The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-23
They Vote Against Ordinance ApprO-
priating $4,000 for Temporary
COntagiOn Hospital.
EXISTENCE OF AN EMERGENCY
ARE NOW MORE SMALLPOX PA
TIENTs THAN CAN BE CARED FOR.
Republicans Disguised Over the Situ-
atiOn-Another Special Meet
ing May BE Held.

Disregarding the emphatic statement Of
the City Board of Health that Indianap-
oils is facing smallpox epidemic of
serious nature, and rejecting the appeal
of the board for a temporary contagion
hospital of sufficient size to alleviate the
dangerous conditions now existing. the
Democratic members of Council last night
in the special meeting called by the mayor.
refused to vote for appropriation or
dinance authorizing the expenditure of
$500 to build the structure. of which the
health board is in urgent need. Without
their support the Republicans were unable
to pass the ordinance, since all appropria-
tion measures require a two-thirds vote to
pass. Various excuses were given by Mr..
Moriarity and his colleagues when DR..
Kahlo and Secretary, Buehler, of the board,
found it necessary to appeal to them to
support the emergency measure.
1--WE do not think it necessary to be in a
hurry" one member said.
do you realize" said DIR. Buehler, that
the pesthouse at the City Hospital is so
crowded now that men and women, loath-
some with smallpox, are jammed in there
without regard to sex or the restrictions
which common modesty require?"
WELL we don't think a smallpox house
should be built within the city limits" said
another.
do you think" said DR.. Kahlo, that it
would be any more dangerous to build the
house where we suggest than to refuse TO
allow any sort of structure to be construct
ed, thereby tying the hands of your health
officers who must take care of these suf-
ferers in some way?"
NO ANSWER MADE.
To that remark 10 answer was found
One Democrat said: well. suppose we
did vote for the measure; no action of any
sort could be taken until the mayor re-
turned and signed the ordinance. He will
not return until Monday" He was in
formed that ways existed to legally get
around that difficulty, and that, in view Of
the existence of an emergency of such
gravity, cOuncilmen, irrespective of politics,
should endeavor to assist rather than re-
sist a Health Board familiar with the sit
uation.
The ordinance. which was introduced by
Thomas A. Wynne, authorizes the expendi-
purpose stated. The plans which Secre-
tary Buehler, of the Board of Health pre-
sented TO Council with the ordinance pro-
vide that the temporary contagiOn hospita |
shall be frame structure eighty feet long
by forty feet wide. 1t shall contain five
rooms-one for white male patients. one
for white female patients, one for black
male patients and one for black female
patients. The fifth room is 10 be used for
a laboratory for the preparation of medi-
cineS, etc.
One second after the clerk had finished
reading the ordinance Councilman Berry
moved TO adjourn, but the Republicans de-
feated the motion. With the idea of con-
vincing the Democratic members of the
finance committee that the appeal of the
Board OF Health was not one To be disre-
garded lightly, a recess OF ten minutes was
voted by the Republicans Mr. Moriarity
shook his head and refused TO go into the
committee meeting. Otner Democrats stub
bornly held their seats. Then ensued the
spectacle OF Mr.. Wynne. Mr.. Grail and
the Republican members OF the committee
endeavoring 10 persuade the Democrats of
the committee to meet with them for the
consideration OF "A measure affecting public
health and safety Finally the members of
the minority Joined the committee meet
ing, but throughout its discussion they re-