The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-29

The ministers and merchants Of To-
peka, figuratively speaking. are on the
necks of the city health department..
and if some change does not relieve
the present influenza situation the at
mosphere on the third floor of the city
hall is liable to be kept at a warm
temperature for the next few days.
The recent closing order issued by DR..
H. L. Clark following a fresh outbreak
of the influenza is the cause.
This morning Commissioner w. L.
Porter and Doctor Clark were buster
than bees when the white clover is in
bloom. Not only did they have seven
ty-two new influenza cases to contend
with, but a delegation of preachers
and a delegation of business men
called upon them to complain. the To-
peka Federation OF Churches sent in a
COMPLAINT and Commissioner Porter's
wife was reported ill for the second
time with the disease.
The principal complaint of the min
listers was their Interpretation of the
new closing order issued wednesday
by Doctor Clark in which they read
that churches were classed as nom
chorus to such classification and
they want the world to hear their OBJ
jections and their protestations.
They were told that the order did
not mean TO brand the churches as
non n-essential--that the essential
phrase was meant to apply to other
meetings.
THE delegation was very reason
able" Porter said but insisted that
the theaters should be closed IL the
churches are. We told them the
| theaters also would be forced to close
| next week II conditions were such as
| to demand it, but that the order will
| remain in force as it was issued for
| the present and that there will be no
church services in Topeka Sunday"
| Among the ministers who called
upon the health department in per-
son were DIR. S. S. Esteya DR.. c. NJ.
Sheldon and r. A. Schulz.
| F'cdcration's Complaint.
Another church communication was
| sent to Doctor Clark by the Topeka
Federation of Churches. protesting
/ against calling the churches non-es-
: sential and urging that the closing
order be enforced SO as not TO male
ties and flesh out of another. The
communication read as follows:
I'VE notice your recent closing order
issued on account of the influenza epi-
demie includss churches among the non nom
any opinion in regard TO the needs of this
general order, but we positively object ia
church thrn s If
not only stands for the best religious and
! moral conditions. but no other agency il
:! more enthusiastic or more united for the
best health and sanitary conditions In this
city, and In all cities. We beg to say
further. sir. since you have put the matter
on a business basis, that a large number
of the churches in this Federation are
operating under budget Of 500 to $30(
each per week. With all services and all ac-
tivities cut off. this will be u heavy loss
IF the assembling of church people Il
n menace to the public health, no one
would respond more willingly and readily
1 than the churches to your order. IL
however, 1t is a matter of closing mp non.
DISCRIMINATORY
The communication was signed b.
d. o. Coe, president; w. NJ. Jackson,
vice-president; Jesse Shaw, vice-presi.
dent; A. D. Gray, secretary; T. +. Gar
yer, chairman comfy committee;
Robert Gordon, chairman civic com.
mittee; J. p. Slaughter. chairman
evangelism, and Geo. A. Guild, chair
man finance committee. q,
Business Men Conn flain.
The business men have a good many
faults to find with the new closing or.
(Continued Pnge Twn.1