New-York tribune., 1918-05-01
MacBYide Abandons
Health Inquiry Along
Administrative Lines


last night that the investigation into
Health Department affairs which had
been occupying the commissioner for
several weeks had been discontinued
insofar as it affected administrative
lines" Mr.. MacBride, in letter to DR..
Royal S. Copeland, the new Health
Commissioner, stated the latter's ap-
pointment removed the necessity for
further inquiry, Except along Civil
Service lines"
Howard B. Elliott, auditor of the
son. director of the Bureau of Hos
pitals, and j. ]. Crane, acting supern-
tcndent of the Municipal Sanatorium at
Otisville, N. Y, were witnesses at the
commissioners hearing yesterday. Mr..
Elliott was questioned concerning let
ter sent by former Health Commits
soner Emerson to former Mayor
Mitchell concerning tho duties of the
assistant auditor of the department.
Mr.. MacBrde asked concerning the
"favoritism" shown in the appointment
Of John j. White as assistant auditor.
Tells Of Employing DOCTORS
Dr. Wilson was required to explain
how certain physicians were employed
in the various city hospitals, in view of
the fact that they were not licensed
to practice in this state. He explained
that the shortage of doctors made their
services necessary. that they were ex-
perts in their particular fields and that
technical difficulties only stood in the
way of their obtaining licenses.
Mr.. Crane was questioned concerning
the manner in which he happened to be
or the city payroll as an architectural
draughtsman at the municipal sana-
torium He said he had been appointed
in that capacity in 1912, that in 1914
the acting superintendent retired and
that since then he had been in COM
plete charge of the institution, per-
forming the duties both of architect
ural draughtsman and acting superin-
tendent, for which he received $3.50
a year.
In his letter to Commissioner Cope
land. Mr.. MacBrde said that "there
has been so much misrepresentation of
the investigation Of the Health Depart
ment that you cannot possibly known
what we have been doing"
People Not Deceived
~ am confident" he continued, "that
this misrepresentation has not deceived
the people. 1t is the same kind of
Misrepresentation carried on by the
same agencies which were at work in
the campaign last Fall to perpetuate
a government which for four years had
been in the interests of the Rookie
fcllcrs and their satellites who were
exploiting the people"
Mr.. MacBride then proceeds to make
charges against family whose fortune
is invested in the Borden Milk Com
pany," against Lucius Polk Brown,
director of the Bureau of Food and
Drugs of the Health Department.; Will
lam J. Schieffelin, head of the Citizens
Union, and Leonard M. Wallstein, for
mer Commissioner of Accounts.
mayor Hylan knew of these condi-
tions in a general way" the letter con-
tinues. "He knew these exploiters
would make determined stand to hold
their grip on the Health Department.
"The fact that man of your stand
ing in your profession has accepted
the position of Commissioner of Health
the White Horse cavalry is proof to me
that you know-despite the volumes of
misrepresentation that have been
poured forth-that the Mayor never
had a thought or made suggestion
which would in any way restrict honest
effort to improve health conditions,
living conditions and working condi-
tions in this city.
Desires to Extend Work
at was his desire to extend the work
being done for the babies and children
of this city by the Bureau Of Child Hy-
giene instead of TO restrict it, as the
false propaganda has sought to per-
suade the people.
at was his desire to do everything
and more--that is now being done
by the Bureau of Preventable Diseases
for the prevention of tuberculosis and
other diseases and to better the condi-
tion under which men and women work.
"But it is his firm determination
that that work must be done without
waste and extravaganza. The testimony
of heads of bureaus that there is over
tapping in this work and that vast
sums can be saved by proper admins
tration is a complete justification of
his position"
~ have read your letter of even date
with great interest" wrote Commits
sioner Copeland in reply "You are
to be congratulated upon it's forceful
statement of the position of his honor
the Mayor and of the results of your
investigation No fair-minded citizen,
knowing that the facts summarized by
you were obtained under oath, can
longer believe that any raid upon the
Health Department was contemplated
by anybody in authority"