The Washington times., 1914-01-25
DYING WORKER GETS
NO HELP FROM j. S.
Unable to Aid George NeWbrand,
Civil Service EmpIOye, Say
Federal Heads.
By EDITH LoBERT.

ie for ones country.
Here are a few facts about a martyr
Of civil life.
George Newbrand has been a patient
1T the tuberculosis Hospital, Four
leenth and Upshur streets, for one
week. after a fight from coast to coast
with the white plague.
Newbrand is a former civil service
Smploye, having worked for nearly sew
sn years in the medical department of
he Public Health Service at Ellis ISL
nd. New York. where a million in1mi-
Erants are examined yearly.
Prior to that Newbrand served over
two years in the United States Hospi-
tai Corps. having enlisted January b
1900. and was discharged May 3, 1903.
DESPITE the fact that there are hos
pitfalls and INSTITUTIONS provided for dis
abled sailors and soldiers, Newbrand
said by his physicians to be in the last
stages of consumption contracted in the
course of his duties at Ellis Island, has
80 far been unable to secure any help
from Uncle Sam.
Government OFFICIALS admit that they
GO not know what they can do for him
and so they are doing nothing.
Contracted Illness on Duty.
1uGIC Is IOI j OOuDl lile NOTlO Out
that my present condition is the result
Of my duties at Ellis Island Newbrsnd
said, as he sat in e wheel chair at the
tuberculosis Hospital. which, it will be
Temembered. is a public charitable in
stitution supported by the District for
its indigents.
Newbrand is not a citizen of the Dis
trict of Columbia. Neither can he now
NaaW1 -
Doyhood home was in Ohio. which he
left before he entered the military serv-
Ice in the Philippines.
While I was officially a clerk and
stenographer my work brought me fire.
quently in touch with immigrants
afflicted with tubercular troubles. These
persons, often as many as a dozen a
day, were certified to daily.
About a year ago l began to feel
badly but was not aware of the fact
that my condition might prove serious.
Kept On Working.
so kept on working. About the first
of July, however, my in-health got the
better of me and applied for my annu-
al leave of thirty days. also my sick
leave of thirty days, both of which were
of course readily granted.
Then I began to realize that my
lungs were getting worse all the time
instead of better. l made application
TO be transferred to Fort Stanton, New
Mexico, where the tuberculosis sanatori-
UNI for sailors is maintained by the
Government.
while the officers TO whom applied
were very kind and courteous. 1 was
given no encouragement, and was told
repeatedly that there were no vacancies
n4gr
Of persons who wished to be transferred
TO Fort Stanton. In each instance 1 i'm
pressed upon the officers that / was
growing worse daily.
Il have been informed that it re-
Quires a political pull 10 gain admis
! had no political influence So do not
know whether that applied to my case
Or not. The only explanation l ever got
was that there were no vacancies.
In the meantime i had left New
York. l asked my superior officers
there TO extend my leave there until
January l, and they did.
Sick and Penniless.
With the assurance of a job and the
hope that l might be able to go to
ork when did return, 1 left. L made
my way to Winnipeg, Canada, and then
l went to the Southwest. 1 was in
san Francisco. San Antonio, Tex, and
various other places in that section. But
l didn't get any better.
Finally, in desperation, came East
in the hope that the Government would
do something for me, but I seem TO
be unable to accomplish anything. Il
lad to resign my position in New
Nork because am in no condition phys
Ically to go to work
Nobody seems to know what to do
about my case. I row have an appli-
cation in for admission to Fort Bayard,
y M hoping that the serzlgth Of
my army record will get me in there.
When l landed here a week ago 1 was
q pretty sick man. l was so weak
could hardly stand up. ! could not Sc
cure a room anywhere, because Of my
condition. Hotel clerks refused me ad-
mittance, and even the restaurants
would not sell me anything 10 eat l
Lad no medical attention, not even food. (
My baggage is now At the Union Sta
ton, and where il is TO 90 from there
l am sure l don't know.
Il applied then TO the District build |
inng for aid, and they sent me out here
temporarily.
I am receiving the best Of care and
attention, but l really have no right
here because l am not citizen Of the
District"
Ncworand is unmarried and has no
near relatives.
An appeal made BY some persons in
terested in Newbrand's case was made
10 Congressman Calder, New York, in
his behalf Mr.. Calder Immediately got
into communication with Surgeon Cen
eraI Blue, OK the Bureau Of Public
Health Service.
Can Do Nothing.
Here is the reply Of General Blue,
which shows the apparent helPlesSness
Of the officials in Newbrand's case:
I am in receipt of your letter Of
January 16, relative TO George New
brand, who desires appointment as an
attendant at the tuberculosis sanator-
ium Of the Public Health Service, at
Fort Stanton, y. N.
There are a few positions as at
tendant at the sanitoriuT, with com
Eensation of quarters, subsistence ana
.sundry, to which persons in the early
stages of tuberculosis are appointed
II able to perform light duty.
Because of the large number OF ap-
pllcatiOns that aaYe been received iur
these positions however, II has been
necessary to establish Il waiting list.
Vacancies do not occur frequently ana
! regret to say that there is little nkli-
hood OF an opportunity to give favor
able consideration to NJ. NewIrancs
application in the near future. snail,
However, keep your letter before me Tor
action at such tine as there may De
q possibility of his 2 appointment