The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-03
Resents Allegations Made by
 State Health Officer OPPOSES THE QUARANTINE Says Birmingham Should Not Close Its Doors Against Montgomery. Will Remain at Capital if
 Fever Spreads.

Governor Jelks returned from Bount Springs to Montgomery yesterday after noon the moment he heard that yellow fever had broken out in the capital city While the train was stopping in Bir- mingham Governor Jelks took occasion to protest emphatically against Birmng- hams action in quarantlning against Montgomery and also to reply to an in terview of Dr. Sanders of Montgomery that was printed in a Montgomery news paper of yesterday morning.
 "Dr Sanders interview" said Govern or Jelks. which I read this morning at Blount Springs, greatly surprised me.
 Acted Upon Boards Advice.
 Tn the quarantine matter have done precisely what I was recommended to do by the state board of health represented by Dr. Sanders. or in his absence on the Pacific coast by Dr. Bondurant.
 'I had no knowledge of any desire on Dr. Sanders part for a quarantine cov- ering the whole state of Louisiana until l saw he had already acted. The pre- sumption was that he himself was suf- ficient What reason was there why should have interfered if he could act a1nnap
 pr. Sanders Mistaken.
 .Dr. Sanders is mistaken in saying there has been too much red tape What he calls red tape is merely the statutory provisions. Statutes of a state are not usually denominated red tape l cer- tainly could not be expected to hang around the doctor to find out what he wanted done. It would have been simple enough and easy enough for him to reach me. The long distance telephones are working as are also the telegraph lines. l have been in easy access to both and both were running all night as well as all day. Besides, my office in Montgomery, my official place of doing business, is open more hours than any other office in the capitol, I suppose. The doctor might have reached me there. I am in few minutes of that place.
 Just as soon as the doctor preferred request to my office it was forwarded to me and granted without waiting a moment
 The Governors Complaint.
 My complaint is that the doctor ex- pected me to follow him and keep along with him In order that I could find out what was goin.; on in his mind and therenpon issuing proclamation con- veying the doctors thoughts. l did not choose to do that.
 ''Of course, he could not issue a procla- nation. There can be no dispute about that. The contrary would be absurd.
 "This is no time, however, continued about one another. Let us each do our duty and be content. It is naturally a time when foolish things are said and done, but heads of departments at least should keep cool. Let others be foolish. not them.
 sThe law gives the Board of Health the power to make such rules and regu- lations as they deem fit and necessary. ! The governor has nothing to do with the regulations.
 Will Stay in Montgomery.
 "Yes, am going to Montgomery. If the yellow fever there opreads or if the situ- ation there looks dangerous, I shall re- main in Montgomery. I apprehend no spread of the feaver, however. There is. in my opinion, no occasion for alarm. !"
 Have you heard that Birmingham has quarantned against Montgomery was asked.
 Regrets Birmingham's Action.
 "Yes. 1 learned of it at Blount Springs this morning." said Governor Jelks While I do not wish to criticise sevcrly the Birmingham authorities, feel it to be my duty to say that this action on Birmingham's part is quite unnecessary. 1 I think there is nothing in the situation at Montgomery which requires that Bir- mingham should take this action. l be- leve that your people here should be 1 prudent, but l cannot understand that a 1 discriminating sense o. discretion required Birmingham to quarantine against Mont gomery. And yet l sympathize with Bir- mighams determination to avoid all | risks"