New-York tribune., 1918-05-30
Health Officer of Port Op-
poses Summary Action
by Copeland
Praises Suspended
Directors Record
Nothing in Law to Prevent
Accused Official Getting
Open Hearing

Or. Leland E. Cofer, Health Officer
of the Port of New York. and mem
Der of the Board of Health of the City
of New York, has taken a firm stand
against the latest move Of the Hylan
administration to oust DR.. Lucius T.
Brown.
DR.. Cofer did not know that trial
was denied the suspended Director of
of the Bureau of Foods and Drugs of
the Health Department until DR.. Royal
S. Copeland, the Health Commissioner,
announced on Tuesday that DR.. Brown
would be summoned to appear Monday
to answer formal charges of neglect
of duty. inefficiency, and incompe-
tency." At the same time DR.. Cope
land announced that Or. Brown would
be denied a public trial at which he
could present his defence, with the
aid Of counsel. and summon witness
es. Instead, DR.. Copeland insisted
that DR.. Brown appear alone and make
al, "explanation," with none present
but the three members of the Board
of Health.
Demands Open Hearing
To this procedure DR.. Cofer made a
vigorous protest last night. DR.. Cofer
has a long ant enviable record in the
United States Bureau of Public Health
and was loaned to the state in order
that he might administer the duties of
Health Officer. of the Port Of New
York He was appointed by Governor
Whitman.
"This case" said Dr.. Cofer, "is one
of the sort that makes it very impor
tant that DR.. Brown be given an open
trial. have received letters from ply
scians and other citizens protesting
against any summary proceedings.
MY thought is more as citizen
than as a public official when l say
that he ought to be given an open
trial. at which he would have the op
rcrtunty to call witnesses and be rep
resented by counsel. The Board of
Health of the City of New York is
looked up to and nothing should be
done to lower it's high standard"
Did Not Know of Charges
Dr. Cofer said that he was not at
any of the Board Of Health meetings
at which the formal charges against
DR.. Brown we're discussed and did not
know any charges were being formu-
lated. Therefore the only persons
present were either Richard E. En-
right, Police Commissioner and recent
ly lieutenant of police, or DR.. Cope
land, or both.
"Dr. Brown" added Dr. Cofer
SHOULD have trial, open and thor
ough. and non-partisan decision
should be given. I do not want the i'm
preston to 60 abroad that I regard
DR.. Cofer said that he had heard
stories about DR.. Brown and that they
came from various and many sources
but that they were all to the credit
of the suspended director.
Lawyers yesterday pointed out that
there was nothing in the law to prevent
the Hylan administration from dealing
fairly by Dr. Brown and granting him
public trial. The strict letter of the
law merely provides that an ousted off
clal may be given the opportunity ia
give an "explanation," but none who
discussed the case yesterday could re
call when a civil service employe
against whom charges were lodged did
not have the opportunity to be repre-
sented by counsel.
Copeland Promises Fair Trial
Health Commissioner Copeland ex.
pressed the conviction that DR.. Brown
would have a fair hearing.
he will not be represented by coun.
sell" added Commissioner Copeland
put, then, neither will the Board Of
hoaith. l am not lawyer and | DOM
,nnk the two other members are
There will be none present but mem
hers of the Board Of Health and DR.
brown, 1t will be purely depart
mental affair. DR.. Brown will be rive1
every opportunity to prepare his case
and If he is not ready on Monday h,
car get an extension of time. He ma,
make as extended an explanation a. h,
wishes" 90 ~
But it is predicted that the protes
OF Health Officer Cofer will result i,
pf' brown being given public trial.
British HALF Az P,;I.