Evening journal., 1918-10-14
CIVIC RELIEF FOR
The DESTITUTE
State Council Of Defense
to Care for City
Orphans
COST $4,000 WEEKLY
TO FIGHT EPIDEMIC

relax their precautions, which might
result in the disease again increasing
in the city"
This was the consensus Of opinion ex-
pressed by members Of the Whining
ton Council Of Defense, Of the Board Of
Health, Of the Womans Committee. and
Of the United States Public Service Of
ficials, at a meeting called this morn
ing by John ]. RaskOb, chairman OF the
finance committee OF the State Council
Of Defense, who presided. David Smell
lenburg, another member OF the same
committee OF the State Council Of De-
Tense, also attended
Mrs. Charles r. Miller, chairman OF
the Woman's Committee OF the state
Council OF Defense, reported that there
was a great need OF nurses, especially
in New Castle, where the epidemic sit
uation is stu serious. She said that
more trained help was needed 10 guide
the volunteer nurses aids.
DR.. r. E. Ellegood. president OF the
City Board OF Health. said there were
Al empty beds in the Country Club
hospital today, the first time there had
been any empty bed TO amount 10 any
thing since the hospital was opened.
Club hospital in the past twenty-four
hours, the lowest record yet. DR.. Ellie
good said that only seven patients were
admitted yesterday at the New Century
Club, and only one this morning. Many
Of the IS patients now there. he said,
were about ready to leave the hospital.
lie stated further that there had been
ne ambulance calls today TO the Board
OF Health, and they had received few
calls for doctors there.
Charles TOpkis, chairman Of the sub
committee on health Of the Wilmington
Council OF Defense, reported the work
Of that committee in securing the emer-
gency hospitals al the Country Club,
New Century Club, Homeopathic Hospi-
tai wing. Peoples Settlement, and the
New Century Club at New Castle. He
estimated the expenses OF the emer-
gency hospitals roughly at 100000 a
week. The initial cost for equipment
was the'largest item. lie said the clubs
had been told their loss from cancel
led contracts for lectures, and so on,
would be met, and the help at the
Country Club had been engaged for
emergency worK.
expenses would be met by the State
Council OF Defense.
Cheney C. Jones. civilian relief d.
rector Of the Pennsylvsnia-Delaware
Branch OF the Red Cross, came TO VIII
mington to confer and organize local
civilian relief committees. The com
mittee Will arrange for the school
teachers OF the city, who are without
employment during the closing or the
schools, to make a systematic survey
OF the city. They will find all places
where deaths have occurred In the past
10 days. with especial regard to finding
families OF children left destitute by
the death OF father or mother. Quite
a number Of such cases have already
been reported. All the children left
destitute by the epidemic viii be cared
for.
Joseph B. Weaver, manager OF the
Harlan plant, said that the shipyard
patients were still short OF nurses. one
nurse was taken sick and another mad
been called home. He said that he had
learned there were many families in
the shipbuildlng section where the
father was staying at home to take
care Of a sick family. He thought these
able-bodied men ought to be released
TO build ships, and women nurses or
nurses aides sent 10 care for their fam
lilies.
Miss Marie G.. Lockwood said that the
Visiting Nurses Association had also
found the conditions, such as Mr..
Weaver spoke OF. but there was no such
thing procurable as sufficient, adequate
nursing care. She said If the fathers
did not stay home and care for their
families she didn't know what would
happen TO their families.
Mr.. Raskob thanked all the men and
women and children, on behalf OF the
state Council Of Defense. for the noble
work Wilmington people have done
during the epidemic in helping the
sick.
Mayor Lawson also thanked Deputy
Attorney General Green for seeing that
the city was allowed an acting
coroner.
Deputy Attorney General Green spoke
briefly concerning the undertakers' sit
Iuation. He said from reports brought
| 10 the attorney generals office. the
question had come up as to whether
| the city undertakers were discrlminat-
ling against the poor in the order Of
iburials. One undertaken told him that
The had been Obliged to refuse TO take
charge OF sixteen bodies on Saturday
and sunday, and two other undertakers
he had heard, had refused 10 take any
more cases than they had on hand. Mr..
Green received two requests yesterday
from people who had been unable to
secure an undertaken. He had learned
that in the colored cemetery there
were seven embalmed bodies which
had lain above ground for several days.
The attorney generals office was try
ing 10 find out the truth OF the situa-
g f. Wells, the health expert, said
conditions were better down the state.
There were now 2i cases in the Emer-
eency Hospital at New Castle, with two
registered nurses, two aides, and a
llaundress.
Or Z. w. Scott spoke very encou-
rsglngly OF the prospect, saying VII
mincton was far better off than most
nlaces he had visited in his capacity
of public Health Service Director. He
Thought there was little cause for
worry over the future. He could not
hold out any hope OF government
nurses. Eight had been ordered here
Inv surgeon General Blue, he said. but
thew have not arrived. He did not know
why. as kilograms had not been able
IN trace them. He said the community
must depend upon its own resources
for nurses.
Judge David T. Marvel said he thought
the great need OF volunteer nurses now
was TO visit private families In the