The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-27
SHIPS RELIEVED
FR0MQUARANT|NE
GovernorAbolis bolishesState
Examination at New
port News.
NORFOLK LIKELY
TO FOLLOW SUIT
Unless Cities Are on Equal
Footing, Norfolk Will Lose
shipping-United States
Has Adequate Quarantine
Regulation al Fort
Monroe.

1ahihS the long disputed matter OF
we doupie quarantine at the Virginia
ports In his own hands, Governor VIII
liam Hodges Mann yesterday issued an
order abolishing the State quarantine
at Newport News. The order is effec.
tive on November
This action is taken primarily for
the purpose of building up Virginia
coast cities as favorite ports for til.
Shipping OF the world. 1t has been
recognized for some time that the
double examination at the hands OF
Federal and State authorities which
vessels have been obliged to undergo
has initiated against Norfolk and New
port News, and much sentiment nag
been aroused for its discontinuance.
However. the matter has not been
finally disposed of While the law
gives the Governor control over State
quarantine at the port of Newport
News. he has no jurisdiction in refer
ence to Norfolk. The situation there
Is vested In TIE hands Of the Elizabeth
River Quarantine Commission.
3onrd Must Act.
In view of the abolition of State In
spection at Newport News. there IN
little doubt that that city would
speedily become the favorite stopping
place for trading vessels. which would
The action or the Governor. therefore,
merely puts the Elizabeth River hoare
on notice that unless II abolished
State inspection for Norfolk by No.
vember its city will lose much OF
its trade.
Under the circumstances, IL is be
lieyed that action will be prompt in
the direction of the abandonment OF
the quarantine.
The resignation of DIR. Powhatan
Schenck as quarantine officer at Nor
folk was received yesterday morning
by the Governor Or. Schenk rctircs
because of his appointment as city
health officer. The receipt of his
wfthdraway was the Immediate cause
OF action on the part of the Governor.
The latter accepted the resignation
but Will not appoint successor until
November i. II by that time the au-
thorities have not abolished the Nor
folk quarantine, the Governor VIII ap-
point an officer and the city can pro-
ceed to take Its medicine. with New
port News as probable favor!te with
ship owners.
Caused Much Loss.
For some time the useiessness ana
absurdity OF the double quarantine has
been advanced as the reason for the
withdrawal of the State from the field.
Much delay and considerable fnanciaiI
loss has been the result to shippers.
who have come to look with much dis
favor upon the Virginia coast cities.
The Federal government maintains n
costly and elaborate quarantine sta
t!on off Old Point. at which all vessels
which pass into Hampton Roads are ca
amined Perhaps an hour later the
vessel, with Its clean bill of health.
1rt liz
There a wait quite likely ensues
while the State quarantine officer is
being called to the scene. He makes
what is usually cursory examination.
collects his fee and departs. In some
Instances the delay means a consider
able loss to the owners OF the vessel
and to the shippers Of the cargo.
Other cities, for the most part, have
not had this situation to contend WIN
In very few Instances, 1t is stated,
perhaps in none at all. do States in
sist upon an examination just AFTER
the Federal government has completed
one.
Officer Is Willing.
A few months ago delegation OF
citizens of Newport News called on
the Governor and explained the s,tua-
tion to him. He took the matter un-
der advisement. DR.. w. +. Greasy, the
Newport News quarantine officer, has
all along taken the position that he
will bow to whatever is for the best
interests of his city and of the stare.
~ am a citizne of Newport News
first" he has said "and quarantineI
officer afterward.''
There has also been much sentimenti
at Norfolk for an abolition of the State
quarantine, and it now looks as though
the commissioners must, willy nilly. |
come across and accept the certificates
of the national government
The order issued by the Governor is |
as follows:
"ouarantine District of the Port o,
Newport News:
"All vessels, of every class, arriving
at the port OF Newport News, whe,
ther from foreign or a domestic port. |
which have been inspected, or admitted
into port, by the United States Marine
Hospital and Public Health Service
Station at Fortress Monroe, shall be
exempt from inspection by the quaran-
tine officer of this State.
"This order to be in force on and
after the first day of November, 1910. I
"(Signed)
"WM. HODGES MANN,
III Governor.
September 26. 1910.
+ . q