Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-07

! My skin disease originated Wnlle
I was working in a pulp mill In
North Carolina"
The District Of Columbia, 1t is asserted.
will be sued for heavy damages by John
L. Early.
The declaration of intention to begin
legal proceedings against the District gov
eminent was made by Early himself with
much earnestness to prominent WASH
intonian who talked with him yesterday
at Brighton Beach, n. Y, where he is So
journing.
He complained bitterly Of his long con-
finement and isolation in 1.-The infectious
swampland in rear of potter's field and
the smallpox hospital and of the wide
spread notoriety given him and his family
by the action of the District authorities
in stamping him as leper, thus causing
people to avoid him, and the newspapers
to print articles about him which may
seriously injure his future prospects in
life"
1t was added that Early has already
consulted with firm Of prominent law
yers in New York, with the view of be-
ginning the proceedings at an early date
The amount of damages will be named
be large enough to cover the damage
already done him and any that may re-
suit in the future from the undue noto-
riety" he has gained and his suffering
and inconvenience while living in the
lowlandS in the extreme eastern end OF
the District under guard.
Another Phase Of Case.
In the meantime an interesting phase
of the Early case has developed at the
pension bureau, which may have more or
less bearing on the proposed suit. Early
is pensioned at the rate Of $72 a month
for leprosy. In the first instance he re-
ceived pension of s12 a month, begin
ming July 81, 1907.
upon examination. after Early was in
confinement as leper. the voucher be-
ing dated August 81, 1908. Leprosy
was accepted as Early's disability, and
it was concluded that he had contract
ed the disease in the military service.
When an article appeared in The
Evening Star to the effect that Early
had about recovered and was free from
confinement. and that he had been dis
charged from the Skin and Cancer Hos
stitution only occasionally for treat
ment. James L. Davenport. deputy COM
missioner Of pensions, decided to order
an investigation into the matter to de-
termine whether the soldier was en-
titled to be continued on the pension
rolls.
Accordingly Special Examiner Albert w.
Roome was dispatched to New York to
investigate the Early case, and as a re-
suit Of his findings Deputy Commissioners
Davenport has decided to lop off the PEN
sion of So a month that the former SOL
der now receives. In order to conform
with the law it will be necessary to give
the pensioner thirty days notice of the
intention Of the department. This, 1t is
stated. will be done at once.
Traced to Brighton Beach.
When Mr.. Roome reached New York
he at once proceeded to the hospital
and asked If Early was patient there.
The physician in charge replied that he
was. Later he learned that Early was
not housed as patient in the hospital.
but went there occasionally to receive
treatment Then by an arrangement
with a New York postal inspector, Mr..
Roome traced Early to his stopping
place on Brighton Beach. The physi-
clan at the hospital afterward explained
that he had stated Early was a patient
there to protect him from further no.
toriety.
At the boarding house on Brighton
Beach the pension examiner met Early
and had a talk with him. The man who
had been declared to be a leper said he
was cured of a skin disease from which
he had been afflicted. but he visited the
skin and cancer hospital once every two
tirely we'll The hospital authorities. he
said. had discharged him as cured.
Examiner Roome obtained from Early
statement In which he said:
asked for a pension for leprosy, and at
m time have admitted that I had
leprosy."
Early also gave the examiner pho
toeraph of himself. which indicates that
he Is in good physical condition. and the
picture is now on file at the pension bu-
reau with the other papers In the case.
Makes Sworn Statement.
Early also gave Mr.. Roome a sworn
statement that the skin trouble from
which he suffered originated while he
was working in pulp mill at Canton.
N. c., being caused by the chemicals
and liquors employed in the process. the
liquids being strong and poisonous.
"At the present time I believe myself
cured of the skin trouble" the affidavit
continues, land I do not suffer from any
disability whatever"
The foregoing affidavit is the basis of
the stoppage OF Early's pension, Deputy
Commissioner Davenport explained. How
ever, Early will be examined by PEN
sion medical board, and IL it is found he
is suffering from any disabilities as a re-
suit of his long service in the regular
army he may be given a smaller pen
sion.
1.-THE department will insist that Early
had leprosy," Gen. Davenport continued,
because he was pensioned for leprosy.
But he was given strong treatment and
the disorder may have been eradicated
from his system
This decision is regarded as Of I'M
portance, as medical men of note have
commended that leprosy is an incurable
disease. 1t may also give rise to a vari-
ETY. of contentious.
An Incorrect Statement.
The published statement that Early is
employed in a store is declared to be in
He is said to be enjoying a
vacation by the sea after his experience
in the detention camp down near the
Eastern branch swamps and is not en-