The Washington times., 1920-03-29
LEPER SOCIETY IN
US. IS REVEALED
Victim Of MaIady Here Tells OF
Being Aided by Uncon-
fined Victims.
from First PsgeD

disclose the Identity of those friends
afflicted with leprosy who aided him
with funds. Apparently, however. MT
O'Connor says lepers have secret
understanding and aid one another
whenever possible to avoid capture
and subsequent isolation In a leper
colony.
In his talk with Mr.. o'Connor. Cent
livre made IL clear that other lepers
had supplied him with funds and
aided him in reaching Washington
through fear OF disclosure.
ConKressmen Interested.
Members of Congress are interested
in the charges OF army brutality made
by Centlivre, who declares that the
army medical authorities inflicted
"barbaric treatment" in an effort to
cure what they diagnosed as skin
disease.
Congressman O'Connor and II. Gar
land Dupre. also OF Louisiana, have
taken up the case and are making
thorough investigation of the charges.
Congressman OConnor has written
Secretary Baker setting forth the
charges made by Centlivre and ask
ing full consideration OF his case.
"Centlivre is an intelligent, like
able chap" said Mr. O'Connor today.
Experience in the game OF life has
made him wary, but it strikes me that
his story in the main is true. NO
doubt there are irregularities in II,
but these can be accounted for by his
desire to shield "leper friends" VINO
aided him.
"If CentIiyre did contract leprosy
in the army-and there is every rea-
son to believe that he did-he is en-
titled to consideration. He knows
people in New Orleans and Is well
informed on a variety of subjects.
His study of leprosy has been very
thorough and he is resigned to life
time isolation once his mother and
minor brothers and sisters are pro-
vided for.
Warrants Investigation.
an telling history to me Centlivre
made the bold and significant state
ment that there are many lepers in
every city of the United States. The
doctors and civilians don't even sus-
pect the great extent OF the disease,
he declares.
ITO say the least Centlivre's story
warrants a thorough investigation in
justice to him and to the army ofi-
GERS against whom he has made
charges"
"A n1OnR torture NytltliN iV 'ioiiho ~
underwent was that of being tied to
a tree in cross-like fashion, put at
hard labor while in a weakened con-
dition Because he left camp without
permission, once he was courtmar-
tiaSed and put to hard labor for six
months. Part of this time he spent
in hole with more than a foot
of stagnant water in it, he declares.
He has prepared a typewriter state
ment OF these alleged cruelties and
named army officers and surgeons
who were responsible.
Arm. surgeon's he declares, told
him he was suffering from blood
disease" and that spots on his body
would clear up If he did hard labor.
Hard labor he declares only made
him worse and accumulated the
blotches on his body.
Because of alleged brutal treat
ment at Camp Beauregard, La. over
year ago Centlivre deserted from the
army, he says, and went to New Or
leans. He was arrested and sentenced
TO twenty-five years at Leavenworth.
Later he was sent to Alcatraz, and
here it was discovered he was suffer-
ing from leprosy. Subsequently he
was sent to the New Orleans leper
colony, from which he escaped three
weeks ago
Among the requests Centlivre asks
of the army authorities is an honor
able discharge from the army. He
was dishonorably discharged for de-
sertion. but claims his desertion was
due to i'll treatment.
Congressman O'Connor in letter
to the War Department inclosed a
clipping from the Washington Times.
with an interview from Centlivre. He
said that facts given in this story had
been corroborated by him.
Meanwhile DR.. William c. Fowler,
District health commissioner. has
communicated with the surgeon gen
eraI of the army and is endeavoring
to have the leper returned to the New
Orleans colony.