The San Francisco call., 1908-03-06
URGE BERKELEY
TO'WAR ON RATS
Scientific Men of University
Point Out the Danger of
Inactivity
Recommend Raising of Large
Sum to Garry on Work
of Sanitation

BERKELEY. March SIN an ex-
hsuxtive report issued by the Sigma X
society Of the University Of California
today the scientific men OF the univer-
sity, headed by Professor jacques
Loeb, gave their unqualified indorse-
rnent Of the work Of the government
health suthorities in San Francisco in
stamping out the plague, declared that
Berkeley was not awake TO the sani-
tary situation by it's antipathy toward
Il and that the present conditions in
the bay cities warranted urgent meas
ures 10 prevent the plague from spread
ing. The people Of San Francisco and
Oakland were commended for their
work OF sanitation
The men Of the Sigma Xi society have
thoroughly investigated the acts OF Drs.
Blue. ". c. Rucker and John D. Long
OF the federal health service STAFF and
their approval OF the work is expressed
IL an unstinted manner in the report.
After stating that two deaths from
plague have occurred in Berkeley the
report says;
This condition does not in The least justify
continued inactivity on the part Of Berkeley res
idents. The plague Is close 10 Us, infected rats
having been found in the neighborhOod Of Fifty
first street. Oakland, and It IL against reason TO
believe that Berkeley viii escape. Rats do not
recognize city OF county lines. and there is no
good ground for the belief that Berkeley is free
from plague infected rats.
Berkeley has done practically nothing 10 pro-
tect herself and only short time remsins before
the Tea season begins. Your committee is con
WINGED that unless an organized fight to exter-
inmate the rats and clean up the city is begun
az once and effectively carried on that Berkeley
VII lie In great danger Of visitation from the
plague
The following recommendation are
made:
l. That an emergency fund should be provided
by the citizens Of Berkeley large enough TO begin
and carry on. "a accordance with the plan sug
g-sted By DIT. Long, a vigorous eight against
rats ana existing inssnitsry conditions.
2 That since 81 500 o. this money is avail
able tie work should be started al once with =
small force Of men. additional men being added
fast as sufficient money can be secured.
3. That this money BE- expended by the citi-
zens' committee under the direction OF Dr. Long.
who has offered his aid.
& That the citizens of Berkeley hold. at the
earliest possible date, a special election TO au-
tnorlze special tax Of at least sac. 600 for the
carrying on OF this campaign.
5. That no part Of the money raised by this
special tax should be used 10 making permanent
Improvements such the incinersting plant.
g. That the United States government be re-
euesteo 70 detail an officer OF the public health
work in Berkeley
The report deals with a complete ac-
count OF the infection of man by the
hea OF an infected rat The scientists
declared there can be no doubt of
the relation between the infection OF
the human being by the flea OF the
plague stricken rodent The number of
cases OF infection in rats caught is
shown, however, to be increasing in the
three principal bay cities, according to
quotations from the report from the
United States public health and marine
hospital service reports