New Britain herald., 1924-09-06
LIBERTY LEAGUER
 WAVES U. s. FLAG
Another Says He Will Die Before
 Children Are YacCinated
HEALTH BOARD IN SESSION
Inoculation Order still stands-Ncw Home of Country Club opened- Boy Burglars Arrested--21 Deaths Here in August.

Dramatically fiourishing silk American flag from his pocket, Rev C. H, Riemer of Durham, one of the leaders of the Connecticut Medical Liberty league, brought the 250 peo- pie assembled at the health board meeting last night in the city court room to their feet with cheers. Way ing the flag, the clergyman continued an impassioned flow Of eloquence on the rights of citizens and declared a positive stand against compulsory vaccine treatment.
 The flag incident occurred as a climax of meeting at which floods of oratory broke loose and appeals were made to Health Officer J. l. Woisard to rescind the order for compulsory vaccination in the schools.
 Adjournment of the board was taken without action on the matter at 10:45 o'clock after a session of two hours and 45 minutes of hectic questioning and appealing. It was one of the red letter occasions in the annals of the city.
 Woisard Cbeered.
 The meeting was called to order by Mayor John F. Wade, who aI nounced that adjournment must be taken for several minutes, pending the arrival of Health Officer Woi- sard, who was awaiting the arriva of state health physician. The ar rival of Dr. Woisard and Dr. Willard F. knowlton of the state bureau ' preventable diseases was the sigma for prolonged cheering, which the two medical authorities enjoyed i'm. mensely.
 Everybody "Het Up." There was no question that every. body at the meeting was "het up' over something - the anti-vaccina. ton adherents firmly vowing theil CTS looking solemnly on as if await. ing some hidden sword from over. head to suddenly smite them. Mayor Wade appeared ip the role of tht peacemaker and he was ably assist. ed by Dr. Knowlton. The presence oi the Hartford physician had bene. flcial influence, if prior meetings ol 1 the board are considered.
 Dr., KnowltOn Explains. Dr. knowlton was called upon b! | Mayor Wade and he gave thorougl explanation of vaccination ant smallpox. He touched upon the epi denies in this state during the las year and attributed the only mean' of controlling the disease to vacci nation treatment. Thereupon he be- came target for cross- examination Law Questions Doctor.
 Former Councilman Harry N. Law and Dr, Knowlton held an interest. ing discussion at the beginning oi the meeting, when the visiting phy. sician, greatly to the satisfaction oi the fathers and mothers assembled courteously answered questions rel. alive to vaccination and smallpox.
 ''Is it true, doctor, that sanitary conditions in China and Poland are not as rigid as over here?" asked Mr. Law, when pr. Knowlton had compared the two countries with others of Europe, where vaccination had been encouraged.
 There is no relation between san. itary conditions and smallpox" de- clared the doctor, and immediately chorus of jeers and cheers burst forth.
 Continuing, MT. Law spoke ot health work by the government ir the Panama Canal zone and other places and then threw a bombshell by asking why the use of the Pe- quabuck river as a sewer had not been looked after as carefully as the much feared epidemic of smallpox This was a hard nut for the city officials present to consider as the question has been an unsurmount- able barrier for years, due to the fact that both the East Bristol and Forestville sections are too low for inclusion in the present sewage dis posal system unless an expensive pumping station is erected or sep arate plant be installed.
 Begs Rescindment
 Sidney F. Risden, father of two children and an opponent of the compulsory vaccination, nearly broke into tears as he appealed to Dr. Woisard that the order be re- scinded. For Gods sake, doctor, as a father, to father, I beg of you to rescind that order" he said. If it Is necessary to vaccinate why Is it necessary 10 vaccinate only school children? As the father of two children, take the stand now and say that I will die before 1 all