Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-19
is GIVEN A HEARING
APPLICANT FOR PERMIT TO ES-
TABLISH HEALTHARIUM,

Tor license to esta blish a private hospi.
tai at 10Th and 1 streets northwest on the
site of the old Chamberlin Hotel, to be
known as the "Healtharium," was the sub
ject Of a public hearing before the board
of Commissioners at the District building
this morning. When this application was
made DR.. William c. Woodward, District
health officer, reported unfavorably upon
the proposed institution. He stated that
the existence of the proposed institution,
in my judgment, will be a reflection and a
danger to the community. Mrs. Arnold is
not authorized to practice medicine" 1t
was on account of this report that the
Commissioners gave the hearing.
More than fifty men and women were in
the board room when Commissioner Mac
farland called the hearing to order
j. j. Hamilton, an attorney for Mrs. Ar
mold and the proposed institution, was the
first speaker. He said the reflection made
by the health officer upon Mrs. Arnold and
the statement that she is not authorized to
practice has little to do with the granting
DIR. Arnold Mr.. Hamilton said docs
not propose to practice medicine. She is a
chfropractor, and is to be director of the
healtharfum.
"A chiropractor is not a surgeon or a
physician. Would you make plain just
what chiropractor is?" asked Commits
sloner Mcfarland.
The Explanation.
"Chi-opraetic,' said Mr.. Hamilton, lis
one of the arts of healing. 1t Is a scien-
tine system of treatment of the backbone,
the seat and center of most ailments.
Drugs or medicine are not used Most nerv-
Gus diseases are seated in or about the
backbone Mrs: Arnold is graduated and
skilled chiropractor and her practice of it
IN this case in my opinion is no violation Of
the law.
I'VE are asking he continued, "for
license to do something which will at all
times be subject to official inspection and
subject to official inspection and subject
to your control You have the authority
to revoke our license in the event of our
violating your laws.
I'VE admit Mrs. Arnold is not author
lied to practice medicine, and she does not
propose to practice medicine. Reputable
citizens are back of this proposed institu-
ton
Commissioner West said: "In view of
your evidence and the assurance that Mrs.
Arnold has done reputable and good work
as chiropractor, and has practiced here
for four years, why is there any objection
made to her permit? Why isn't the license
practice honorably, why has she been per-
mitted to practice at all? l would like that
explained
Commissioner Macfarland stated that DR..
The Other View.
The proposed Healtharium, its treat
ment and purposes, and Mrs. Arnold in
dividually, were severely scored by c. A.
White, attorney for the persons protest
ing against the establishment being To-
Gated at the proposed site. He read a pc
tition signed by a score Of property own
ers and residents in the immediate neigh
borhood protesting against the granting
of license to the hospital to operate at
18th and L streets. Among those who
signed this petition were ex-senator w. E.
Chandler, John r. Mclean, Frank P.
Leech, Ellinor H. Evans, Dr. ]. B. Gregg
Custs A. L. Bliss, the Normandie Hotel
proprietor. DR.. James D. Morgan, and the
owners Of old st. Matthew's Church, 18th
and H streets.
aside from the nature Of this proposed
hospital said Mr.. White these pro-
testants have financial interests at stake,
and there Is no doubt the location of this
hospital in their neighborhood will have
strong tendency to depreciate property.
The coming and going of patients and
their Summing in front of the building
at all hours Of the day will be distaste-
full. You gentlemen have always
nounced your desire to protect property
owners from anything which would tend
to lessen values of real estate, he said. He
then referred to Mrs. Arnold and her pro-
fessiOn, saying that she is not authorized
to practice medicine and yet she proposes
to direct this hospital.
Il think, -" he said, she has considerable
presumption to come before you gentlemen
and ask for a license under these condi-
tons, and trust you will uphold the laws
of the District and protect property owners
by refusing the license
DR.. Morgan, who signed the petition,
spoke against licensing this proposed pri-
vate hospital, arguing that it's establish
ment would depreciate property values In
that neighborhood.
Prosecutions May Follow.
1t developed at the hearing that the health
officer of the District and the superinten-
dent of police may be called upon to prose-
cute all osteopaths practicing in the Dis
trict. According to Health Officer Wood
ward, who reported adversely upon Mrs.
Arnolds application, the points of law
raised in the past regarding the. legality of
this practice have never been settled and
that in his mind the superintendent of po-
lice is at liberty to make arrests. Dr.
woodward stated that Mrs. Arnold is in no
way competent to be in control of a hospi-
tai. ASIDE from her not being an author
lied practitioner, she is incapable to dag
nose disease or prescribe" he said
Mr.. Powderly, who is to be secretary of
this hospital, stated that he and Mrs. Ar
mold have signed lease on the building for
term of three years at an annual rental of
N,ooO, and had made and would make inn
provements of their own costing total of
$1,000. He declared that he had become
interested In the movement because DR..
Arnold had cured him of an aff1iction of the
spine, which the regular physician had
failed to cure after eighteen years treat
ment
Commissioner Mcfarland, who presided.
concluded the hearing by announcing that
the Commissioners will take all the evil
dence under advisement before disposing
of it.