The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
DR.. EAVES WRITES
ON HENDERSON CASE
Thinks 1t Unfair to Attack
Associated Charities
WORK DONE FOR HIM
Mr.. Silver, Writer of Original Arti-
Gle, Asks Some Questions in
Reference to DIR. Eaves'
Letter
WORK DONE FOR HIM


off his hand than do injustice with 1t, yet
am equally sure that he has allowed
his natural indignation, stirred by the
suffering of a tuberculous negro. to lead
him into very unjust pickering against the
Associated Charities of this city.
What are the facts?
In brief, Mr.. Silver has been imposed on,
and has wrought incalculable damage to
the poor. who depend on the Associated
Charities
l. Henderson, % years old, came from
Florida a few months ago, and got work
at Jasper as a coal miner. He there de-
veloped tuberculosis and came, August 8,
to us through the University Clinic. He
certainly had the seeds of the disease
when he left Florida, as his mother died
of tuberculosis three years ago, and his
first hemorrhase occurred in the early
spring of this year. We have the record
of his examination. and the family ad-
dress in Jacksonville, number and street.
We wrote to the father at the address
and a reply was received by the boy. The
father runs or did run, hotel and sa-
loon for negroes at the address given.
.. My information is that Henderson re-
ported to our nurse and to Miss Payne,
acting secretary of the Associated Char
tiles. that his father had forwarded a
ticket to him. and that he was ready
to go, and only needed some lunch for
the journey. He was therefore referred
to the Associated Charities Miss Payne
shows me the Associated Charities rec
ord of giving the young man lunch and
drayage on his trunk for the journey.
This was August y. lie had not asked
the Associated Charities for transporta-
ton, but only for this lunch for his jour-
ney.
g. He did not come to us again, and
we most naturally supposed that he had
gone to his people. but on Saturday our
nurse learned that he was still in the
city, again charge on the Associated
Charities, who did not know what to do
with him.
Now what had happened?
According to Henderson's statements, he
had spent this interval of nearly month
with friends.
Let me say here that we did not treat
the case at the dispensary either once or
twice. We never treat cases there but
only examine and advise. In the case of
negroes this is severe limitation. Mr..
Silver was greatly misinformed. Again,
If Mr. Ryall gave the boy IS. 1t is strange
that there is no record of it. Plainly the
SIS was the proceeds of the sale of the
ticket which was in fact, sent from Jack
sonville, and Mr.. Ryall's records are, of
course. correct
No Sanat0rium for Such Cases
This then is the problem: A tubercuous
negro of Florida, and later of Walker
county. becomes chargeabe to this coun-
ty and city. There is no sanatorium for
such cases and even if there had been
one, it is exceedingly doubtful If he would
have stayed He would not have stayed
at the almshouse, supposing some one
had the right to send such a case there.
He gets transportation, then apparently
sells it, and afthr some weeks falls back
on the Associated Charities. He gets
worse, is found by somebody, and your
earnest young reformer forthwith attacks
the Associated Charities because that Of
flee has not effectively relieved him by
providing a second ticket. But your re-
former did not ask information from the
wholly trustworthy acting head of the As
socated Charities! Why not?
1t will almost always occur that when
we have jumped on some one and scored
him deeply, new light arrives to prove
that we were terribly cruel. The use Of
great and noble newspaper, like The
Age Herald, is for the upbuilding of the
community on a solid basis. But emo
tional justice is never just, and is there
fore no basis at all. Evidence now comes
from the Rev. Mr.. Clarke that several
months ago he gave Henderson trans
portation to Jacksonville and money also.
What did he do with it?
Certainly we ought to have a negro
tuberculosis detention camp, and even
detention camp for white tuberculosis
tramps. with authority to keep men there
until properly disposed Of The upkeep
of such an institution would be expen-
sive, and / can't see the way to do this
work until both cash and legislation ar
rive. Mr.. Silver has. however, made vivid
a want which 1 am made to feel every
week, want which l have done my
best to bring home to every one.
Even the negroes fear tuberculosis in
lection. II they will help us, we can get
something done, which will at least be
the beginning. | challenge the aid of
the negro business mems league for
real, constructive work.
Too Many Attacks Made
Once for all, may we not all cry sur
felt on this carpng at the Associated
Charities? Every irresponsible and mex
perienced citizen may claim the right to
offer it, just as bachelors and old maids
know all about bringing up children and