New-York tribune., 1921-02-25
TypIntns Fight
Blocked as u. S.
Refuses T llrlds
Conferees Cut Quarantine
Item of $500, 600 From
Appropriation Because
Estimate Is Not Given
House Causes Action
Cumming Calls All State
Health Commissioners
to Discuss the Situation

The 100000 item in the deficiency
appropriation bill for quarantine ia
cilities at the Port of New York, which
the Senate provided for in part be-
cause of the typhus situation, was
stricken out yesterday following CO
iections from the House conferred on
the ground that there were DO esti-
mates for the appropriation. The in
dications are that there will be no
allowance for this purpose at this ses-
sion of Congress.
Dr.. Leland f. Cofer, port health
officer in charge Of quarantine, said
such action, in view of the crowded
conditions at this port and the danger
of disease getting into the country,
would prove serious drawback to the
efforts OF the health authorities now
engaged in combating the typhus
menace.
Il cannot overemphasize the i'm
portance Of the request for this $780,
600, with which we had hoped sddi-
tional facilities could be provided to
care for the thousands of immigrants
we are obliged to detain at Hoffman
Island" said Dr. Cofer at will be a
appropriation, that we have been led
to believe would be passed promptly
Cumming Calls Conference
Agreement upon some general plan
of combating the typhus fever menace
is expected to result from a meeting
of state health commissioners called
by DR.. Hugh S. Cumming, surgeon
general of the United States Health
Service, tomorrow in Washington.
Dr.,Royal S. Copeland, city health COM
missioner, has received a telegram from
the surgeon general inviting him to the
conference.
The telegram read as follows: 81
am calling conference of state health
officers to consider typhus situation,
at Bureau of Public Health Service,
10 a. m. Saturday, February 26. Invite
your attendance"
DR., Copeland said he did not know
the definite purpose OF the meeting
and that since he is not state health
officer he was going down to listen.
de was hopeful, he said, that some ac-
ton would be taken which would
prompt the government to provide the
facilities needed at this and other ports
Tor the care of vermin- infested immi-
grants. He will leave for WASHINGTON
this evening in company with DR.. Ralnh
n. Greene Florida health commissioners
and DR.. Lee l.. Arms, director Of the
Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories of
the state of Florida, who will attend
the conference.
Consults DIR. Copeland
:, Drs. Greene and Arms came to New
York City yesterday to consult Dr.
Copeland and DR.. Leland Cofer. port
health officer at Quarantine, in regard
TO methods of protecting the country
from Iyphus. They evinced concern
over the possibility of typhus menace
at Key west, where passengers from,
Cuba and other southern areas are
beng landed, and it is their desire to
ascertain what steps have been taken
Locally to guard against the disease.
In connection with the visit of the
fl0rlda officials DR., Copeland said two
ounonlc plague infected rats had been
caught on ships docking at Key West
within the last several days from the
West Indies. The Florida visitors re-
ported the capture of a total of thirtv
two rodents at Key West docks. all in
1ected with the bu5onic plague.
Asked if this information ssswere
alarming, DR.. Copeland said he feared
the presence of bubonic plague in
fected rat more than typhus.
During the twenty-four hours ended
az noon yesterday DR.. Copeland said a
fotal OF 686 immigrants were examined
at the Grand Central Station and at
Houth Ferry and that twenty-one of