Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-20
MIR. ELLISON SAYS DIR. FRANTZ
PAID HIM FOR DEATHS RECORD;
DIR. ORR DEFENDS HIS CHARGES

during the infantile paralysis scare,
but Arley b. Magee, counsel for Or.
f. Richmond Steel, a member Of the
state Board, objected TO this line OF
testimony on tho ground that it was
hoarsay. He was sustained by Chair
man Wharton OF the committee,
A long wrangle followed relative 10
Or. Martins testimony but he was not
allowed to say what other people told
him. Or. Martin. did claim that the
State Board had charged an excessive
amount for diphtheria anti-toxin. lie
was questioned at length by
Mr.. Mageo on this point
Says Charge Was Fair.
DR.. William p. Orr. Of Lewes.
member of the State Board Of Health,
upon being called. made n lengthy
reply to a statement made by DR.. Hi
ram r. Burton, also of Lewes, at the
hearing a week ago last night In ex-
aiming Dr. Orr, Mr.. Hartman in
formed him that DR.. Burton had
stated that for handling a scarlet fever
epidemic in 1909, at Rehoboth, he (Dr
Orr had charged the town $3.50,
whereas he did not consider the ser
vice rendered worth more than $50
or $40.
Or. Orr said he acted at the request
Of the town commissioners, and that
he charged $3.50, but that the service
was worth even more than that
amount Dr. Orr had with him what
he explained was a daily record Of
his work in connection with the cpl
demic. This record, he said. he made
each day. at the time, in the event
of the matter being afterward Ques-
toned, and in il he noted all of his
visits, what he did and every detail
Of the work
Reading from his record, he said
that on August z. 1909, he was called
to Rehoboth by the mayor or one OF
the town commissioners, he did NOT
recall which, who told him that there
WAS a scarlet fever epidemic and thar
they wanted the State Board OF
Health to take charge Of it. In re-
sponse TO the call" he explained
visited Rehoboth and met the town
told them II was the
duty of the local Board of Health to
handle the matter. found that the
local board comprised Hon. II. X.
Burton, IN Thomas and Charles r..
Green. ] had them called together
and organized, after which ] instruct
ed them as TO how TO proceed. lie
said he left the town that day with the
exnectation that the local board would
take charge Of the matter.
Asked to Take Charge.
ON August o. he said, he again visited
Rehoboth when tho commissioners IN
formed him nothing had been accom-
plished bv &c local board, and the re-
auest was made that the State board
take charge Of the matter. lie was tod
that tho houses where the disease eX-
listed had not been placnrdod and thHt
children thercfrom we're running around
Before he agreed 60 take charge OF the
matter on behalf Of the State Board oil
Health. he said he told the commission
crs il would be necessary for them 70
adopt resolutions. which they did. prom
isin, their moral and financial support
This being done, he said. he took charg'
of the matter and called tho local ply
sicians together He found that DIR
Nfcsalck had co cases. DR. Burton ., an,
DR.. Beebe. l. That evening. in company
with DR.. Frantz, secretary of the STATE
board. he called q meeting Of the town
commissioners. at which there was q
long discussion of the subject, and at
which he was directed TO take charge
of the quarantine. This he said he did
appoint mg an officer and giving him a
list of houses to placard.
Next. Dr. Orr gave a list OF daily
visits and told OF his activities each
dav. which continued for 30 days. lie
pointed out that while no did not do tho
actual work Of disnfectnig the houses
where cases Of scarlet fever existed, yet
he gave directions as TO how the work
should be done, and how the mail should
be disinfected before being sent out
practically having supervision over this
work.
lie stated that on his various trips &c
Rchohoth he generally went 10 that town
at noon. remaining all the afternoon
and sometimes staying until 10 OF II
| o'clock at night. on several occasions
remaining all night. In reply 10 Mr.
/ Hartman nc said he went every day 70
30 days Ilc said ne had kept a recon,
of all Of his expenses, such rs automo
bile hire. stamps, etc, but he had los
| the record.
Mr.. Hartman pointed out that hi
charge for his services was virtually 81
day, and asked him If he considerc
that reasonable, pointing out that Di
Burton had declared tho charge to be eN
ccssive.
ayes, sir. / consider 10 very reason
able,' replied Dr. On "I wouldn't do (
over again for the same money"
Can you state why you conside
SO a visit reasonable" asked MI
Hartman.
DR.. Orr explained that the charg
was based on the value OF his profes
I