Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-07
DR.. CUMMlNG THROWS
LIGHT ON SITUATION
Operation Of Federal Service Explain
ed by Officer Stationed at Old Point
All Agree Double system is On-
necessary Resolution Adopted
without Dissenting Vote.

Resolved, That the Newport NEWS
Chamber OF Commerce petition the
governor OF Virginia TO adopt regula-
tons exempting from inspection on
and after June /, 1910, all vessels
coming TO this port which have been
inspected or admitted into this port
by the United States Marine Hospital
and Public Health Service station at
Old Point"
This resolution. which. In effect.
asks the governor to abolish the state
quarantine service at this port, was
adopted by the Chamber of Commerce
In special session last night without
a dissenting vote. The vote was not
taken until after three hours had been
spent in discussing the quarantine
situation. and almost everybody pres
ent had been convinced that the State
quarantine here and at Norfolk is I'M
necessary as long as the efficient sta
ton is maintained at Old Point by the
United States government. The meet
ing was open to the public. and. while
the people did not turn out rs 1t had
been hoped they would. there were
present a number of citizens, includ-
ing several physicians, in addition to
members of the chamber The vot-
ing was confined to members.
President Powell called the body
to order. and announced that the pur-
pose OF the meeting was TO pass upon
a resolution similar to the one adopt
ed by the Norfolk Board of Trade,
which asked the governor and the
State board of quarantine commits
sioners to exempt from State inspec-
ton vessels admitted or inspected by
the federal quarantine station at Old
Point.
DR.. Cummings Statement.
The president announced that DIR.
s3iueh s. Cumming. who Is the Unit
ed States marine hospital and public
health service officer on the Cape
Charles. or Old Point station. was
present. and asked the doctor to make
a statement to the chamber concern
Ing the federal quarantine service
maintsined for Hampton Roads.
DIR. Cumming spoke at some length
and interestingly, throwing light up
on various points in connection with
this matter that had been puzziing
to members of the chamber. He de-
scribed the expensive and elaborate
equipment provided az Old Point and
az Fisherman's Island for the federal
quarantine. Speaking of the federal
regulation permitting vessels from
Southern domestic ports not infested
with quarantirs bic disease 10 pass in
a. Hampton Roads without Inspection.
he said that the officer at Old Point
always is kept in touch with the con-
dit'ons at the Southern ports and tnat
IN the event of an outbreak of a quar-
artinable disesse at one of these
ports he would be notified by wire
Immediately. Then ships arriving
from such a por; would be subjected
10 the close quarantine regulations.
Judgment Used.
Referring 10 the close federal quar-
antine against South American ports
enforced south of Baltimore during
certain seasons. Or. Cumming said
that the government took into con-
s:deration the health conditions pre-
vaiiing In the South American ports
Last yesr there was no close ausran-
tine. and the indications are that
there will be none this year. The
doctor told OF the necessity for pre-
cautions AGAINST bubonic plague. and
cecribed the killing OF rsts and mos