The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-03
WILL GET BETTER APPARATUS.
AID. FARRELL SAYS THAT WILL
FOLLOW GOVERNMENT
QUARANTINE.


Pending Il Hearing From Citizens.
After the Citizens Meeting To-
morrow Afternoon Council VIII
Decide whether to Make a PrOpO-
sitiOn to the Government to Trans
fer the station.
The question Of interest to Savannahians
just now is the control of quarantine,
which will be discussed at a public meet
ing TO which all citizens have been invited
at the city exchange TO morrow afternoon
at O'Clock. Most physicians, commercial
and professional men, and others interested
in the welfare of the city, have expressed
their intention Of being present The argu-
ments of both sides viii probably be
brought out fully
The City Council will pass upon the
matter after hearing from citizens, not
withstanding some of the aldermen have
already expressed themselves quite posi-
lively in favor of government control of
the station. Though leaning toward gov
ernment control, Mayor Myers has not ex-
pressed himself, and says he will not do
so until he has heard all sides of the ques-
ton. Aldermen Wells, Dixon, farrell. era
ham and Bacon favor government control,
though not TO an extent to keep them from
weighing all facts and coming to another
conclusion.
Alderman farrell. acting health officer.
was seen yesterday in regard TO his adj
vocacy of putting the station under the
marine hospital service. He said he ia
vored the change for many reasons, be-
Nvafr ste 81
the city. No one feels a keener interest in
the city's welfare than himself he said,
and unless he saw the people were to be
benefited by the proposed change, he
would not favor it.
Some of those who have been quoted in
connection with this discussion" said Al
derman farrell. seem to think a change
will injure Savannah's commerce. This
seems to be an entirely erroneous conclu-
sion, as the facilities Of the government
are such that the result will be quite 10
the contrary My belief is the first thing
the government would do after getting
control would be to give us an up-to-date
plant, capable of dispatching work at the
station, and allowing vessels to get in
more promptly than they do at present
The city is not in position to make an ex-
penditure such as improvements of this
character would demand but once the
sure the station will be fully equipped and
put on parity with the best anywhere
else in the South. If the government
takes charge it will necessarily feel the
responsibility of protecting the whole
South from the invasion of disease and
for that reason II seems there should be
nothing to fear.
MY main reason for favoring the
change is that the city will get service
Frlir- al
the cost of operating the station, which is
now a big item" continued Alderman Jar
rell. There can be no doubt about the
competency of the marine hospital sur
geons, who would be compelled to give
the station the closest of attention. BY
some it has been urged that quarantine
should be In the hands of an officer from
this city but this has not been the case
for several years. The present officer, as
well as his predecessor came to Savan-
nah after their appointment. Another
consideration is that the government has
ample funds behind 1t to give this city the
kind of apparatus 1T should have at quar-
antine, whereas the city itself has not the
funds"
Alderman Mills realizes the Importance
of the proposed change, and for this rea-
son has not made up his mind either for
or against the proposition. When seen
yesterday by Morning News reporter
he stated he would not decide the matter
until he had heard from citizens. If a
majority of the people do not favor a
change if they think Council would be
acting hastily, Alderman Mills saws this
would have much to do with his decision
He has confidence in the governments
ability TO properly manage the station,
however, and unless there are good rea-
sons for not turning it over, he said the
matter should be seriously considered, now
that it is before the people, Alderman
Mills is glad the people. and particularly
the physicians, are discussing the trans
fer. as this insures a thorough investi-
CATION of all the facts.
Alderman Tiedeman is also undecided
about the transfer. He stated he would
not decide one way or the other until after
the public discussion. He desires to hear
both sides of the question before commit
ting himself to either
Ex-Alderman A. s. Cuckenheimer is on
posed to the change. While he has not Civ
en- the matter much thought he does not
see that there is anything to be gained by
change such as that which seems to be
favored by several members of the City
Council The quarantine is managed 10
the entire satisfaction of most everybody
he said and to turn ii over to the govern
ment might be at a sacrifice of the city's
best interests Savannah Is strictly COM
mercial city, he said, and this is what
makes quarantine one of the most i'm
portaut questions with which the people
have to deal
do you favor municipal or national
control of quarantine at Savannah"
President Purse of the Board of Trade
was asked.
In my judgment 1t would be a dangerous
step for Savannah to surrender the con-
troll of her quarantine station to the ma
tional government" he replied. Il have
read or heard the leading arguments of
those advocating this course and find
but one substantial reason advanced for
adopting this course, namely, that the
city might save $4,000 or so, COO per an
mum If control were transferred to the
national government, and this in my opin-
ion should be subordinate reason in view
of the fact that Savannah is a commercial
city, and such comparatively small ex-
pendture 20 protect her vast commerce.
should really have no weight in a de
cision upon so vital a matter
1.-The regulations of our quarantine" he
continued, keeps it in harmony with
the marine hospital service which vo,11