects in conformance With section 4le
| Of the Revised Statutes relating to the
| District Of Columbia.
Commissioner West has recommended
| that Mr. Todd be informed OF the re-
suit OF the investigation