New-York tribune., 1918-05-03
Dr.. l.. K. Broun
Suspended by
DR.. Copeland
Continued from page !

mated that he would look after the af-
fairs of the Bureau of Public Health
Education himself and that he would
emphasize the Importance of combat
ing the social evil and the excessive
use of alcohol.
Never Saw DR.. Brown
~ do not know Lucius P. Brown" he
began. 81 never saw Lucius p. Brown.
went to his office on Monday and he
was out. AS you gentlemen know, |
was here all day yesterday, but he
did not call to see me. Last night at
1880 o'clock I received, at my home
a letter sent by messenger from the
Hotel Astor- This was from Mr..
Brown. With it was q statement from
Mr.. Brown that was printed in this
mornings papers. This is the letter:
"New York. May 1, 1918.
Dear DR.. Copeland:
Referring to the attached letter
written this afternoon, | have con-
cluded since writing it to try and
reach you personally tonight. Up,
however, to 10:30 l have been un-
able to DO so. and, as desire you to
have this communication tonight. |
am send 1t by messenger.
Yours very truly,
"LUCIUS P. BROWN"
DIR. Brown Suspended
II read the letter, went to bed and
when l got up at 6.30 this morning
wrote on an envelope in my room q
letter suspending him pending a hear
ing on charges. Here Is the letter:
Lucius P. Brown, Esq, Director, Bu-
reau or rood and Drugs, Depart
ment of Health.
DoQr Sir. In cYi%o
able reference to your administra
ton contained in Commissioner Mac
Brides letter, l had determined to
await the arrival Of the sworn tes-
timony before taking action in the
matter.
You have chosen to make public
announcement concerning your posi-
ton. There is such marked con-
trast between your statement and
that or Mr.. MacBride, that the public
must be quite at loss to decide the
real merits of the case. 1t is the
duty OF the Board of Health to know
the facts, and to decide whether
your administration is clean, or
whether your efficiency as public
servant has been so impaired az to
make 1T unwise to continue your con-
hection with the department.,
You are entitled to your day in
court, and shall be given abundant
opportunity to make all proper ex-
plantations and observations. To the
end that you may not be distracted
from your duties in the department
wnile preparing for hearing, 1 shall
relieve you. from duty pending off,
clal action by the Board of Health.
Will communicate with the
Poilce Commissioner and the Health
Officer of the Port, nv colleaeues in
the Board of Health, and ask that a
special meeting be called with the
express purpose of passing on the
merits OF the controversy. The par
ticulars and specifications of the
charges will be prepared and served.
Pendlng the hearing you are hereby
suspended from duty. Very truly
yours.
"RoYAL S. COPELAND, M. D..
Commissioner"
reached this decision with entire
t gard of any question of ethics in
dlsregarding his chief, as l know that
man under pressure is apt to do i'm
pulsive things"
When will DR.. Brown be given a
hearing? reporter asked.
pared" f-e
Who is formulating them?
"The Corporation Counsel's office.
upon matter adduced at the hearings
conducted by Mr.. Mcbride"
DR.. Brown, after consultation with
his counsel, George Gordon Battle,
last night gave out statement in
which he asked for an Immediate pub-
lie hearing. fNN
=. "The letter of DR.. Copeland" he said.
lis very clear and explains his position
1T Is quite true that there is a marked
contrast between my letter and that
OF Mr.. MacBride. I am delighted that
the public may have an opportunity to
decide the merits of the case. TO This
end l shall request as speedy and as
public a trial as possible. All I ask
Is IS tull and free presentation of the
1aces. and | have no doubt as to the
outcome. because know there is no
ground for MIR. MacBride's charges.
- am grateful to DR.. Copeland for
ms consideration in relieving me from
duty, so that may have the time nec-
essary to prepare for the coming trial !"
DR.. Amster Not Surprised
DR.. J. Lewis Amster, when informed
last night Of the suspension Of Dr.,
Brown, said ne was not surprised.
Mayor Hylan a week ago insisted
and demanded that suspend Dr..
Brown he said. ii took the matter
up. with Assistant District ATTORNEY
John I. Dooling, and was told such ac-
ton was iaadvisable, inasmuch as Dr..
brown was proving invaluable in dig
glng out the graft in hie dena vtnn ant ~