The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-21
A HEAD TO HEALTH OFFICE.
COUNCIL AND SANITARY BOARD
DISCUSS THE SITUATION.

lie A1AEug - AhlG w
TO Make Recommendations-Dr.
FARRELL Unable TO Give Full Time
to the Omcc-The Office Has Been
Held Open since December.
The need for strict surveillance Of
health conditions has attracted the atten-
ton of The city Council and the sanitary
board to the alleged unsatisfactory organ
ization OF the health department. Abund-
ant evidence has come to light during the
past few weeks, IT is claimed, to impress
upon the authorities the importance Of
having a health officer who can give his
undivided time to the city.
Mayor Myers had reasons for calling a
joint meeting of Council and the sanitary
board yesterday afternoon for The purpose
of considering a more satisfactory organi-
zaton of the health department. 1t has
been managed by Alderman farrell since
Health Officer LeHardy rehnquished his
duties last December on account OF III
ness. Alderman farrell has been efficient
in the discharge of his duties as assist
ant, but The time he has TO devote 10 the
work, aside from his regular practice,
. does not seem 10 ne EuIlCicHi 10 w JhoNANN
10 the office. II is understood, therefore,
that he suggested to the Mayor the ueces-
slty Of having some one who could give
his undivided time to the office, especially
since conditions have made close atten-
ton 10 lis duties matter of importance.
owing to the fact that an investigation
will be made before any direct steps are
taken 10 fiji the position which Health
Officer LeHardy, owing to illness, is al
10
cradle secrecy attached to the meeting
which composed the committee and the
sanitary board. Few knew what had cali
ed the aldermen together.
ITO save you time and trouble" said
Mayor Myers to Morning News report
er after the meeting, Il Will say you need
not go among the aldermanic board to
learn the object of this meeting as
have posted them 10 keep quiet How
ever. you may just say 1t was a joint
meeting of the committee of the whole ana
the sanitary board, and that nothing more
than routine business was transacted
The routine business consisted of a res
olution by Alderman Tiedeman authoriz-
ing the appointment OF committee of
five, of which the Mayor was TO be MEM
Der, for the purpose of inQuirng whether
Health Officer LeHardy will be able to
assume his duties within reasonable
time Besides the Mayor, Aldermen Tie
deman aud Wells are on the committee.
1t is stated that IL will not be surprising,
I'm view of the fact that DR.. LeHardy is
not expected to be able to continue as
health officer, that the committee recon-
mend reorganization of the department.
The committee is to report TO Council
within ten days as to the ACCESSIBILITY of
change, and in the event il decides that
the interests of the city demand one, then
as TO the most available person for the
position. An advertisement of the inten-
ton of Council to fill the position would
precede an election
Mayor Myers considers the reorganiza-
ton Of the health department an urgent
necessity, and particularly since existing
conditions demand a rigid administration
OF the health laws. Those present be-
sides the Mayor were Aldermen Tiede-
man. Wells, Doyle. Dixon, Bacon, Haas,
Williams, farrell and MIR. j. NJ. Solomons
sld Rev. w. c. Schaeffer of the sanitary
board.
There is said to have been a fun ex-
preston of opinion by aldermen and MEM
bers of the sanitary board as to che most
advisable course to pursue in view of the
statement by Alderman farrell, the acting
health officer. The increased duties that
have come upon the health officer during
the past few weeks, Alderman farrell said
makes it impossible for him 10 longer give
the office the attention it requires. 1t is
stated he favored reorganization of the
department, unless the committee of five
find that DIR. LeHardy will be able 20 re-
sumo his duties at once.
DR.. Schaeffer discussed the matter nj
some length, during which he stated he
thought the proper course Is to secure the
services of a thoroughly competent man
in case IL is found DR. LeHardy is unable
10 serve again. The office has been held
open since December, and Council now
seems inclined to a reorganization.
There has been considerable conjecture
as to who the board will select should IL
become necessary to fill the position.
which, II is said, DR.. LeHardys III health
makes very probable The services rem
dered by Alderman farrell as ACTING
health officer commend him for the place
ana expressions on the subject show that
he would be the choice Much satisfac-
ZION Is expressed by the Council with his
temporary management of the office But
there is doubt as to his eligibility. sine
his election would be in violation of the
law making IL illegal for an alderman II
DE elected TO any remunerative city Of
flee during the term for which he wa,
elected to Council. This law has recent,
been tested in several instances. and IN,
city attorney has rendered several opin
ions on II. During the term of the for
mer Council there were several cases m,
the most recent is that of Alderman
Schwarz, who contemplated running ia
tax assessor until advised that his cleo
ton would be Illegal. In becoming
candidate for health officer, Alderma,
farrell would occupy the same position n
those against whom decisions have hee,
rendered.
There is some doubt as to whetbe
Health Officer lie Hardy win be able I
resume has duties for some time ar leas,
kindly feeling is expressed toward Di
LeHardy by the aldermen, several q
whom say they viii CALI upon him befor
taking any aciien in the matter. They dc
sire TO discuss the situation with him. an
If il is considered best to reorganize tn
department, TO make clear their reason
for favoring the move.
During the two years he has been I
charge Dr. LeHardy has made record 70
tmpartlality in enforcing The sanitary law
and in giving TO the Office the careful al
tention It demands. When the city's healt
was at stake he would make exceptions /
no case, no odds whether ii be the wealth.
1