The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-05
ORDERS TT DONE.
President Tells DIR. Wyman to Take
Charge at New Orleans.

Charge at New Orleans.
Washington, Aug. president Roose-
welt has forwarded to Surgeon General
Wyman of the public health and marine
ernor Blanchard of Louisiana, request
ing the United States to take control
of the yellow fever situation in New
Orleans. The president directed the
surgeon general to take every step in
his power to meet the situation in New
Orleans and to notify him what fur
ther action is advisable and possible for
the federal authority to take.
The telegram in full is as follows:
Have received following telegram
from Governor Blanchard of louisiana:
AT a joint meeting of representatives
of all commercial bodies of the city of
New Orleans and other prominent per-
sons at which were present the mayor
of the city, the state health authorities
and the president of the New Orleans
Parish Medical association the follow
ing resolution was adopted: That this
meeting endorse the proposition to ask
the United States government to take
control of the yellow fever situation in
New Orleans and that the governor of
the state and mayor of the city be re-
quested to take steps to carry this pro-
position into affect. Further, that the
hearty cooperation of the state and
city government and the state and city
health board and the parish medical
society and of the merchants and peo-
pie generally be pledged in such action
as may be taken by the government
L am requested by the mayor of the
city, the president of the state and city
board of health and by a committee of
prominent citizens to transmit the
above resolution to you and request you
to take over on behalf of the federal
government through the proper chan
nels the yellow fever situation at New
Orleans. This I do now urge speedy
action on your part.
N c. BLANCHARD,
Governor of Louisiana"
Please take every step in your power
to meet the situation at New Orleans
and comply with the request of the gov
ernor and the other authorities and no
tlfy me what further action is adViSa BILE
and possible for the federal authorities
to take. Would like full report from
you as to what should BE done. Please
confer with the surgeon generals of the
army and navy if in your judgment this
is wise.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
DIR. Wyman has acknowledged the
presidents telegram and will make a
report to him.
DR.. Wyman will confer with Secretary
Shaw. the surgeons in the marine hospi-
tai service and others as to the best
course to pursue on Governor Blanch-
ard's request and on the conclusions
Dr- Wyman's report to the president
will be based. There are several pre-
cedents of comparatively recent date
which warrant the government in TAX
ing charge of the whole yellow fever
situation notably at Brunswick, Ga,
and the epidemic at the national SOL
diers home at Hampton Va, in both
OF which cases the marine hospital ser
vice practically took charge of aaffairs
until the disease had been stamped out
The officials of the marine hospital ser
vice are anxious to cooperate in every
way with the local authorities in fight
ing the disease. The government has
at its disposal what is known as an cpl
demic fund available however, only in
part for occasion like that at New Or
leans and expenditures from that fund
are usually supplemented by those from
local quarters.
DR.. Wyman declined to discuss what
the probable nature of his report to the
president would be.