Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-03
Case of John Early Arouses
Members of Congress to
Need of Action.
DISTRICT HEADS WRESTLE
WITH PROBLEM PRESENTED
Inclined to Favor Deportation, But
Public Health Service Cues
lions Program.

The return to Washington of Leper
John r. Early yesterday was followed
today by the Introduction of two bills for
the establishment of Il leprosarium by
the nited States.
A national leprosarium. where the lepers
of the country can be isolated and treated
under the care of government specialists.
is outlined in bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Britten of Illinois. Mr.. Britten
said today he had been much impressed
by the story of John Early, and he be-
lieved that the government should take
Immediate action to provide Tor those
afflicted with the disease.
The bill authorizes the appointment OF d
board composed of the surgeon generals
of the army, navy and pubhc heaith sef'-
ice 70 select a site for the leprosarium,
and that when erected, the lnsututroa'
shall be under the control of the pup1t
health service.
WASHINGTON Doesn't Want Him.
Representative Johnson of Washing
ton. discussing the Early case today,
said that he would oppose the returning
of John Early to Washington state, and
that the United States should take some
action in the matter, lnaSmuch as EaIly
is understood to have contracted tIe
disease in the service OF the ohiteo
States Army. ,.,,
Representative Johnson of Washington
introduced a bill authorizing the eStao-
lishment of d leprosarium in Alaska or
in any of the territorial poSsessiohs u
the United States, and authofiZlns an
initial expenditure of s1O0,OoV. repre-
sentative Johnson'S bill places the es-
Ia blishment under the jurisdiction OF
the surgeon general of the United States
public health service. ...
With DR. w. G.. Woodward, District
health officer. urging the deportation
from the District of John Early, VINO
is still confined in the little brick
cottage on the Eastern branch "hlch
he occupied for many months rev
years ago and officials of the publc
health service in favor of holding
Early here as an object lesson point
ing to the necessity for a nationai
for the lepers OF the coun-
trict of Columbia wrestled the greater
part of the day with the problem pre-
scented by Early's return to this city.
Inclined to Favor Deportation.
The Commissioners this morning
stated that they were inclined to sup
port DIR. Woodward's contention for
the deportation of Early and his return
to the leper colony near Port Town
send, Wash, from which he walked
away a few weeks ago. Early him
self today stated that he purposes to
stand pat and wait for the Commits
sioners to show their hands.
Officials of the public health service
say that Early in person is the strong
est possible argument in favor of the
establishment by the government of a
national leprosarium. further declaring
that no matter where Early might be
sent. he would undoubtedly be returned
to the District. They say that it is
doubtful if Early could be
transported back across the continent
to Port Townsend. and declare that it
would be futile for the District to en-
deavor to unload him on any state
nearer to the National Capital.
Mrs. Clark Is Interested.
Mrs. Champ Clark. wife of the Speaker,
is much interested in the case of Early
and has arranged for an interview with
Representative Britten to devise ways
in which she can be of assistance in aid
nd in RI hi