Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-10
John R. Early Urges Govern
ment Reservation With Ben
efits of Civilization.
ADMITS HE is VICTIM
OF THE DREAD DISEASE
Reveals His Views to High Federal
Officials, Who Call at
His Camp.

Thoroughly convinced that he Is
leper. John R. Early has conecrated him
self to the services of the three hundred
States He will try to force the govern
ment to provide a reservation where thes,
lepers may be colonized, under such re-
protection of the rest Of society, ant
where they may enjoy the benefits ant
advantages of civilization.
He is willing to be segregated from his
kind not similarly afflicted. but is op-
posed to being banished and isolated
Keeping in mind his purpose to cause
the United States to establish a lepro-
sorium. he will take advantage of any
technicality to maintain his individual
open to reason. and willing to stay
where he is. or to go to any place the
government may provide that will moi
defeat his desire for the fellowship OF
men, or his ultimate hope for the segre-
cation OF all lepers in one colony.
Gives Views to Visitors.
This epitomizes the impression given
by the leper to distinguished visitors
noon at his leper camp on the river
old workhouse. Byron r. Newton. as
Rupert Blue, surgeon general, and DR..
W. c. Rucker, assistant surgeon general
of the public health service, and Repre-
sentative Oldfield of Arkansas comprised
the party.
Assistant Secretary Newton, an old
newspaperman. has had previous ac-
ouaintances with lepers. AS reporter
In New York city. one of his d.
gated on Blackwells Island.
TT ought not to be so gigantic a
job to get the government to estab-
lish 1eprosorium." Early commented
on his project to his visitors. He
would have the leprosorium established
the benefit of afflicted Americans.
where they can be on their own home
soil. A dry climate is necessary to
best conditions. he insists
to favor the establishment of a lepro-
sorium, as advocated by Early Govern
ment sanction of such a project. by leg
islation. he suggests, is an admission that
leprosy exists in the United States, which
many may not wish to make There may
be objections to the plan, to be developed
by investigation, which are not now dis
cernable
Three Bills in Congress.
Three bills are pending In Congress
The bill introduced by Representative
johnson Of Washington provides for
the care of lepers from continental
United States at the Hawaiian leper
colony. but Hawaii does not want addi-
tons to Its leper colony from else
where, and Early is unwilling to go
there. bill of Representative Brit
ton provides for further examination
NJ VINy IA
but that he is leprous Is conceded by
Early and all authorities and further
diagnosis Is regarded as redundant.
A third bill provides for a national
leprosarium.
Early met his visitors In the garden
near the small brick building in which
he is domiciled. He was neatly clad in
Khaki. wore Panama hat and made a
good appearance. Assistant Secretary
Newton was struck with his intelli-
gence and found him an authority on
his own particular disease, leprosy.
Only the disfgurements of leprosy de-
tracted from the impression of a sub
stantial. desirable citizen. His visitors
went close to him. although he did not
o1er mis- hand and they did not come in
personal contact with him. They were with
His service in the Philippines Early
holds responsible for his condition. He
has a fairly clear idea how he was In
rected, and believes that many soldiers
were similarly affected. He points out
that many such cases already have been
determined. and the difficulty in deetrmin-
ing others when sometimes seven years
pass with no visible signs of disease
He estimates the number Of lepers in
continental United States as something
more than 800.
Wants to Maintain Rights.
Discussing what was best to do witt
him, Early said he was willing to remain
where he Is or to go to any place he re-
CARDS suitable for his segregation He
made 1t clear. however. that he woulc
seize upon every technicahty to maintain
his personal rights. and to advance the
cause Of a leprosorium. He consented
that photographs be taken of him by the
public health service.
Several members Of Congress will Sc.