Evening journal., 1919-02-13
FLU EPIDEMIC
BILLS NOT YET
PAID BY COUNCIL
CONTINUED From Page Two1


CURED. and st this meeting a resoiu-
tion, copy OF which Is attached 10 this
report, was offered and unanimously
carried. while Messrs Robertson and
Lyon were present and they stated that
the resolution met with their approval
"The bills were later presented to the
City Council OF Wilmington. and were
returned by said Council TO the State
Council Of Defense, at Dover, without
being paid"
The stenographic report OF the con-
ference Of President Lyon and Council
man Robertson with Governor Town
send and members Of the Council OF
Defense Finance Committee Is as fol-
lows:
Governor Townsend read a letter re-
ceived by him from Mayor Lawson, set
ting forth the reason why the City
Council refused 10 provide funds TO pay
the expenses incurred by the Board Of
Health in lighting the recent epidemic
Of Spanish influenza in the city OF VIII
mlngton.
Copy Of letter:
City OF Wilmington, Delaware,
"Onlce Of the Mayor,
November 4. 1918.
Hon. John @. Townsend, Jr.. Governor
State OF Delaware, Dover. Delaware.
"Sir: At the request Of Mr.. Charles
Topkls, chairman OF the health commit
tee Of the Wilmington Council OF De-
fense, l am writing 10 give you, in sub
stance, the reasons advanced by the
City Council Of Wilmington. for refus-
ing to advance funds or pay bills OF
the Wilmington Board Of Health, in
connection with. the recent epidemic Of
influenza
"On or about the twenty-sixth day
Of September last when II was appar-
ent that the influenza was becoming an
epidemic and that extraordinary means
must be used 10 light It, the Whining
ton Board OF Health went before the
committee Of the whole OF the City
Council, and requested financial assis-
tance for this purpose The request for
financial assistance for this purpose
was refused to the Board Of Health and
In substance the reasons for this re-
fusal were as follows:
81 That when the budget was made
up, IN May, 1918, it could not be fore
seen that any epidemic was likely TO
occur and, therefore, no provision was
made for same.
. -. Because OF no provision having
been made for an epidemic, no funds
were available in the hands Of the City
Council 10 turn over 10 the Board Of
Health for this purpose.
3. The opinion was expressed that
this situation was contemplated when
the act creating the State Council Of
Defense was passed, because one OF the !
vital purposes urged upon the passage /
OF the act creating the State Council Of
Defense, was that some definite legal
body, with ample financial means, |
would be In existence 10 handle any and
every extraordinary occasion which |
might arise during the duration OF the
war. Il was stated by Mr.. James w.
Robertson. chairman Of the finance
committee Of City Council. that he was
present in Dover when the act Great |
in- the State Council OF Defense was
under discussion and upon passage, and
that in his opinion, II was Thoroughly |
and generally understood that one Of
the PURPOSES Of the act was 10 take
care Of any extraordinary occasion 1
which might arise, such as the recent |
one growing out Of the influenza cpl
demic. This being so. he, Mr.. Robert
son, was Of the opinion that the matter
Of financing the extraordinary outlay re-
quired 10 fight the epidemic, should
be met by the funds at the command Of
the State Council OF Defense and that
the city Of Wilmington should not be
called upon TO pay for the same.
"The foregoing are in substances the
reasons advanced for the refusal Of the
CITY Council 10 give financial assistance
10 the city Board Of Health in lighting
the recent epidemic.
yours respectfully,
JOHN w. LAWSON,
Chairman Wilmington Council Of De-
sense"
Reply from Governor:
November a, 1918
Hon. John w. Lawson, Mayor, City OF
Wilmington, Wilmington, Delaware.
"Nfy Dear Mayor: ] am I'm receipt OF
your letter OF November 4, sent to- me
at the request OF Mr.. Charles Topkis,
chairman OF health committee Of the
Wilmington Council Of Defense, relative
10 the expenditures incident 10 the re-
cent epidemic Of influenza l am trans
mittting same 10 the health committee
OF the State Council Of Defense, for
their consideration and recommends
tion.
Very truly yours,
GOVERNOR"
GOVERNOR TOWNSEND-These bills
have come TO the Council OF Defense in
numbers and they are being held up by
the Council Of Defense so that we might
meet here tonight and determine
whether or not the bills should be paid
by the city or the State Council Of De-
fense. II is the feeling Of some OF the
members and myself that these bills
should be met by the city, inasmuch as
the epidemic was all over the State and
we think It would be Just as logical for
Laurel or Seaford or Brldgeville or Mid
dletOwn. or any other town IN the State,
20. pass their bills over TO the Defense
Council, as for the city Of Wilmington.
We had hope, Of course, TO have the
Mayor present with us, but we have
the president Of the Council and the
chairman OF the finance committee
with us.
A MEMBER-The object in calling
this meeting Is simply TO meet the
members OF the Council. in connection
with this matter9
GOVERNOR TOWNSEND-The MEM
bers OF the Council and the Mayor.
A lfEMBER-What expense is being