The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-29
He Therefor Considers tie Action OF
the Kentucky Health Board
Unjustifable.
WILL HOLD CONFERENCE TODAY
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FUNDS AT
THE GOVERNORS COMMAND.
Possible Retaliation May BE Consid.
ered--New Albany Aroused Over
the Situation.

Governor Durbin regards the declaration
of quarantine against Indiana by the Ken
lucky health authorities unjustifable in
the light of the real smallpox conditions as
stated to him by health officers of cities
affected, and in the light of his own inves-
tigation. Discussing the action of the Ken
lucky board in moderate language, the Gov
ernor pointed out that no evidence of any
kind has been presented to him by the In
diana State Board of Health, the Kentucky
Board of Health or any person that small
pox epidemic exists in southern Indiana.
THE State board has never requested
me to devote part of the epidemic fund of
$4,000 toward suppression of smallpox"
said Governor Durbin. 1.-The whole matter
has never been brought to my attention in
a formal manner by the board. DR.. For
rest, president of the board, wrote me
letter not long ago stating that If / saw
fit / might order that a part of the fund
be used for the purpose. But the board
has never come before me and requested
that the money be used
The Governor went on to say that in
view of the fact that there is no evidence
of an epidemic, it would be unjust to ask
counties like Warrick, for instance. to help
Clarke county the other counties, where
a few cases of smallpox exist, to pay ex-
penses that should be paid by the counties
affected. He made it pretty plain that the
declaration of quarantine by the Kentucky
board will not affect his decision in regard
to the epidemic fund.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN FUNDS
''I would like to have people understand
the distinction between the emergency
fund and the epidemic appropriation"
said the Governor. THE first is for the
possible extraordinary needs of the State
institutions The second for possible epi-
denies of smallpox The first amounts to
$4,000 and the second to $4,000. State
ments have been made that the use of
the emergency fund was urged when the
fact is it was the other appropriation that
was meant. This epidemic fund is to
meet real epidemics of the disease" The
Governor does not consider that a real
epidemic exists in Jeffersonville, New AL
bany or in Southern Indiana at the pres
ent time.
do you believe it possible" the Gov
ernor was asked, that the action of the
Kentucky board is a stroke of retaliatory
II should hate to think" he answered
that Mr.. Beckham would be capable of
ANYTHING of the kind"
''Why do you believe that such radical
action was taken since the health Off
Ger of Louisville and health officers of
Jeffersonville and New Albany were en-
phatic in statements TO the effect that a
quarantine was not necessary, and since IL
is known that only two or three cases ex-
list in Jeffersonville and none in New Al
bany?"
cit is a puzzle to me-" said the Governor.
land l do not profess to understand il
yet"
The Governor has asked the State Board
of Health to meet with him to-day and
out OF that meeting important action is
expected TO come. He will receive the
views of the members of the board and
ascertain from them their understanding
of the situation.
1T seems TO me-" said the Governor
with emphasis, that Indiana has as much
If not more right 10 quarantine against
Kentucky than Kentucky has to take such
action against Indiana. Negroes are COM
ing across the river from Louisville con-
stantly who are afflicted with smallpox -
He did not hold out the intimation that
he would suggest a quarantine against
Kentucky. but II is probable that such
action will be discussed at to-days meeting
AS yet the Governor has received no noti-
hcation from the Kentucky authorities
that a quarantine has beep ordered. Until
such notification has been received he does