Evening star., 1925-06-05
HELDFOR VIOLATING
VACCINATION LAW
Jury Returns Verdict of
Guilty Against DR.. Chat.
field, Chiropractor.

After celebrating nearly six hours
the jury in Police Court last night re-
turned with a verdict of guilty in the
case of DR.. Aionzo B. Chatfeld. presi
dent of the Chiropratic Research Uni
versity, 1349 l. street, charged with
the violation of the District vaccina-
ton law.
No sentence has yet been imposed
by Judge Gus A. Schuldt, presiding
magistrate. as II is thought likely that
the defense will file a motion for a
new trial within the four-day period
allowed them by law.
Eight other members of the chiro-
practfc university charged with the
same offense still face trial, but II 10
believed their hearing will await the
final outcome of DIR. Chatield's case
| II being probable that il will be taken
to the Court of Appeals and IL pos
sible the Supreme Court of the United
States. All defendants at present are
at liberty on bonds of s25 each.
Case of National Importance.
The trial, which went to the jury
yesterday afternoon at o'clock, termi-
mated one of the most significant hear
ings held in Police Court in recent
years. II became of national impor-
tance when the defense, represented
by Andrew Wilson and Judge George
S. Evans, attacked the validity of the
vaccination law itself. This law, passed
by Congress March 8, 1897. providing
for the protection of the residents of
the National Capital by requiring
compulsory vaccination for all those
exposed to smallpox, was upheld by
J. j. McGarraghy, assistant corpora
| ton counsel, who objected to its in
lection into the trial and was firmly
| sustained by Judge Schuldt.
The trial, lasting for three days, was
| Veritable battle from start to finish.
Many legal and medical authorities
were presented. Three or four times
the jury was recessed until the cem-
| batting attorneys argued over points
of law. Each time Mr.. McGarraghy
won his point and each time excep-
| tons were noted by the defense attor-
| neys.
DR.. Willard Carver, dean of chiro-
practors, from Oklahoma City. was
called by the defense to take the
| stand in attacking the statements
made by DR.. William c. Fowler,
health officer of the District of Colum-
bia. The court was asked by Mr.. Nc
| Garraghy to disqualify Carver as an
| expert witness bece use Of his lack of
knowledge, but on this point the
assistant corporation counsel lost out,
as the court after much discussion
| admitted him. 1t was not, however,
until DIR. Carver retracted some of his
statements regarding exposure.
DIR. Fowler's Testimony.
| DIR. Fowler, the Government most
| important witness, told the jury of
how Mrs. Harriet Stackhouse. an in
mate of the Chiropractic Home. had
become Ill with smallpox, and how
| d.ya frp had de
| and she had been removed to the
smallpox hospital. DR.. Chatfield, who
also lived at the same residence, had
refused to become vaccinated, along
with eight other chiropractors.
The health officer then stated that
the nine members of the university
were taken to the quarantine station,
where they were kept for is days.
The defense denied that Mrs. Stack
house had smallpox and tried to dis
prove that DIR, Chatfieid had ever
| been exposed. DIR. Carver stated that
there was no such thing as exposure
unless those exposed became infected,
Inasmuch, he argued, as none of the
nine defendants had become infected.
1t must show that they were not ex-
posed.
1t was at this time that Mr.. Nc.
Garraghy asked the court that DR..
Carver be disqualified, and as he was
doing so several spectators, who had
sat through the long sweltering hours
of the trial, Kissed audibiy. Order
soon was restored, and the trial went
on.
| witnesses for the Government
were DIR. Fowler, DIR. r. H. Ford
assistant health officer. and DR.. John
e. Walsh, in charge Of the Smallpox
Hospital Defense witnesses included
DIR. Chatfield, his wife, Mrs. Annie C.
Chatfeld; DIR. Carver and Blanch De
Wolfe.
The other eight defendants are Mrs.
Chatfieid Blanch De Wolfe, Thomas
Elias, John Figel, Jessie C. Jenkins
H. l.. Lewis, Charles d. Stewart and
Carrie Rockrohr.
The law provides upon conviction a
fine of not less than IS and not more
than 5000, or an imprisonment of not
less than five days and not more
than six months, or both, according
to the discretion of the court.