The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-03
More Drastic Regulations To
Stamp Out Influenza.
Limit Crowds in Stores, Street
CarS-CIOSe Offices.
MORE Than 100 CASES TODAY
Rigid Prosecution OF Persons
Violating the New Rules.
Reports From Over the State
Swamp Crumbine Office.

Miss Topeka had just as we'll make
up her mind to do her Christmas shop
ping early-early in the day as we'll
as early in the season. And the SOON
er she Xealizes that little looking for
Santa Claus will be permitted until
the influenza epidemic is stamped out
the easier it will be for her to accom-
modate herself to the conditions tha.
now exist.
Following a conference attended by
DR.. J. ]. Sippy, of the state board of
health; Lieut.. Charles D. Knolton,
of the United States public health SER
vice; City Commissioner w. L. Porter;
City Health Officer H. L. Clark and
City Attorney George P. Hayden. it
was decided this morning that more
drastic regulations will be placed in
effect here and an announcement of
can be formulated by Doctor Clark
and Commissioner Porter.
1t is practically certain that the new
regulations will call for the limiting
of crowds in stores and other places to
so many persons for a certain amount
of square space, probably 25 square
feet. that street cars will be forced to
take out at least two windows and to
haul only as many people as can be
closing hours for stores will remain in
force and that redoubled efforts will
be made to make the quarantine of
patients more effective.
Regulate Santa F'e Offices.
Also, there is a probability that the
stores will be told to divide their en-
ployes into groups and have them be-
gin work and leave at different per-
iods; that the Santa Fe offices will
be instructed to open and close in
such way that they will not crowd
the streets and street cars: and that
other regulations more severe than
any ever put in force in the city will
be ordered.
Public funerals of every kind are to
be forbidden and Commissioner
Porter stated this afternoon that If the
whole city does not cooperate with
the health authorities in their efforts
to stamp out the epidemic every actIv-
ity in the city will be placed under the
ban and will remain under it until the
situation is again in hand.
z, rter's threat of this drastic meas
ure was followed by an assertion from
City Attorney Hayden that every legal
power possessed by the city will be
used to prosecute those who fail to
comply with the regulations, and that
Ills OlllCe Will tAtIl eNtlN ClIoil "
have the offenders punished to the
extent of the law.
More Than 100 New Cases.
One hundred and four new cases
had been reported today at 1 o'clock,
and there was no indication that the
total report for the day would show
any marked abatement over that of
Monday, when 100 cases were re-
ported.
Employees of the health department
were kept busy today putting up the
new quarantine cards, watching to see
that the regulations were not violated
and issuing permits to the principal
wage earners who are allowed to leave
homes where there are patients pro-
vided they get authority TO do so and
do not go into the sick rooms
Pr ceding the conference of city and
state health officials. n delegation of
business men consisting of f. Ii
Crosby. W. w. Whitney, Ivan Dibble
and 4. p. McKowen called upon Doc
i tor Clark and Commissioner Porter to
go over the situation as it affects the
affairs of the business houses of the
city.
Business Men Call.
These business men assured the city
officials that they are willing to CO.
operate with them in every way pos
sible and that they will take every
necessary step in the campaign to wipe
! out the epidemic. However they said
they felt the burden OF preventing
! crowds should not be placed upor
them entirely, that stricter individual
quarantines should be enforced 3no
( that persons exposed to the disease
! should be kept under closer watch.
1t was pointed out by the bushes:
men that street car congestlonS con
tinue despite the to 430 order ant
: it was urged that other steps be taker
to improve conditions on the cars. Nc
objection was made to the part OF the
closing order that forbids the store
, to open until Q o'clock in the morning
but it was pointed out that fully q
per cent of the days business is usual
iy done between the hours of 4:3O ano
in the evening, and the attention ol
the city authorities also was called tt
the fact that the stores have pur
chased large stocks of goods that are
only salable just before Christmas ant
that cannot be held over until mex
year without big loss if prices gt
down as they are expected to do within
the next year.
I'VE are not placing the dollar above
public safety L. H. Crosby said, ''ant
we want it understood that We arr
willing to cooperate in every way W.
can-personally, l feel about the mat
ter as l did about the war. and thinl
that nothing should be left undone
no matter what hardships may hav'
to be endured. But the business mel
want the city officials to know tn
situation that confronts them. w
know they want to be fair and to han
die the situation in a way that viii
cause the least possible loss and in
convenience. and we feel that the.
should he informed of our problem
so that they can do this"
Continued on Pnge Three)