The San Francisco call., 1908-10-11
CITIZENS PROTEST
AGAINST EDITORIAL
Publication of an Unwarranted
Criticism of City in Golfers
Calls Indignation Meeting
Charges Made That Bubonic
Plague Is Raging in San
Francisco Bay Cities


The publication IN the current issue
Of Golfers Weekly of an unwarranted
editorial concerning the plague .situa-
tion in san Francisco and the bay cities
led 10 the hurried calling of an indigna-
ton meeting yesterday afternoon in the
Office of Mayor Taylor, and steps were
taken TO secure a retraction, which may
marimize the injury that is bound to
result from the statements made in the
editorial
Under the captain Danger" Golfers
leading editorial in the issue Of October
10 charges that the plague is still
spreading dangerously in the bay dis
trict and that efforts are being made to
conceal the facts. The editorial is in the
nature OF a warning and contains a
threat OF quarantine directed at the en-
tire state Of California.
The absolute lack Of any basis for
such an editorial only serves TO height
en- the harm that may be done this city
and the entire state. The matter re-
ceived the attention of the authorities
within few hours after the first copies
Of the magazine reached this city, and
the meeting in Mayor Taylors ONCE
was the result Those present were
Mayor Taylor. Mayor Mott of Oakland,
Dr. Rupert Blue of the public health
and marine hospital service, DR.. Ophuls
Of the local board of health, W. NJ.
Bunker OF the citizens health commit
tee. President c. c. Moore Of the cham
Der Of commerce and DR.. Clarence Ed
words OF the California promotion COM
mittee.
TEXT OF EDITORIAL
The editorial which was severely
criticised, appears as follows in Golfers
Weekly:
DANGER
The United States is threatened by
the bubonic plague. This statement,
abrupt and alarming, is one which
must be made. Introduced about 10
years ago. the plague was confined TO
one district Of San Francisco until the
earthquake Infected rats were then
scattered through the city and human
cases developed in other districts. The
san tranciscans began campaign.
which has continued and is satisfac-
tory Isolated cases occurred also IN
other cities about the bay. The total
number OF cases has much increased,
and whites are now attacked, whereas
before the fire il was almost entirely
Chinese and japanese. very large
percentage die One most serious as
pect Of this situation moreover, has
developed in the last two years. Plague
has been discovered in the ground
squirrels about the bay. Now every
effort is being made in the infected
district 10 conceal the facts. This is
folly, filled with peril. Mistaken bust
ness calculations led Oakland, which
should be one Of the most active cities
10 combat the plague. to refuse appro-
priations for that purpose. The dan
ger is one which can be controlled II
IL is recognized The serious menace
IS caused by the short sighted notion
that q business advantage IS to be
gained by concealment- # the infected
districts VIII not 90 their work prop
erly. sooner or later the whole United
States must pay. and pay a price too
terrible TO consider Lies will not helm.
Only sound and thorough sanitary
fornia can check the danger now If
she fails. she may later be quarantined
by her sister states.
TWO TELEGRAMS SENT
As 4 result Of the discussion at the
meeting two kilograms were sent TO
Golfers Weekly and these will be fol-
lowed by letters today setting forth
more fully the facts and pointing out
the errors IN the editorial Following
the meeting. c. c. Moore, speaking for
ali who had been present, said:
The editorial, II not corrected. IS
bound 10 do an irreparable injury TO the
cities OF San francisco and Oakland. if
not 10 the entire state. 1t is regret
table that such q misstatement Of facts
should have occurred, and we will DO
everything in our power TO see that
the matter is set right at once. A
good deal OF Indignation was expressed
at the meeting. and we were all one
when II came TO asking for an imme-
date explanation and retraction."
The kilograms sent to Golfers Week
y were as follows:
Editor Golfers. 41e West Thirteenth
street, New York City. N Y
Your editorial October 10 regarding
bubonlc plague in California is wholly
unwarranted by the facts. The people
OF san Francisco and bay cities have
fully realized their responsibility and
nave never sought TO conceal any fact
Your statement Of increase in number
or cases is entirely wrong. The last
human case in San Francisco occurred
January 30, the last infected rat was
found July 2s. In past eight months
but three cases have occurred in entire
bay section The measures taken now
are purely precautionary.
RUPERT BLUE
P A Surgeon l. :. Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service.
EDWARD p TAYLOR.
Mayor Of san Francisco
FRANK K MOTT.
Mayor of Oakland.
Editor Golfers. zIs West Thirteenth
street New York City N Y
Leading editorial in Golfers October
10 regarding plague San Francisco in
correct Last case human plague here
January 90. Last infected rat found
July zs, although about $500 exam-
ineo weekly See Surgeon General
Wyman, Washington. for confirmation.
See our letter following this
CITIZENS HEALTH COMMITTEE OF