Evening journal., 1919-05-06

acknowledge the bills as properly be-
longing to them. and that TO date, City
Council has not given decision on this
point
Many OF The peaple % whom this
money is due can IN afford further de-
lay and my suggestion Is that City
| Council take hold Of this matter IN
business-like way. handle II In man
fashion and give some decision in the
matter.
Very truly yours,
j. J. RAskoB.
Statement of Facts.
statement OF facts concerning rela-
! lions OF the state Council OF Defense
with the city Council Of Wilmington,
particularly with reference 10 expenses
| incurred in the handling or the inhu-
enza epidemic IN Wilmington in the
/ fal OF 1918:
The Delaware Council OF Defense was
created by the Legislature Of the state
/ Of Delaware. The state Council created
/ health committee 10 cooperate with
/ the health program Of the National
Council Of Defense at Washington.
survey OF the health conditions In VIII
mington and rural Delaware was made
by the Bureau OF Municipal Research
Of New York City, which showed that
dhe health and sanitation conditions IN
the city OF Wilmington were in most
serious condition as compared Win
other communities In the country. a
copy OF this report was sent 10 the
Wilmington Board Of Health. and on
July 3 1918, 70 was concluded at a meet
| ing OF the health committee OF the
| state Council OF Defense that the City
Council be asked 20 make such changes
in IFS ordinances as are necessary TO
give the city Board OF Health It's legitl-
mate control OF health administration
in the city, with the understanding that
the state Council Of Defense will pro-
vide the necessary heath expert for ef-
fcctive administration and expenditures
which temporarily cannot be provided
by the city in making this arrange
ment"
The health, committee met with City
Council on Jolly 81, 1918, in response
to request for such meeting as contain
ed in my letter Of July %, 1918 lcopy
attached) calling attention TO existing
conditions. stating It was the desire OF
the Council OF Defense 10 do everything
possible 10 facilitate City Council and
the city Board Of Health in the work
OF correcting the many troubles that
existed and calling attention TO The
necessary for City Council to do In
order 10 gain complete and intelligent
cooperation on the part OF all In hand
ling this matter. At this meeting the
members OF the health committee Of
the state Council OF Defence were dis
tnclly Of the impression that Council
was in sympathy with the plan OF CO.
operation suggested and left the meet
ing with the conviction that Council
would act. Days passed, however, and
after repeated telephone calls 20 the
president Of Council I finally wrote
him under date OF August i3, 1918, as
follows:
George T. Lyon.
President City Council.
Wilmington Delaware.
Dear Mr.. Lyon
would appreciate lt very much in
deed II City Council would act upon
the informal request which the health
commimttee Of the State Council Of
Defense recently made OF them in the
matter Of passing such ordinances at
least temporarily as will throw the
whole responsibility for health condi-
tions OF the city Of Wilmington on the
local Board Of Health, thus enabling
the slate Council Of Defense TO work
with the Board Of Health in an en-
deavor 10 quickly improve the bad con-
dition now existing. It Is Imperative
that this relief be given quickly II we
are to accomplish anything in line with
the desires and requests OF the Ma
tional Council Of Defense in the matter
OF their health propaganda.
We certainly hope that we secure as
fun cooperation from the City Council
as we have from the state officials and
anything that can be done to facilitate
this will be profitable 10 all concerned
and much appreciated by our commit
tee. Sincerely yours.
STATE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE.
JOHN J. RASKOB.'
Chairman Health Committee.
No reply TO this letter was ever re-
celyed nor did Council, TO our knowl-
edge, ever take a single step In the
direction Of accomplishing those things
which the State Council Of Defense felt
so keenly about
An epidemic Of influenza broke out
in this country and hundpeds OF the
people In our community were stricken.
on September p. 1915, the Wilmington
Council Of Defense held meeting and
sent for me. Al that meeting the
president OF the Wilmington Board Of
Health stated that the funds Of the
Board Of Health were entirely made
quate TO handle the situation and that
City Council refused 10 do anything in
the matter, stating that in their opin-
ion II was war measure and should
be handled by the Council Of Defense.
The chairman then told me the reasons
for calling the meeting and asked my
advice as 10 how to proceed. ] advised
him That the situation was most seri-
ous and there was no time 90 qulbble
about expenses and advised him to so
ahead and handle the situation through
the city Board Of Health, and TO send
all bills for expenses incurred to the
state Council OF Defense. as I consid-
cred this a war messure. ana that II
City Council refused to pay the bills !
they would be paid BY the State Coun- |
ell Of Defense or by private individuals |
Naturally. the individual members Of |
the city Bosrd Of Health were unwill- |
ing to contract expenses in Connection |
with handling the epidemic and risk be- !
coming personally liable for those ex-
penses on account Of having no appro-
pristion from Council with which 70 |
meet them. Hence, It became necessary
for some one 10 insure them against /
any such personal responsibility which |
I did In the manner Just stated lsee |
copy OF excerpt from minutes OF VIII |
- -
held September %. 1918, attached here |
10. Z. { Tazcxyell secretorv ~ said /