Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-08-19


Mr.. w. W S mpsJn WAS again cited
by Officer ROBBERS 10 appear in thu
Police Court this moroiug to show eaust
why he should not be dealt with accord
Jog to law for refusing to obey orders o.
Dr. Il A. German, health officer.
Early last night DR.. GnrWan and
Chief Goods visited the BrsddOck House,
now in charge of Mr.. Simpson, and
ordered The proprietor to close the place
for the reason that female inmate was
suffering from smallpox. According
to the mandate Mr.. Simpson was re-
stain ed FROM opening stores conducted
by him 10 the Fairfax street front.
Mr.. SmpsOD, il will be remembered,
was before the Police Court few days
SGD where he bad been cited 10 appear
and show cause why he should not be
fined for refusing to obey the health
regulations of this city. This action
had been laken at the instance of the
health officer. Mr.. Simpson was disnis-
ssd by Justice Oston, who decided that
there WAS no law in Alexandria to COM
pei person to submit to vaccination.
Ga Tuesday night there was a meeting
of the Board of Health to consider the
mater. That board acting under the
advice Of Corporation Attorney s. z.
Fi,her was Instrumental 10 the action oil
the health officer last night.
The case was called shortly after 3
O'Clock. Mr. Simpson was represented
BIZ Mr.. Robinson Moncure and Mr.. 5.
p. Fisher, corporation attorney, ap-
pesred for the prosecution.
The resolution passed by the Board OF
Health providing for quaraDtining the
Braddock House was exhibited by DR..
G. rmsD. The board had acted under
clause Is of section 1913, Acts 1901 2.
Mr.. Moncure stated that Mr.. Simpson
had kept himself far from the room 10
the house 10 which the disease existed,
and that he had no desire to violate any
regulation the Board of Health might
make. He VAS not al infected person,
and was oppose to vaccination.
Mr. Fisher said the action OF the
beard was Dot directed against Mr..
Simpson nor any individual, out against
a district which had been declared to be
infected with contagious disease.
Justice Cation asked DIR. GOrma1 how
many days usually elapsed from the
time a person came in contact With
smallpox before the disease manifested
itself. The doctor replied that fifteen
days was the average time, although
cases we're known where 1t had developed
ia FIVE and half days. Fifteen days
was the lawful period for quarantiniug.
Justice Cation 10 summing up the case
said the question whether or not Mr.
Simpson was infected was not before the
court. The Board of Health had power
to make regulations 10 regard to conta-
gious diseases, and Mr.. Simpson was
willing to abide by the same. In fair
ness to him, however, his house should
not be placed under quarantine for fit'
teen days from today, but the period
should date from the 18th instant, the
time the case of smallpox was reported
to the health officer. No fne would be
imposed 10 the case. The justice said
the delay In the matter OF quarsntlnlng
WAS due to negligence on the part of the
Board of Health, who seemed not TO un-
derstsnd its power. The board bad
heretofore proceeded under the wrong
section of the code.
The portion Of the BrsddOck House
infected by the disease will now be quar-
antined, as will all donates of the build
ing who refuse to be vaccinsted. This
will, of course, close Mr.. Simpsons
stores.
Mr. Simpson this morning received
postsl card from Eugene Bsttis, 1924
X street northeast, Washington. The
writer says: al congratulate you upon
the stand you have taken. Vaccination
is a filthy fraud. 1t is melOn-cutting
scheme"