The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-22
BOARD IGNORES
C|TY'S EXPERT AND
PUBLIC SAFETY
Won't Protect Water
Supply Until Its Own
Agent Speaks.
HOTLY RESENTS
LEWIS ADVICE
Red Tape and Department Jeal-
ousy Block Measure to Make,
Sure That Typhoid Isn't
Caused by Water-Coun-
Gil May Take Hand
in Row.

Physicians last night expressed
their utter inability to understand
why the Administrative Board should
sullenly ignore the Health Department
Of the city and call upon a man not
connected with the department to find
out whether or not the large number
of typhoid fever cases in Richmond
could be traced to the water supply.
One OF the leading practitioners sug-
gested that the matter was one which
should enlist the attention of Mayor.
Ainslie. who might cut through the
maze of red tape and department jeal-
ousies and do what the city's health
expert suggests.
While he was unwilling to speak. 1t
is known that the Mayor was in con-
ference yesterday with Chief Health
Officer Levy; that he went to the bot
tom, and that he may take hold of the
situation tomorrow in an effort to
bring harmony when the vital ques-
ton of human life is at stake.
Board Loses Its Temper.
II was very evident yesterday that
the Administrative Board was mad be-
cause The Times Dispatch printed the
record. This newspaper did SO, not to
alarm the public, but simply to en-
phasize the point that while DR.. Levy
on Tuesday had recommended that a
hypochlorite plant be mstalled-at a
cost of s300-the superintendent of the
Water Department had not done so.
his excuse being that he could not
move until ordered by the board.
Dir. Levy did not charge that the
water Is impure. He did say that the
prevalence of typhoiG justified every
possible precautionary measure. The
installation OF Il hyrochlorite plant
means that II there are any typhoid
germs In the Settling :iasin they will
be instantly killed, without detrtment
to the water.
Called on Levy Before.
In this proceeding. however, the Adj
ministrative Board stood on IT'S hind
legs. Ignored the recommends ton of
the Chief Health Officer and tho figures
on file In his Office which are nut thers
by reputable physicians OF Richmond,
and directed the City Chemist. who is
not connected with the Health De-
partment. to go out and bring in Il
report. The City Chemist has nothing
whatever to do with ana lying water
samples, Indeed, his office is not even
equ'rl'cd for that purpose. lust few
months ago. when the Administrative
Board wanted expert advice on the
framing of a smoke ordinance. 1T call
ed in DR.. Levy; now, when there is 4
demand to get the truth about the
water supply. the board contemptuous-
l. ignores Dr. Levy and directs the City
Chemist to do the work.
Arrest Negroes III Water.
On several occasions recently, The
secured from Superintendent Davis. de-
MED the sensational reports that
| spread all over Richmond to the effect
that dead bodies were dragged from
the Settling Basin when it was clean
ed in May. Hundreds of people would
not accept that denial. Only yesterday
ten negroes We're arrested for bathing
in James River above the South Rich
! mond intake pipes. Now. at a nominal
| expense, the Health Department is
anxious for the city to make sure that
| people cannot contract typhoid from
the water supply. but the board is un-
| willing to do so until it's own employe
can suhstantiate the official record of
| the Health Department. Moreover.
the State Health Department has in
| dorsed the request of DR.. Levy.
Members of the City Council said
last night that this friction simply
proves what they had said heretofore
that the creation of the Administrative
Board would not expedite the city's
business: that 1t would not end depart
ment jealousies anG that the public
is beginning to realize that tho Ad-
ministrative Board is fifth wheel
Continued On Second Page.)