The Washington herald., 1909-08-01
WILL DEIAIN EARLY
IN CASE HE SUES
Would Have to Enter Dis
trict to Bring Action.
WILL TO BE INVESTIGATED
New York Surgeon VIII visit Pulp
Factory Where Alleged Leper Says
He Contracted Skin Disease-Ru-
mOred that Proposed suit VIII De
Based on His Report.

The rumor that John r. Early. ''the
Washington lepes," now under treat
ment IN the Skin and Cancer Hospital OF
New York city. is preparing 10 institute
suit against the District for false de-
tenuon in quarantine as a leper was
again current yesterday The source OF
the rurnor could not be traced. 3. 5.
Minor. who was Early's legal represen-
tative while he was in the city, is quoted
as saying that so far as he is advised
there is nothing TO the report and that
he does not know OF such a suit for
damages.
Or. William c. Woodward. health Off
Ger for the District said yesterday that
neither he. the Commissioners, nor the
corporation counsel have any advice 10
this effect DIR. Woodward said that he
had heard nothing from Early since he
reached New York.
Asked II he would stand pat on his
expressed purpose 90 take Early into
custody and confine him In the leper
quarantine camp in tho event that he
should retUSn into the jurisdiction 10
bring a suit against the District, or FOR
other purposes, DR.. Woodward said that
SO far as the health officers OF the Dis
trict were advised by scientific and pro-
fesslonal diagnosis. Early Is a leper, and
SIS such a menace to the public health,
and that II he entered the jurisdiction
OF the District he would be treated as
leper. unless strong authoritative evi-
dence was submitted which would satisfy
the health officers beyond doubt that
he is not leper.
Legal Complications.
No expression Of opinion could be OBJ
tanned from Dr. Woodward. who. IN ad-
aition 20 being a physician, Is a member
OF the District bar. as to how Early
could bring a suit. II was suggested that
as Early was a citizen OF North Caro-
lima that such an action would have to
be brought in a United States District
Court under North Carolina Jurisdiction.
Dr. Woodward said that such a case
might raise the question as 10 what con-
stituted a citizen. as applied 20 a resi-
dent Of the District, and again II might
be disputed that the District OF Columbia
is, In the meaning Of the law, a State.
The fact that the District OF Columbia is
a municipal corporation would. in the
opinion OF many require Early 20 per-
EOnally come to Washington 10 prosecute
his suit. In that event he would be
taken into custody and quarantlned, un-
less he could satisfy the health officers
that he IS not leper.
Early said the night be left Washing
ton that he was delighted 70 get away
from this city and the Jurisdiction Of
DIT. Woodward and his assistants, and
that he never expected to return here.
You may take Il from me-" said one
OF Early's old quarantine guards yester-
day, "that Early will never again put
his foot inside OF the District line. He
frequently said that II he ever got out
Of the hands OF DIT. Woodward that he
would never come back TO this city
under any conditions"
It is believed by many OF those con-
nected with the health and legal depart
ments Of the municipal government that
Early Is anxious TO bring a suit for dam
ages, possibly $4,000 or more, against the
District, but that ne has been unable to
secure counsel who would undertake the
case. because OF tho complications that
might confront them as intimated by Dr.
Woodward
Should Early unwlsely return 20 Wash
ingtOn after being discharged from the
New York hospital his arrest and confine-
ment In quarantine would force him TO go
into the courts through a petition Of writ
matter OK the right OF the health officer
10 conhne Early in quarantine would be
reviewed. When Early made his alleged
threats 70 sue the District prior 10 his
discharge. It was the hope OF Or. Wood
ward that he would go into court by
habeas corpus proceedings to secure his
liberty, and IN that way enable the health
department TO defend its action.
VIII study Skin Eruption.
It Is understood that Early IS a private
patient IN the New York hospital for the
treatment OF skin and cancer. and under
treatment by DR.. L. Duncan Bulkley, who
IS quoted as saying that Early IS not
suffering from leprosy, nor has he ever
had that disease II Is contended by
DR.. Bulklsy and the other physicians Of
the hospital that EarIys skin trouble
is a result OF working in a pulp mill IN
North Carolina. Or. G. Augustus Simp-
son will go 10 the pulp mill, where Early
worked and make careful study Of men
employed there. who are suffering with
the skin eruption that Early claims Is
similar to his skin trouble.
When DR.. Simpson completes his IN
vestigation and makes his report II
that investigation shows that there are
men working In the North Carolina pulp
Inlll VINO suHer from SKIN troubles SIM
liar 20 Eariy's, due to action OF the
acid waters used IN the mill. Il Is be-
lieved that the report viii form the basis
upon which the suit against the District
will be brought with Or. Simpson as ex-
pert witness for Eariys claims
While no one IN the health department
VIII say that Dr. Woodward has. or even
contemplates preparing a defense based
upon an investigation of the conditions
az the North Carolina pulp mill. II is the
general belief that whenever Early sees
1T to bring suit that ne Will find the
officials have not been idle. and will be
in a position to defend the District.
DR.. Simpson was a former practitioner
IN this city. lie is a graduate OF George
Washington University medical school,
one OF New York's largest medical
schools, and the Post Graduates Hos
pital. prior to joining the STAFF Of the
Skin and Cancer Hospital.
VIII Address Chnutnugua.
Prof. Kelly Miller. Mrs. J. c. Hutchius,
l.. VI. IIershaw, Or. J. r. Wilder. Prof.