New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-21
SEE WAR MENACE
TO U. S. HEALTH
Taft and Others Fear
Effect on Immigra-
ton Here.
FEDERAL CONTROL OF
QUARANTINE URGED
Academy of Medicine adopts
Resolutions Favoring Trans
fer of Port Station.

Resolutions passed by the New York
Academy Of Medicine and Endorsed by
hundreds of organizations throughout
the country calling for the transfer OF
the quarantine station at the port OF
New York to the Federal government
will be forwarded 10 Governor Whitman
this week.
Ex-President William Howard Taft
came down from New Haven last night
TO add his Endorsement to the plan.
Speaking at the Academy Building. i
West Forty-third Street, he said that
circumstances arising from the pres
cnt war called for prompt action IN
placing New York's quarantine under
the United States Public Health Ser
vice.
"Are we to face Europe as q nation
or as q divided system of health regu-
lation when thousands try to escape
the terrible conditions which will pre-
vail after this war is over" he asked.
New York is the greatest immigration
centre. but people that arrive IN New
York do not all stay there. The whole
country has an interest that quarar-
tine service be administered by a gov
eminent which the whole country con-
trolls"
MIR. Taft said that he had no criti-
cism TO make of the present admins
tration of quarantine under New York
States government "The truth of the
matter is. this is not New York
matter" he said.
To substantiate his argument that
Federal health authorities were quail
fed TO deal with New Yorks health
problems. the eX-President gave rent
niscences Of his observation Of Uncle
Sans doctors as they conquered dis
ease in the Philippines and at PAN
anna. He was in unusually good au-
NOR. punctuating his remarks with
funny stories and ilbes at the medical
profession.
Henry James. ir.. son Of the novelist,
recently returned from an official tour
of inspection through the European
countries now at war. spoke on Pres
ent Health Conditions in Europe and
Their Relation TO This Country in the
Coming Months" lie told of disease
epidemics in Serbia. which had spread
across the border to Russian. Austrian
and German troops on the eastern bat
tie line.
Dr. William {. Woodward. health
officer Of the District Of Columbia.
talked on "Thc Menace Of inadequate
Quarantine" He emphasized the TACT
that the national government could
meet demands Of an emergency more
efficiently than any Of the state gov
ernmentS.
I'VE have been advocating this trans
fer Tor a quarter of century" said
DR.. Walter 3. James, president Of the
academy, in his Introductory remarks.
On the platform with the speakers
were DR.. S. s Goldwater, Commission
er Of Health; Dr.. Charles L. Dana,
chairman of the public health commit
tee of the academy. which called the
meeting; James K. Sheffield. president
Of The Republican Club, which has in
dorscd the resolutions; Ot'o 7. Ban
nerd and Dr. Abraham Jacob.
Members Of the academy said after
the meeting that they hoped Governor
Whitman would make the quarantine
transfer resolutions the subject Of a
special message TO the Legislature. They
agreed with Mr.. Taft that S2,00000O
from the Federal Treasury might be
welcome to the Empire State Just at
this time.