The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-09-01
State Quarantine Station.

1 AL GSSCA4V III Si4C 0AllC0 O0f1iS9 i4SeSS
ury Department, accompanied by DR.
I =. Ell. White of the Public Health an6
Marine Hospital Service, recently Wis
tied the State Quarantine Station,
located on the left bank OF the Missis.
sippi river ninety miles below New
Orleans, for the purpose Of appfaisine
the property in anticipation Of its pur-
chase by the general government from
the state, in the event that Gov. Blanch-
ard concludes TO sell in accordance
with the authority given him by the
general assembly during the closing
hours of the late biennial session.
It is not expected that there will be
any great haste in this matter, as it is
more than probable that the secretary
of the treasury will respect the wishes
and coDsiderthe welfare OF the CONNER
clal and maritime interests involved
notably the great fruit importers
whose traffic cuts such a large figure
Ia the business of New Orleans and the
other gulf ports-at least to the extent
Of not swapping horses In midstream.
No change in the management and
control Of the quarantine station is
likely to take place before the begin
ming of the new year, nor should any
be attempted earlier than that time.
The Louisiana State Board of Health
and its president, DR.. G. Fl. Irion, by
their open policy and straightforward
business methods have completely won
the confidence, not only OF the par
ishes, but of the surrounding states,
as evidenced by the published letters
of DIR. Sanders, chief health officer of
Alabama, and the expressed opinions
OF DR.. Tabor Of Texas and DIR. Hunter
of Mississippi, health officers of their
respective states. 1t is often advisable
to let well enough alone.
The magnifcently equipped quaran-
tine station, which did not cost the
state of Louisiana a dollar, having
been paid for By the fees collected
from shipping, is worth at a conserva-
tive estimate over 800, 900. The gen.
eral government is not likely to offer
nearly that sum for the property, par
ticularly when all the legal require
ments Of a supervising surveillance
can be filled by establishing a
mere observation station with a
marine inspector to wise, as it were,
the work OF the state authorities, ac-
cepting it it. good, rejecting if defect
i've, refusing pratique and remanding
vessels for further sanitation if deemed
necessary. TITS could best be done
by establishing such an officer at the
state quarantine, where he could daily
see and be familiar with the operation
of the station. while the actual work
could be still carried out under the di,
reetfon of the state board.
Those who pay the most for gu aran-
tine inspectlon-the fruit companies,
for instance-feel that in the last an
alysis it is cheaper for them to stand
their heavy pro rata of cost in order
to have the quarantine authorities
within easy reach of their main Offices,
where rulings pro OF. con can be
speedily obtained in emergencies,
without mourning the delays Incidental
to the manipulation Of governmental
red tape, such as wiring to Washing
ton and waiting for replies while valu-
able time is being lost and costly car
goes imperilled.
The whole question is business and
not political one. With an incompe-
tent, weak or corrupt board, it is bet
ter for quarantine regulation and con-
troll to be entirely il the hands of
the federal government. With a live,
active, competent and honest state
BOARD, it is much better for the state
authorities to be in a position to act,
albeit under the supervision OF the
federal authorities, which will preclude
the possibility OF local interests jeop-
ardizing the health of the city and
state.
We trust the governor will make
haste very slowly in this matter, par
ticularly as the state quarantine serv-
ice is not merely a station near the
mouth Of the Mississippi. as it will be
1t the federal government takes charge,
but is a complete and harmonious
system, comprising five stations,
namely: the Mississippi river station,
5he Atchafalaya station, the Calcasieu
the Rigolets station and the
Lake Borgne station. II the federal
government takes over the main sta
ion, it should take them all. The
FEDERAL law does not make provision
or more than four stations on the gulf
coast, however, hence the state will be
compelled to operate the minor
stations in Louisiana and be taxed
1irectly for their support if ouly The
main one be coded to the general gov
So. we repeat, let the governor make
taste slowly in deciding the best
course to pursue with regard to this |
Important subject.
We Guess Sam Robertson.
There seems to be about equal con-
idenee among the friends OF the rival |
candidates for the Democratic con-
sressional nomination in this district
L II