Evening journal., 1919-05-06
continued from FIrst page.

shameful controversy and the citizens
Of Wilmington, as well as their repre-
sentatlves in Council, are entitled TO
know the facts. / have therefore pre-
pared a statement OF facts, supported
by copies OF documents, absolutely
substantating the statements therein
contained, copy OF which statement IS
enclosed herewith for your informa-
iion and records.
am addressing this open letter 70
you with copies 10 our local press.
The Health Committee Of the state
Council of Defense win be glad 10 meet
In open session the City Council or
anv committee therefrom, 10 furnish
any further information desired Dut
viii not be drawn into any newspaper
controversy which can only lead 10
further confusion either through mis-
representation or lack Of Information
in order 10 make a complete recod'
subsisntiated by documents, he stale-
ment Of facts enclosed Is rather Noiuln-
inous but a summary thereof may De
stated as follows:
The Delaware Council OF Defense was
created by legislative enactment al the
req,,est OF the Federal Government
through the National Council OF Dc
tense. It's Health Committee, Of which
have the honor OF being chairman.
presented 10 City Council a copy OF
d a survey prepared by the Bureau oi
Nunicipai Research OF the City OF New
York. showing that the health ana
sanitation conditions in the city OF
Wilmington were in a most serious
condition as compared with other COM
munities Of the country.
In July. 1918, we requested Councii
10 cooperate with US and the Cliy
Board OF Health in correcting tlese
conditions through passing certain or
dinances as war measures, but COUNCIL
did not do so.
Later. a terrible epidemic visited our
community and on September 2Ith'
1918. I was called 90 appear before
meeting OF the Wilmington City Coun-
eli of Defense. Of which Mayor Lawson
was Chairman, and there told by us
President that the funds Of the Board
NJ Health were entirely inadequate 70
handle the influenza epidemic ana mat
City Council refused to do anything
IN the matter II understand that some
members OF CITY Council hold they dld
mot refuse funds 10 the Board OF
Health. Nevertheless, It is TACT OF
record that the President Of the Board
Of Health made that statement in the
meeting referred 10 and l have no rea-
son 10 doubt the s8me). Mayor Law
son then asked my advice as TO how
10 proceed. I advised him that the
situation was most serious, that there
Vvas no time 10 bubble about expenses
and advised an 90 go ahead and nahdle
the situation through the City Board
of Health. 10 send an bills for expenses
Incurred 20 the Slate Council 81 De
fense. and IL the city persisted IN its
refusal TO pay. then the state Council
OF Defense or some private ciuzens
would meet the bills. Naturally. the
individual members Of the City Board
Of Health and OF the Wilmington
Council of Defense hesliated 10 con
tract expenses in connection with
handling the epidemic and risk becom-
ing personally liable for such eN-
nenses on account OF having no appro-
nristion with which 10 meet them
Hence IL became necessary FOR some
one 10 insure them against such per-
sonol responsibility and this was all
fhat was intended by my remarks
which were so understood. Naturally,
7 would not insult the citizens OF VIII
rnineion or their intelligence through
Offering 10 pay their bills any more
Than I would insult you through oner-
ing 40 nav your personal expenses.
The Wilmingt0n City Council 81 Dc
fense and the Board OF Health worked
uniirineIv in the handling Of the cpl
demic and the expenses were Kept az
"a minimum as IS best illustrated IN
the report OF Mr. Charles Topkis,
which shows that the cost per patient
was s656 per week. All bills were
carefully vouchered and approved by
proper parties, including Mr.. IopSls,
Mr. Wells and the writer. After 'ne
bills were an in and report OF the VIII
mingtOn City Committee Completed
Governor Townsend. as Chairman 81
The state Council Of Defense, called a
meeting for November 25th. 1918, at
which the members OF City Cjuncil
were invited 10 be present AMI al
which YOU and Mr.. Robertson, Clair-
man Of the Finance Committee Of City
Council. appeared.
AT that meeting Governor Townsend
stated that the bills were IN hand and
being held up by the Council or De
tense so that we might mcet win
City Council 20 determine wactier the
bills should be paid by the City OF VIII
mington or by the State Of Delaware
10 was made clear that the Sta.2 tcun-
ell Of Defense had paid no bills Of
other communities in the Siata n con-
nection with the epidemic aud thai II
s,-o,tfd Ia, itfef a. Logical for tnn state
Council to pay those bills for Laurel.
seaford, Bridgeville, Mddlelown' Dover
and other communities as 30 wouid De
10 pay the Wilmington bills.
After that presentation Of me mat
ter, both you and Mr.. Robertson aSreed
that the expenses properly belonged 70
The city OF Wilmington and eoncurred
in the following resolution w1ich was
carefully prepared and passed unanl-
mously in your presence:
Whereas certain bills Incurred by
The Board Of Health for the city OF
Wilmington and a committee appoint
ed by the Mayor TO assist in takine
care OF the recent epidemic Of inhu-
snza, have been presented to the otae
Council Of Defense, and
"Whereas such expenditure Is not
within the jurisdiction OF the State
Council Of Defense, and
Whereas the cost Of handling the
epidemic in other sections OF the state
has not been borne BY the Council "
Defense. but we are advised has been
borne by the respective communities
IN which the expenses were incurred,
Wherefore be 10 resolved that these
bills be transmitted 10 the Mayor and