Evening journal., 1913-12-29
OPERATION MAY
BOOM RADIUM
Bremner'S Recovery Expect
ed 70 Bring Conservation
of Oil Bearing Land
NATIONAL INSTITUTE
THE ULTIMATE GOAL

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29-Covern-
meut scientists qualified to speak as
experts regarding the American
7 radium situation" are eagerly await
. ing results of the radium operation
for cancer performed Christmas day
T on Congressman Robert Gum Brem-
ner, of New Jersey, by Dr. Howard A.
Kelly, OF Baltimore. The operation
consisted of imbeddng eleven tubes.
containing radium, in Mr.. Bremners
left shoulder. where the cancer, an
unusually large and malignant
growth, was removed.
Experts who are interested in the
plan for national control of radium
advocated by Doctor Kelly and Dr.
James Douglas, of New York, are
hopeful OF the outcome of the oper-
alton on the New Jersey Congressman.
They believe an announcement OF his
cure would have psychological effect
on Congress and would impel immedi-
ate steps 70 develop the radiummak-
ing mines under national control. con-
serve the supply, break the monopoly
and curtail the $4,000 annual death
toll from cancer
The treatment Of Congressman
cases coming under Doctor Kelly's
care. DR.. Charles l.. Parsons, radium
expert of the United States Bureau
OF Mines, who is now attending a
scientific gathering of mining men at
Atlanta, took with him to that city a
series of remarkable photographs
made by Doctor Kelly. They show
results Of some of the many cancer
operations performed by Doctor Kelly
in his Baltimore radium-clinic. under
the auspices of the National Radium
Institute during the last few months.
Second Operation.
A second treatment was given to
Mr.. BTemner on Saturday. Unlike
the first treatment. which involved in
cisiOns large enough to insert
platinum tubes - inches long, the
second operation required only ex-
ternal application of radium How
ever, the same IL tubes were used
again. There has been some specu-
lation as to the amount of the radium
used by Doctor Kelly in this oper-
alton.
It was known Friday night its value
was 100000, but estimates have been
gradually increasing. 1t was learned
Saturday that $50 millig-ammes were
used.
II was reported from the hospital
Saturday MIR. Bremner's condition was
much improved. Doctor Kelly did
not expect results until AS hours after
the first operation. That time period
expired at II o'clock on Saturday,
and it is expected today there may
be definite indications that the can
GER cells have been destroyed and that
the growth itself has begun to dis
integrate.
Founding of Institute.
Circumstances leading mp to the foun-
dation Of the Rational Radium Institute
became known Saturday. Dr. James
Douglas of New York. who with Doctor
Kelly was persuaded by federal officials
to form the National Radium Institute
and who is prominently identified with
Phelps. Dodge & Co.. was the pioneer
Seven years ago his daughter died from
cancer. Shortly before her death she was
treated with radium. which was then
difficult To obtain. der condition was so
extreme she could not be saved. but
there was such marked effect Doctor
Douglas decided TO devote his best eff
forts toward trying to increase the
quantity OF radium in the world with a
view TO its use in ameliorating the ills
Of cancer sufferers"
He established a private laboratory in
Jersey City. employed chemists and
n since that time he has been conducting
experiments on an extended scale in an
effort to discover better methods of eX-
I tracing radum from canotite and in
studying the Colorado and Utah carno-
tite ores.
DIR. Charles L. Parsons, of the United
! States Bureau OF Mines, interested DR.
Douglas and DR.. Kelly who also We're en-.
gagged in private research in an effort to
prevent depletion of the camotitc de-
posits of COLORADO and Utah for foreign
expectation. They became convinced il
was patriotic duty TO develop an in
dustrv that would retain the radum il
America DIS. Kelly and Douglas agreed
to contribute Sl5O.OOO to pay all the eX
penses of establishing the National Rad
ium Institute. They obtained control oi
the p carnotite mining claims in the
Paradox valley in Colorado, with tn,
right to mine those claims for three
years, in which time they probably would
take out all the radium bearing ore.
Supply From Colorado.
Or. r. B. Moore. a radium expert o
the Bureau of Mines. who received
his training under Ramsey. the scien
llSl, IN EnBidNus Will ne III tudlSt -
the new Denver radium plant The
erection of this plant has Just begur
and it will be devoted exclusively e
the manufacture Of radium.
Under the agreement with the Blu
roau o. Mines the institute is to shiI
all the extracted radium to the Mem
orial Hospital. in New York city, anS
to Doctor Kellys Hospital. in Balti
more, to be used clinically in th'
treatment of cancer cases. The Ma
tional Radium Institute philanthro
h pists are 10 give free applications o
the radium to all concer applicants
and none of the radium is to be sold
Legislation Required.
The next step will be legislation
with a view to Withdrawing from en-
try all public lands upon which ther,
may be radioactive ores. No sucl
lands arc now known, but under tn,
present law public lands could no
be withdrawn from entry even i
known to contain precious metals
The contemplated legislation, how
ever. is intended to protect the ma
ton in future in the event of discov
! cries on public lands.
\ Congressman Martin d. Foster. o
y Illinois. who is himself a physician
deeply interested in radium. is chair
man of the House Committee OF
Il Mines and Mining. which would con
sider such legislation He introduce,