The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-12
SAY PRECAUTIONS PREVENT SPREAD
 OF TYPHUS HERE.
Not Necessary to Bar Immi- grants From Typhus-Infest- ed Areas, Humility Wires
 N. Y. Health Chief
By Assoeiated Pres.

Washington, February ii.-Precautions taken and steps contemplated are ne- lieved by federal authorities to be suf- fcient to prevent spread of the Eu- ropean typhus epidemic to the United states, Secretary Tumulty tonight n- formed Dr. Royal $. Copeland, New York city health commissioner
 Secretary Tumulty. in a telegram to pr. Copeland, quoted report on the typhus situation from the Secretary of the Treasury, who declared there was nothing to warrant the steps suggested by the New York health commissioner in a telegram yesterday to the White House-imposition of ban on the adniis- sion of immigrants from typhus-infesteu districts. pr. Copeland's suggestion re- suited from the arrival at the port of New York within the last few days of more than 30 cases of typhus.
 Surgeon General Cumming, in a state ment issued during the day, said that even should typhus set into the Caited States, there is no reason to fear that it's introduction would be followed by epidcmics on the same scale as in Eu- rope"
 OUTBREAKS POSSIBLE
 At the same tme.T the surgeon gem eral added, 1t must be borne in inind that there might be outbreaks in the slum quarters of large cities The dis ease spreads only in insanitary and filthy surroundings, for. so far as is known, the disease is spread only by lice"
 The situation as presented by the arr rival of the typhus cases at New York will be considered at a conference to- morrow between Dr. Cumming and Ew- ing LaPorte, assistant secretary of the treasury in charge of public health. The report of Assistant Surgeon General k. H. Greet, who has been in New York Investigating the conditions, will be con sidered at the conference and it is ex- pected that further measures to sale- guard the United States will be deter mined.
 The report from the treasury depart- ment, quoted by MT Tumulty in his tele- gram, follows.
 TREASURES REPORT
 The public health service has been talk ing necessary steps to prevent the intro- duction of epidemic diseases from abroad. At the request of the treasury de- partment, the Secretary of State re- gently issued instructions to conv~ss~ agents abroad to withhold bills of health from vessels sailing to the United states unless they shall have complied with the quarantine regulations of this govern mont Fourteen medical officers of the DtDllc -Htdll1 Stif3Ct dlc HVN Stot'RiirNt at important points abroad, and addi- tional officers are being selected.
 Proper arrangements are in hand Tor the detention of steerase passengers to prevent possible spread of any epidemic Quarantine activities in New Yorfk are under the Jurisdiction of the state of |rsew York Negotiations are in progress to transfer this work and the quarantine station there to the public health service of the treasury department. Mean while the service has detailed an Of Meanwhile the service has detailed an of ficer to assist state quarantine officials. and will, if necessary, detail additional officers
 'In view of precautions already taken and steps contemplated. 1t is believed that the New York city health commis- sioner's suggestion that complete em- balgo be placed on all immigration IS not warranted at this time"