The Washington times., 1929-05-17
PR()BERS To
FIXBLAV|E
WORKER
HELD
BY CARL L. TURNER

CL e Y p l. A n d, May IL
aI.N.S.).-Dr. A. j. Pearse,
Euyahoga unity coroner,
temporarily suspended his in
Nestigation Of the horrible
Cleveland clinic disaster today
and turned that institution
into a research laboratory.
The coroner received delegation
from Chicago, headed by DR.. A. H.
Kegel. health commissioner. and the
party went to the clinic ruins to
make Investigations which Is It
hoped will form the basis of meas
sMres for preventing such catastro-
phes in the future.
At that time the unofficial
mources estimated the death toll as
high as l27, including two deaths
in the last IL hours. H. L. Rock
wood, city health commissioner. had
official records Of 11S deaths.
q Latest hospital reports told Of
IS patients jim critical condition at
Cleveland Clinic Hospital. a unit of
2lae Al-fated institution, and IL
more in Mt. Sinai Hospital.
Slow Death Adds Agony
OF these. physicians held hope fOr
the recovery Of not more than llaif,
Tie others gradually grow weaker,
I igsk a. so many other victims hare
dlOYe since fIie fFlgiItfsRl explosion.
before suCcumbing. The gas slowly
destroys the lung tissues. bringing
death by degrees.
Assistant Police Prosecutor Larry
Payne was one Of the few who were
fortunate enough to escape after be.
ing exposed to the gas. while, at
kempting to rescue victims.
Payne was gassed and wounded In
the battle Of YpEes, where many
ar his comrades carried on valiantly
after being gassed, only to drop
dead later when their lung tissues
gave way before the "slow death.
Describing his experiences today.
Payne said he found the effects Of
bromine gas and its slow but sure
process Of claiming its victims
virtually tho same as at Ypres.
/ Payne was one of the clinic dis
aster rescuers. He seems recovered
from all ILL effects of the gas, but
10 have others who were con-
graduated by their friends on their
fortunate escape one hour, only to
BE mourned as disaster victims a
few hours later. ....
Doctors Helpless
Physicians were never more help
less in the face of disaster than in
the present one Drugs are of
little value in combating the "slOw
death" as morgue officials have
named 1t. They can only administer
oxygen to the victim as his vitality
Gibbs and In last desperate effort
to save his life, resort to blood
TRANSMISSION.
. While one group investigated the
cause Of the disaster another banded
itself together to provide funds to
the extent of $4,000 If necessary.
for immediate rebuilding of the de.
Wtroyed clinic.
A temporary clinic has been
established near the old clinic and
d few patients already are being
taken care of there. The group
which will aid DR.. George w Grille
founder OF the Cleveland clinic, in
rehabilitation is headed by Samuel
Mather, noted philanthropist.
]. It's membership OF &c includes the
names of such widely known men
az the Van Swerlngen brothers
railroad magnates; Newton D.
Baker, former Secretary of War;
Charles Bradley, president of the
Cleveland Union Terminal Co., and
.Alva Bradley, president of the
cleveland American League base.
ball club.
Undaunted by the sudden collapse
OF the monument to his life's work.
DIR. Grille today announced he would
F'carry on" His announcement was
received with great satisfaction by
civic leaders who listed the clinic
as one of the city's most important
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column 81