The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-12-06
CLERGYMEN WRITE LETTER
TO STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Watertown, Wis, Dec. 4, 10.


DR.. Harper, Madison, Wis.
Dear Sir: Our city is suffering
from severe epidemic. Many are
sick. Not few have died. The pres
ent reports are not encouraging. The
number of cases have increased. The
clergy OF this city deeply sympathize
with the sufferers and are vitality
alive to all measures taken for the
community's relief
We are eager to cooperate with the
health department in every rational
endeavOr to protect the health of
our citizens. So much SO that we un-
protestingly submitted to the closing
of our churches for four Sundays;
practically one week more than either
schools, pool rooms, or motion shows
| were required to close. We readily
submitted then, we will now, provid-
ing we are assured that our sacrifice Is
not made futile by lack of restrictions
in other places where people often
resort.
We beg to remind you that as an al
legged health measure, the churches
and schools are closed practically
| The clergy of this city submit, but we
protest against closing churches and
schools when places of public resort
| of less civic value and greater by
gienic menace operate without re-
straint. Recently Watertown built
new high school. 1t cost much It is
| the last word in ventilation and sani-
tation. This school, like the churches,
has been officially closed, while any
| shack with a saloon license is left
open. Fifty-seven salons, one for ev-
cry kind of pickle, are open seven
days a week. lilly ventilated and
cleaned; wet ring around the GUS
pidOrs from lily directed expectora-
tons; glasses dipped into water and
given to consecutive customers. Sa-
looms are open. Churches and schools
are closed.
| The clergy realize the severity of
| this epidemic. 1t has been our sad
duty to encourage the dying, comfort
the bereaved, perform the last rites
We understand the seriousness of the
epidemic and promise our support in
any sane measure for the control of
the disease But we are convinced that
merely closing the schools and
churches while saloons are left open
is Of no protective value. 1t savOrs of
politics rather than hygiene It is false
in principle, biased in application and
unjust to our best citizens
The clergy here are ready to CO.
operate with the public health de-
partment if the departments acts are
worthy of cooperation. But when you
close the churches and yet leave other
places more menacing to the public
health open, the legislation is not only
futile, but implies a sad ignorance of
the function and value of the church.
We therefore bring to your attention
two unquestioned facts:
Many, in the time of fear and dis
tress are dependent on the church for
consolation. Their morale is i'm
paired if not destroyed because of a
closed church.
The morals of a community are ad-
mittedly nurtured by the churches
But you have closed the churches and
opened the saloons, to the dertiment
of the city's morale and moral life.
The clergy make two requests:
In any future legislation please
make the measure efficient, rational,
thoro from the start The present
measures are evidently tentative and
experimental. They are not worthy of
your high office, sir. We request
therefore that in future the churches
be closed only when the city is eff
ficiently quarantined. III.
Kindly inform us where the clos
ing authority is vested We are at
times informed that all orders come
from you. Sometimes the local health
officer apparently issues the order.
Lately the press has issued orders in
the name of the mayor Kindly inform
us who has the last word in local
matters affecting the city's health?
| We desire the courtesy of an early
answer. We have not received the sat
isfaction from your office which you
previously promised. We therefore
advise you that this letter. or other
similar will be given to the press at
our option. A letter from you, which
was before promised us and failed of
delivery, may obviate this action
We remind you that to close the
schools is to stultify the mental de-
velopment of our future men and wo-
men; close the churches and you
stop the moral and spiritual educa-
ton of the community. But in addition
you not only put us out of business,
humanity speaking, but you prevent us
as priests performing our duty to
Almighty God. Yet ironically you
open the saloon which if closed
would do what hurt?
Yours obeGiently,
Committee of the Clergy.