Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-12-15
LID AGAIN PUT ON
SCHOOL AND MOVIES;
CHURCH BAN PARTIAL
Continued From Page One.J
places for children.

attendance for children. Doubtless,
mistake was made in allowing the
schools to reopen, but with a dimln-
unition of new cases, the holiday sea-
son approaching and with certain re-
strictions the city board of health per-
rnitted the schools, Sunday schools,
churches, movies and pool rooms to
re- open, and an increase of new cases
is the result.
I'm allowing the pool rooms to re
main open it was shown that they
were ventilated, lounging prohibited,
children not allowed to enter and
women will not.
I'm allowing stores and other places
to remain open it is with the cooper
alton of the managers in not allowing
Cver-crowding. and parents are warn
ed that the health board will not as
sumo the responsibility of an enforced
attendance of children at schools.
Responsibility rests lightly upon
the minds of children even when of
sufficient age to appreciate the dan
gers of the present situation, hence
tie warning with reference to the con-
duct of the children.
at would be, however, hardly nee
essary to call the attention of the
people of more mature age to the
dangers of any gathering in private
bones or other places, whether large
or small for purposes social, business
or political. 1t would be manifestly
unfair to restrain the children and at
the same time allow the grown-ups a
greater freedom of activity, thereby
increasing the danger of spreading
disease, than absolutely necessary. 1t
is hardly probable, in view of the man
ifest desire of everyone to prevent the
spread of the disease, which is now
exacting an increasing toll of human
life, that the power of quarantine will
have to be exercised against all par
ticipating in Objectionable gatherings. .
DR.. Bond showed his newest health
reports from the city and county, en-
bracing December II and II, these re-
vealing the following figures: New
cases December lin city, 10; in
county, 27; school children u. New
Cases Dec. FIN city, Is; in county,
81; school children, 8.
Il am p,amb discouraged" was the
way Dr.. Lansing Burrows, president
Of the board of education, received
the news of the ruling of the board Of
health. 81 am sure the foci is not on
the schools There may be few iso-
lated cases of illness among the school
children, but most of the trouble
comes from idle children on the
streets, who have seized this oppor-
tunity as an excuse for remaining out
OF school-which is only child-like-
and in the shops
The trouble, as l understand it, is
not with the children, but among the
adults. There have been only two or
three cases of influenza in the schools,
as / have been informed. Maybe my
information is incorrect or only par
tial / do not know. But | am con-
virced the good of the schools is not
the principal idea. But | am power
less and cannot do anything. | want
to be loyal and subject to authority,
but l am sorely disappointed. l am
sure the authorities are not closing
the places most perilOus, but are max
ing examples of those least perilous. $
Prof. j. E. Mathis, superintendent of
the Americas schools, Saturday au-
thorized the following statement re-
garding the closing order:
Il must confess that / was disap-
pointed when ! was informed this
morning that the health authorities
Rad decided to close the schools We
were not advised positively of any
cases Of influenza originating in the
schools and the only serious case re-
sulting in the death of a high school
girl in all probabilities can be rac-
ed to other sources.
In telephone conversation with
the chairmana of the board of health
DR.. Mayes, just as the meeting was
ccnvening, I expressed the opinion that
the attendance at the schools would
Justify their being left open, as ]
was sure that many cases of absence
were owing to a decentralization in the
the approach of Christmas.
However, the school authorities
must be obedient to the law. But we
cennot refrain from expressing q
feeling that there was marked incon-
sitency in closing the schools and
leaving omen the churches and moo