The sun., 1919-01-25
RABBI DODGES FIST
OF DR.. COPELAND
Exciting Moments Mark Hec-
tic Meeting Of Health Head
and His Critics.
HECKLES HIS HECKLERS
Wins Many Over as He Elk.
plains DR.. Harris Is Needed
in Vital Post.

It can be stated officially in connec-
ton with the hearing yesterday before
Or. Royal s. Copeland, Commissioner OF
Health. on the matter OF his proposed
removal of the division of Industrial hy-
giene from the control Of DR.. Louis I.
Harris. head of the Bureau of Prevent
able Diseases, to his own ONCE that the
Commissioners did not hit Rabbi l. c.
Goldsten of the Free Synagogue on the
nose or anywhere else, The Rabbi juJt
thought he was going to and ducked.
1t was the most exciting moment Of a
hectic afternoon In the assembly room ct
the Health Building, on Centre strees.
but the Commissioner explained after
ward that he didn't really feel mad for
minute; In fact, he had a most re-
freshing time. and while ne admitted
that some hard things were said to him
he didn't believe anybody meant any
thing unkind. He took pleasure in the
fact that after the hearing the labor
men present came up and shook hands
and promised TO take him ION the level.
as he asked.
One Woman Unreconciled.
Indeed. everybody unbent after the
fight except Mrs. Wood, head Of the
Woman's Municipal League. who walked
haughtily out when II became clear that
all the talkfest had left the thing Just
where It was at first. with DR.. Copeland
determined to put through his plan.
That woman has hate In her eye" the
Commissioner sighed. Now. what makes
her feel so?''
Representatives OF many labor organi-
cations and unions and OF innumerable
women's clubs were on hand, and the
speakers ranged ali the way from viru-
lent critics of DR.. Copeland to his ar
dent defenders. Nearly everybody con-
nected with the controversy appeared
some time during the ARRAY: even DR..
Harris. the storm centre OF II. was called
in on the demand of his admirers to be
questioned.
But DR.. Copeland, with the aid of a
large pitcher of water which he IRE
quently Quafred. held his own quite EN-
GENTLY. announcing now and again his
determination to run his department for
the good OF the community in his own
way. and no one, not even the Mayor
should interfere.
He didn't vote for Mayor Hylan. he
told DR.. George NJ. Price of the Joint
Board Of Sanitary Control. in answer to
an implication from the latter that his
motives were political and inspired by
evil influences; he didn't want the ONCE
no was holding. but the Mayor called
on him as a matter Of patriotic duty.
and now that he was holding II he would
administer II without interference, by
hack. or quit.
1t was lively brush between Com
missioner Copeland and DR.. Price, but
nothing to the duel In which Rabbi
Goldstein figured. Goldstein, sleek, blond
and small OF stature. made a contrast to
the rugged, dark haired Commissioner
as he rose to suggest in gentle tones the
appointing of a commission OF experts
TO investigate the proposed change In
the division OF industrial hygiene. DR..
Copeland leaned back. crossing his hands
over his waistline and fixing his eye on
.he rabbi. obviously seeing In him the
former clerk OF DR.. s. s. Goldwater
former Commissioner OF Health, whom
he regards as the author OF the attack
on him.