The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-29
FAVORS NATIONAL CONTROL.
ACTING HEALTH OFFICER JAR
RELL's POSITION ON QUARANTINE.

/ A-O1l AON Wv
City Now Required 10 Comply with
National Quarantine Laws and
No Reason why 1t should Not Let
the Government Bear the Expense,
He snys-WouId lie Placing 1t in
the Hands of Our Best Friends, DR..
FARRELL Thinks-Cfty Needs the
Money for CrematOries and other
PurpOses-AIdermen Dixon and
Bacon Favor the Proposed Move.
The approach of the season when the
rigid enforcement OF the quarantine rules
against all vessels. persons and baggage
coming from countries known to be infect
ed with yellow fever will be one OF the
most important duties of the city govern
ment makes the disposition on the part of
the city fathers TO turn the quarantine
station over to the marine hospital service
matter of more than usual interest.
On account of the greatly increased in
tercourse between this country and Cuba
and the fact that extensive intercourse
is likely to continue until late in the sea-
son because Of the number of troops and
government employees returning to this
country there is likely to be much appre-
hension of danger from this source. The
necessity of a vigilant watch being main
tanned at quarantine hardly needs to be
stressed.
DR.. J. G. FARRELL, acting health officer,
probab bly, best presents the views of those
h.. ~ h. ~,
control of the marine hospital service.
There is no reason that 1 know of why
the quarantine station should not be turn
ed over to the marine hospital service"
said DR.. FARRELL, when spoken to about the
matter. I'VE are enforcing the national
quarantine laws at our station now, and
see no reason why we should not let the
government enforce its own laws Mari
time quarantine is really a national mat
ter. The placing of the quarantine station
in the hands of the marine hospital service
would not deprive Savannah's board OF
sanitary commissioners of any of its pow
ers. The board would still exercise local
control. The board could refuse to allow
a vessel to come up TO the city after nav
ing passed the officer at quarantine had 1t
any reason for doing So"
"You do not think there is any founda-
ton fol. the apprehension that the control
of quarantine would be used to the dis
advantage of the city?" DR.. FARRELL was
asked
DO YOU think Il likely that the guns
of Fort Pulaski will be turned against
us?" said DR.. farrell. ut is the same
case exactly. We would be placing the
quarantine in the hands of our best
friends and of men who are fully capable
and competent to conduct it,
1.-The change would also be advantageous
10 the city on the score of finance" said
DIR. FARRELL. The city is expepding about
$4,000 a year for the maintenance Of quar-
antine. We need just that sum now for
a new crematory, and need it badly. With
. quarantine off our hands we could estab-
fish new crematory and make other
needed sanitary improvements as we'll"
How do you know that the marine hos
pital service viii accept the quarantine if
offered to them?" he was asked
II have reason to believe" he replied,
that If the station should be offered now
il will be accepted and the city allowed
a reasonable price for ats improvements
there. If there be any delay, however,
acceptance VIII be doubtful. The marine
hospital service only has a limited appro-
priation, and other demands upon its
funds are likely to arise The advantage
to the city from a sanitary standpoint
would be thar the facilities at quarantine
would be greatly improved"
Alderman James NJ. Dixon, who was
spoken to about the matter, said that he
was heartily in favor of the proposed
move.
81 see no reason why We should be at
the expense of enforcing the national
quarantine laws when the government is
willing to enforce them for u.s." said Mr.
Dixon. The question is a very import
ant one, however, and should not be act
ed upon hastily"
Alderman II. S. Bacon, also favors gov
eminent control of the city's quarantine
station If satisfactory terms can be agreed
upon. lie thinks there are several advant-
ages TO be gained, none of which will be
lost by the city from undue influence with
officials at Washington.
CITY officials are now communicating
with the marine hospital service" said Al
derman Bacon, with a view to determin-
ing the conditions under which the change
may be made. If Council Is perfectly sat
isfed with the conditions. the chances are
that the government will be allowed to run
the station. Aside from the saving to the
city, / think there are other things that
command the change"