The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-21
TWO VIEWS OF QUARANTINE.

.
Nh report states that vessels sent to
@-.naIo discharge their ballast there, are
da+ained five days, load with new ballast
and report to the Savannah station, where
the ballast is discharged, unless the YES
sel i allowed to bring it to the city on
fhe condition that it be not discharged. A
COMPARISON of the charges at the New Or
geans and Savannah stations given, show
anq that the charges are much higher at
New Orleans than at Savannah. The
charge for disinfection at Savannah is $15
~ s6 and at New Orleans 81. so to $3.50.
The Louisiana state board of health which
has charge of the quarantine receives no
anpropriation, either from the state or the
,eitv and besides the quarantine has three
inspecting stations, all of which are sup
ported by the fees obtained from vessels.
As 10 ballast DR.. Owens remarked that
very little came up to the city as most
OF the vessels to New Orleans come in
cargo. Inquiries were made on the subject
Incorporation between Savannah and
New Orleans, in maintaining medical in
ispectors at the fruit ports, and the quar-
antine authorities stated that they were
willing to enter into such an arrangement,
prorating the cost according to the num-
Der of cargoes to each port.
Mayor Meldrim announced that the sub
4 ject on which information was desired by
81 the board was existing evils complained
of, and called on all, who had anything
N to say on the subject to do so.
Mr.. James Earle stated that one evil
4 of the quarantine is the lack of dscharg-
/ 5ng room. Previous to the storm of 1893
he said, there had been five berths but
since then there have been only two
\ causing delay to vessels sometimes of
considerable length, The condition of the
runways for discharging ballast had been
a serious complaint. He inquired if they
had been repaired.
Dr. Drummer replied that the runs had
been repaired but that it would not
shorten the delay by over six hours,
THE system of discharging ballast is
wrong" he said. Il have said so for four
yelrs."
Mr. j. f. Minis said that the enforce
ment of the regulations by compelling YES
sells, which had already been admitted to
other ports, both north and south of Hat
teras. to undergo quarantine here, had
resulted in driving away from the port
she entire Spanish trade. He related the
history Of the Spanish steamship Bona
ventura, which coming from Havana, was
admitted to the port of New Orleans, took
on a part cargo of corn there, and came
to Savannah to finish loading She was
forced TO discharge her cargo at quaran-
tine, and undergo disinfection and deten-
ton before being admitted to the city
Or. Drummer replied that the Bonaven-
tura was not disinfected at New Orleans
DIR. Owens said that this was an error. as
case, and was informed by the quarantine
officer that the Bonaventura had been dis
infected al that port
Mr. John r. Young submitted the report
of the committee appointed by the board
of trade to represent that body at the
meeting. Mr.. Young said that one of the
things chiefly complained of was the send
ing of vessels from infected or suspected
ports to Sapelo for disinfection, entailing
an extra cost of towage and pilotage to
Sapelo and return and the loss of time to
the vessel, which was frequently kept
waiting her turn at the wharf at Sapelo
"a and again required to wait her turn at the
wharf at the Savannah station, where she
was required to discharge the ballast
taken on at Sapelo and take on fresh ball
"A last with which to come up to the city.
Mr.. Young submitted a number of letters
a from ship captains, stating the expense to
d which their vessels had been put by these
q extra expenditures and delays the
N amounts being in several instances over
$1,000 per vessel. Ns&
Mr.. Young said that the committee was
n not prepared to submit an opinion as to
the value of quarantine, preferring to
Il leave that to experts. II simply presented
the facts, showing the nervousness of the
present system upon the commerce of the
port 1t simply desired that such a quar-
antine system be enforced as would thor
oughly protect the health of the city with
tAe ledSt Duruen TO It's commerce.
Mr.. K. E. Andersen called attention to
the poor quarters provided for sailors at
the quarantine station. He thought,
while the masters and agents of vessels
we're being considered, the sailors should
be considered also.
DR.. owens confirmed Mr. Andersen's
statements
DR.. Drummer said that there were quar-
iers for as many as eighteen men, which
IS IS many as this usual crew of a sail
hg vessel consists Of. Besides, the disin-
letting warehouse is as good a place for
Gews to sleep as the forecastle of a YES
sci, or much better. In his opinion, there
are ample facilities for sleeping quar-
Ars
Mr.. F. A. Boyle, formerly of Brunswick,
said that since the United States marine
hospital service has taken charge of the
quarantine at that port there are no quar-
intine charges. While SaVannahs charges
night be reasonable, as compared with
n New Orleans, it should not be forgotten,
be said, that there is a neighboring free
port.
Dr. Owens asked some questions con-
nrning the right of the marine hospital
Ervice to take charge of local quaran-
the Mr.. Boyle could not answer, but
Dr. Drummer replied that the service has
the right.
They will take charge here, too, If you
cont do what is right" he remarked. This
''ou6Ht applause from some OF Ut. Bruu-
"A hers friends in the crowd.
In response to an inquiry by DR.. Owens
as TO why the national government took
charge of the Brunswick quarantine, DIR.
lie Hardy said that he could answer.
4 1t was by request of the city of Savan-
nah" he said, made by the mayor to
the governor who made the request upon
the surgeon general"
Capt. II. T. Williams laid stress upon
the fact that the main process of disin-
fection at the station is that of bringing
sulphur in pots, which is no longer con-
sidered sufficient; and that vessels which
are sent to Sapelo to be disinfected and
take on disinfected ballast, are required
10 unload this ballast at the Savannah
station and take on fresh ballast there
ehtailing serious delay and expense to
vessels.
There being no further complaints the
question Of remedies for the things COM
plalned Of was discussed. Under this head
Ut. j. A. G. LeHardy submitted a paper
OF the subject Of quarantine and sanitary
measures.