The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-27

Francisco, where / was isolated for
six months. and later I was trans
ferred to the Louisiana State Home
for Lepers at Carville. ! reached
there February 2. 1920, and escaped
three weeks ago.
Wants Govt. Pension.
"Why did you come to Washing
ton ?55 Centlivre was asked.
az came here in the hope that my
case would be reviewed and that a
way would be found that / receive a
pension so that my mother and
brothers and sister be cared for by
the Government. / was not a leper
victim when / enlisted In the army.
contracted the disease in some
manner after my enlistment. I realize
the necessity for my complete isola-
ton; realize that l am leper. and
/ feel that the Government should
care for me in a proper manner. /
do not deserve to undergo cruelties.
1 have undergone hell on earth al
ready. Congressman should realize
what I underwent. Investigation
will prove the statements have
made to be true. An invest cation
home in Louisiana"
DR.. William c. Fowler, District
Health Officer, while in sympathy
with the leper. does not want him to
remain in the Capital. This morning.
DIR. Fowler was in communication
with the office of Surgeon General
Cummings in an effort to have Cent
livre returned to the leper home in
Louisiana.
After escaping from the Ieper home
three weeks ago. Centlivre went to
Houston, Tex, and thence to Birming-
ham, Ala. He reached Washington
Thurdsay night. arriving here in n
Pullman sleeper, and spent the night
| in n rooming house on First street
northwest. DR.. Fowler is trying to
| locate the house in order that Il can
be fumigated.
After presenting himself at the
United States Public Health Service
the leper was quarantined in a room
and DR.. Fowler was sent for After
taking a history of the case from
Centlivre, DR.. Fowler had him re-
moved to the District quarantine sta
ton. where he will be held until to-
morrow when he will be transferred
to the hut on Eastern Branch that was
occupied by John Early, Washington's
last leper. Early is now at the home
| in Louisiana and he and Centlivre are
friends. 1t was at Early's suggestion
| that Centlivre, who is of French ex-
traction. came to Washington.
"Early's coming here soon," Cen
tlivre told The Times this morning.
He'll not come here IL can pre-
vent it," said DR.. Fowler. EARLY
| cost the District $4,000 a year as long
as he was here. And, now that he is
| 10 ha Ia 70 OF
We don't want him. And, l am going
to send Centlivre back to the leper
home with the cooperation of the
| Federal authorities.
Native Of New Orleans.
| "Centlivre is a native OF New Or
leans. He was confined in the leper
home at New Orleans and that Is
where he belongs.
Or. Fowler quoted section 81 OF the
| interstate quarantine regulations,
which specifically state that any per-
son who presents symptoms OF lep-
| rosy and who is travelling or who has
left the state where he resides in vio-
Iation OF the above regulation shall
be detained and IL proven to be a
leper shall be returned to such state
or removed to such Federal station
as the Secretary of tho Treasury des-
ignates and the proper health author
tiles notified. DR.. Fowler will be
guided by this and similar regula-
tions in deporting Centlivre out OF
the District. where he Is considered
by the Health Department a menace.
For years efforts have been made
for the colonization of lepers under
Government control. The question
has frequently been brought up in
Congress, but nothing definite has
ever come out OF pleas for a Govern
mcnt home or colony for lepers.