The Washington times., 1929-08-15
ASSERT RECTOR
PASSED SELF
AS NJ. D.
CONTINUED from First Page)


held he had plaglarIzed in a medical
book he published. Federal Judge |
Knox, at that time said:
"EmprIngham in dealing with sub |
jects which imply medical knowl-
edge so designated himself an to In.
duce the belief that he holds the de-
gree of doctor Of medicine. At times
he stated to patients calling AT his
clinic that he was a duly qualified
physician, although not licensed to
practice IN this State.
The defense was that DIR. w. L.
Cocks. a licensed practitioner. had
always been in the office with DR..
Empringham during the examina.
tons.
DR.. Louis I. Harris. health com
missioner at the time OF the suit,
said today he believed the clergy
man should be dealt with severely.
II am glad the health depart
ment has followed this case through
and is proceeding against Empring-
ham. / am sorry he has not been
brought to prosecution.
II believe ministers can be and
are OF great help to the medical
profession. but only In bringing COM
fort and building up the morale OF
patients" he said.
1t was further charged In the
case against Empringham that he
operated an x.ray machine on the
bodies OF men and women patients
who had been solicited by the
Health Educational Society's ad-
vertisement, offering examinations
and advice for q 50 Zee.
Or. Cocks himself had complained
that the clergyman was usurping
his duties and the health depart.
ment investigators charged DR..
Cocks was frequently In distant
parts Of the building while Empring-
ham examined clients.
Or. Empringhann said he gave
fatheriy advice and warned against
the use OF tobacco. liquor. and late
hours as health detriments.
1t was reported that Bishop Man.
ming ID reluctant to take any inn.
mediate notice OF the charges be.
cause Of q possible unpleasant pub
lefty.
"What the Episcopal Church
wants to do with Empringham as a
minister Ii its own affair" said DIR.
s. Dana Hubbard. chief Of the
legal bureau Of the health depart
ment.
] I'VE don't intend to have him
posing as doctor OF medicine or
to permit him or any other I'M
licensed person the professional
privileges of doctors to examine
men and women diSrobed.
after great difficulty, We have
closed DR.. Emprinham's clinic and
we have been assured by the
Church Temperance Society that 1t
will stay closed" he said.
PrObed Since 1926
Records OF the health department
show that the clinic has been under
investigation since 1925. 1t Is re.
ported that the ultimate closing in
February was the result of Bishop
Manning's activities. Three classes
of complaints had been made
against the institute. One from
dissatisfied patients, a second from
doctors employed by it, and a third
from outside practitioners.
Most OF the patients treated at
the institute came from outside OF
New York, from cities and towns
upstate and in New Jersey.
shortly after the Episcopal con-
vention in Washington, D. c.. in
October last year, the health de.
partment was visited by the Rev.
Mr.. Gilbert. representing Bishop
Manning, He laid all the facts be-
fore the department.
A group Of Episcopal clergynlen
are said to have demanded that
Empringham be unfrocked, but
Bishop Manning did not desire the
attendant publicity.
DENIED CHARGES
However. a resolution was passed
at the Washington convention in
which the church denied all official
standing with the Church Temper
ance Society and the Health Insti-
tute. This was signed by Rev.
Charles l.. Pardee, secretary Of the
House of Bishops.
When the first complaint was re.
ceived by the Health Department
that the clergyman was conducting
physical examinations of disrobed
women he was called in for Ques-
tioning. He came with his wife
ana a Mrs. Dawson and denied all
charges.
The ndays later he was called in
was told things were serious. He
said he was negotiating for the sale
OF the place, and in fact it did APP
parently pass from his hands, but
later he came in possession OF it
and 1t was closed
One patient is said to have been
refunded $3.50 in fees she paid for
ri afa ole % 4.
ted q weekly income OF $500 from
the place.
All affidavits in the matter have
been sent to DIR. Harold Hypane,
secretary OF the State board of med
ical examiners, at Albany.
DIR Empringham brought forth a
storm of criticism and the wrath
OF the Episcopal Church when he
declared himself in favor OF modi
fication of the Volstead act in 1925.
Or. Empringham once was super
intendent of the league in New
York.
RENO, New. Aug. Is 1.N.s)S-I
James Empringham has not been
seen here by the attorney who Sc
cured his divorce. since the day of
the trial. June 10.
At the trial. Empringham denied
he was the Rev. Empringham, of
New York. He secured the divorce
on desertion grounds from Ethel M.
Empringham whom he married
February IS, 1895, in Ontario.
He resided In a dude ranch near
Pyramid Lake, New. and repre-
scented himself as an author.
Summer School Pupils