Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-03
STATE HOUSE.
Legislature Will Be Asked to
Change Libel Law. E
State Board Of Health Looking After
SmalIpoxin Lumber Camps.
Some New Corporations File Papers
With Secretary Of State.

At the last session of the Legislature
an effort was made by the newspaper
publishers of the State to secure a
modification of the laws relating to
newspaper libel, but while one or two
changes were made they were of such
a character as to give little comfort to
the publishers of the State. The COM
ing winter it is expected that another
attempt will be made to obtain some
amendments which will be of benefit
to the owners and editors of news
papers. Hon. Charles H. Prescott.
member of the Governors Council from
York county, and the publisher Of the
Biddeford Journal. has the following
to say on the subject:
"One thing for which the Maine
newspapers should work as a unit dur
ing the coming session of the Legisa-
ture is more sensible, more equitable,
more modern newspaper libel law
The Maine Press Association and the
Maine Publishers Association favor a
law modelled on the one which Massa-
clusetts adopted several years ago
and which has given general satisfac-
ton to the newspapers and to the gem
eral public. There is no earthly reason
Why a similar law should not take the
place of the antiquated one now on our
statute books"
The following letter is being sent to
the various lumber operators who are
or who may be doing business in the
Maine woods:
Augusta, Maine, October "a, 1902.
Dear Sir
l wish to call your attention to what
seems to be a serious danger to the
prosperity of the lumber business the
coming winter. In many of the other
states there is now quite a large preva-
lence of smallpox, though we do not
see much about it in the newspapers.
and the same is true of many parts of
Canada. 1t looks as though we might
have pretty frequent outbreaks in the
lumber camps unless we all cooperate
in taking rational precautions. The
only rational precaution is for the
operators to require that every man
in his camps shall be protected by a
recent vaccination.
| am fully aware that there is some
difficulty i'm getting men for the woods,
and that some men will object to vac-
and that some vaccinated men
will have to lay off few days: but I
submit whether these disadvantages
are great enough to justify any oper-
ator in taking the chance of having
smallpox in his camps. Almost in
variably when that occurs it is impos-
sible to hold the men and when it is
possible to do so, there would be likely
to be difficulty in getting in supplies
to infected camps.
An exposure of this kind has lately
occurred in one camp in the State A
man from Massachusetts developed
smallpox after he had gone to work
in one of the camps in Penobscot
county. After this occurred, the re-
naming men were vaccinated as soon
as possible. One additional case has
occurred from exposure to the first
case, although vaccination was done as
early as possible. but not early enough
to insure absolute protection. The
State board and the local boards did
their best as in the interest of the
lumber operators. the men themselves,
and the communities outside, to have
the men remain at the camp, but it
has been found impossible to keep
them there. 1t now looks as though
the winters operation would have to
be abandoned.
Last night, l received word from
DIR. Nichols of Jackman inspector for
the State Board of Health, that that
region is all severely threatened with
the danger of the importation of small
pox infection into the camps. Small
pox is prevailing across the line. and
one lumber camp there has been quar-
antined and deserted, and many men
have been coming across to get work
in our State. The doctor has stationed
man upon the road to keep them
back. Arrangements will be made as
soon as possible to have an inspector
stationed on that road for the present.
and arrangements made for the vac
cination of all men who come across.
but the fact is that many will avoid
him.
If you and every other operator will
require the vaccination of every man
working in the camps. the whole dan
ger will be obviated. If you will agree
to this, the State Board of Health. on
its part, will issue a special order re-
quiring the vaccination of every man
coming from Canada to work i'm the
woods, or it might be better to make
il more sweeping order requiring
every man. no matter from where he
comes. to be vaccinated. You could.
therefore, if you so wished. throw the
onus of the requirement upon the State
Board of Health.
Kindly let me hear from you about
this matter.
Yours truly.
A. G. YOUNG,