The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-09-16
THE QUARANTINE.

Railroads Think that Some Classified
Agreement should he Reached.
you cannot imagine what an effect tho
quarantine against New Orleans is having
on the railroads." remarked an official yes
terday.
st not only is hardship on the roads,
but 1t directly and indirectly affects every
individual interest in the community. Men
are constantly being laid off who would
naturally be given employment at this
season of the year. These wage earners
distribute money to landlords, butchers,
bakers and others and make times good.
Don't understand. however, that the
railways are opposing quarantine. On the
contrary every order given by the State
authorities is carried out to the letter. 1t
is to the interest of the roads that yellow
fever be kept out Of Texas. So far as the
railways are concerned it would not appear
in New Orleans or anywhere else. Every
time 1t breaks out 1t means the loss of a
vast amount of money to the roads, much
more than the public would imagine. and
when the railroads are affected by loss
of revenue all classes of trade share in
the burden.
at does seem, though, that in this day
and age some agreement could be reached
whereby an Intelligent quarantine could
be established We ask nothing that we
think is unreasonable. and. as l said be-
fore, we would not for any amount OF
money introduce into Texas a case of yell
low fever. But we do think that If the
powers that be would get their thinking
caps together they would agree upon what
in railroad phraseology would be a clas-
sified quarantine. By that mean that such
freight should be admitted into Texas
which cannot possibly carry germs. We
can not at present even bring in the most
powerful disinfectants. Anything wrapped
in burlaps or similar protection should be
placed on the list OF goods not permitted
transit, but merchandise, except say dry
goods, should be moved. What danger is
there In salt, sugar, iron castings and
many other articles? None whatever.
1--WE have about reached the conclusion
that quarantine will be established against
New Orleans every year. so 1t is better for
all interests that old horse sense should
prevail and that such goods as can not
possibly carry contagion of any kind be ad-
mitted into Texas.
"What is called the Atlanta agreement
Is in some ways fair. but 1t hardly meets
all requirements. 1t was adopted rather
hastily and at panicky time, therefore l
believe that II the health departments will
give the matter due consideration the rail-
ways and the public will be relieved. that
Is to tho extent of allowing a specified class
OF freight to move. And you may be as
sured that the railways will be the first
to report and condemn and prosecute any
violation"
Austin. Texas. September 15.-Traffic
Manager Bein of the Southern Pacific had
q conference with State Health Officer
Blunt this morning relative to the CLASH
fication of freight out of New Orleans with
a view to facilitating the movement of
commodities from that point which do not
convey fever germs. Among other things
1t is desired to move asphalt for the paving
of certain Houston streets. which stuff
can It Is believed be safely admitted. the
changing of the crews on the train carry
ing 1t being about the only precaution nee
essary. DR.. Blunt declined to do anything
in the matter. however. for the present