New-York tribune., 1918-10-09
Copeland Orders Smaller
Theatres to Exclude
Children Under IL
New Office Hours
Halt Congestion
Commissioner Declines to
Interfere With Functions
Held in Open Air

With sudden jump in the number
o. influenza cases yesterday, Health.
Commiss sionor Copeland announced i
Aey, step in his programme TO stop fur
.ner spread OF the epidemic. He has
ordered all of the smaller motion pict-
ere houses Of the city to exclude every
child under twelve ycars OF age, pro
vjdo lor continuous ventilation in the
,neatres from o'clock in the morning
Until the hour OF the first performance
and the closing Of the theatres to pa
irons a. soon as the seating capacity
has been sold.
The dsy brought forth total of
sos new influenza cases and 2S2 new
cases OF pneumonia. decided advance
ovc- the day before. This increased
,,eure was discounted in advance BY the
health authorities, who decided that
TUESDAYS reports would contain many
cases which rightfully should have ap-
ncsrcd in Mondays figures.
The first days trial of the revised
oren;nr and closing hours for all busi-
rcss activities Of the city in an effort
10 prevent congestion on transportation
lines is said to have attained the re-
suits desired. The subway companies
ronort reduction of the usual late
afternoon crowding.
Company Not Prepared
One source Of trouble was found in
the afternoon at the Brooklyn Bridge,
where the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
many had not adequately prepared for
the rush as early as $50. Long lines
of people were compelled to wait. The
Public Service Commission promptly
notified the company to amend its
schedule.
Commissioner Copeland says the
business men Of the city are almost
unanimously observing the new scned-
ule for opening and closing stores and
offices Only a very few cases have
been reported in which men have re
fused to comply. The Police Depart
ment will place reserves on duty to
watch places suspected OF evaclng the
order.
The hospital clearing house" estab-
l;shed at the Health Departments
headquarters was under way yesterday,
and the first report showed 470 empty
beds in private hospitals in the city.
The greatest difficulty now faced is the
shortage of nurses. The appeal sent
out Monday brought twentys!x ad-
ditional nurses but at least l9o more
are needed right away. Dr.. Copeland
bases his appeal for nurses on patrl-
otic grounds, saying he feels certain
that many women with nursing eN-
perience will volunteer when 1t IS
brought home to them that the neeo
is really serious. The city hospitals
also lack domestic help.
Says People Need Poisc
"This is the time for the people OF
New York to exercise pcise,' Commis-
sioner Copeland said Everywhere
else in the world where this epidemic
vanced by leaps and bounds. If things
had existed here as elsewhere. New
York would have had 100000 cases
of the disease within the last ten
days As it is we have had about
1900 cases
The seriousness Of the situation is
made very evident by the high nor
tallty Of the pneumonia that attacks
sufferers from Influenza But there is
no occasion Tor panic. and If the peo-
pie will insist on getting rest, plenty
Of sunlight and fresh air. with good
food and sufficient heat to keep warm,
they are protecting themselves and
their fellowcitizens from Infection"
Jersey City nas taken drastic step~,
including the closing of theatresv sa-
looms block Dances Sunday paraden,
lodge meetings, pool parlorE. daraee
nails soda fountains, picni. grounds
and boxing exhibitions. The closing
o. schools and churches is unde- coz
Sldsration
boston Yesterday reported T,41S new
cases Of Influenza. All trails by jury
IN Boston have been suspended for 4
week