Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-19
BUSINESS METHODS
That Merchants Do Not Approve.
Misrepresentation Concerning the
SMALLPOX Situation.

misrepresentation Concerning the
Smallpox Situation.
The Register yesterday published an
authoritative statement from Dr. S. l..
Jepson, Health Officer of the city of
Wheeling, to the effect that there were
no known cases of smallpox in this
city, and but eight cases in the pest
house, one of whom will be discharged
to-day. The statement was given be-
cause of the fact that exaggerated
reports concerning the prevalence of
the disease in this community were
being industriously circulated by de-
signing persons in suburban towns.
The object sought to be attained by the
spread of these sensational rumors,
was palpably to prevent citizens from
doing their holiday shopping in Wheel
ing.
While it may be conceded that some
persons handed the reports to others,
honestly believing them to be true,
there can be no doubt that others re-
sorted to this questionable method Of
benefiting their business with the sole
purpose of frightening citizens of the
respective towns, and possibly with a
view to bringing about a quarantine
against Wheeling. That the publica-
ton of DR.. Jepson's card was timely,
is proven by hand-bill which came
into possession of Register represent
ative in Benwood yesterday. Its con-
tents were in part as follows:
SMALLPOX. In the business districts
of BELLAIRE AND WHEELING I'M 40
cases reported in Wheeling alone. and
they say that the BOARD OF HEALTH
were considering the advisability of
GUARANTEEING those towns on ac-
treme danger of spread of the disease.
This is worse because ii comes a a time
when shoppers are thinking of visiting
the infected districts
Whatever may be said about the in
formation upon which such a state
ment as is made in the hand-bills is
based, the publication of such ground
less rumOrs is unjustified and wholly
inexcusable. Any honest desire to
learn the truth concerning the situa
ton, would have been promptly and
readily gratified by the Health Officer.
Such business methods, if they may
be so called, cannot be too severely
condemned. Wheeling merchants who
learned of the distribution of these
hand-bills were outspoken in their de-
nunciatiOn. The Health Officer of Nc
Mechen or any other community might
have ascertained the facts by a simple
telephone communication with DR.. Jep-
son.
1t should also be borne in mind in
this connection that citizens Of town
have certain rights one of which is
the privilege of buying wherever they
please and it would not be strange if
they would resent any effort to compel
them to buy of certain merchants Re
ports of this character also tend to pre-
vent, if they do not actually prevent,
citizens from going to and from
Wheeling on other than business mis-
sions. Citizens of suburban towns are
justified in protesting against any
Iab1idgement of their rights which
has for its sole object the qualification
of the jealousy or cupidity of home
merchants.
Assuming that the condition of af-
fairs mentioned in the hnd-bills actual
ly existed, it's use in such an advertise
ment would not be considered proper
by the ordinary merchant 1t is easy
to learn the facts There is no small
pOX in Wheeling. Health officers of
neighboring towns know just what the
situation is, and there is no likelihood
of quarantine. Under the circum-
ces it is a question whether the courts
could not intervene if quarantine meas
ures were adopted.