“At a meeting of the
board of health this morning attended by representatives of the local medical
association, board of trade and retail business concerns, it was decided to
lift the ban on stores and poolrooms, that churches be allowed to resume
regular week night services, and street cars be allowed to carry an additional
number of passengers.”
Hamilton Herald. December 16, 1918.
There had been no
question that the influenza epidemic which had started in the fall was a
devastating and deadly matter. It seemed that nothing could be done to stop the
huge number of influenza cases being reported in Hamilton, including the number
of fatalities resulting from most of those cases.
One step was taken in
the belief that the disease was communicated more quickly by large gatherings
of citizens in closed settings was a ban on as many of those kind of gatherings
as possible. Hence the Hamilton Board of Health insisted that all schools be
closed, all churches cease having services, all stores have their hours of
opening severely limited and all places of entertainment including theatres and
pool rooms have their doors locked and patrons kept out.
By mid-December, the
rate of influenza cases, and influenza-related deaths, being reported had begun
to decline.
Hamilton Mayor
Booker, at the board of health meeting on December 16, 1918, began proceedings
by urging a modification on the restrictions being placed on Hamilton retail
industry, notably the reduction of the hours of opening.
As the bulk of sales
for most retail businesses was in the days leading up to Christmas, there had
been considerable pressure on the mayor to see that the restrictions be lifted.
In response to the
mayor, Norman Clark, chairman of the Hamilton Board of Health said, “I do not
want the impression to get out that the board has not given this matter
consideration. The closing of business places has caused us no small amount of
worry, and no person regrets more than I do the necessity of placing such
restrictions on businessmen.”
Next to speak was C.
W. Kilpatrick, publicity agent for the board of health: “ (He) submitted a detailed statement showing the number of
new cases reported daily since the commencement of the epidemic. His report
showed a considerable decrease in the number of new cases and deaths during the
past couple of weeks. For example, the report showed that for the week December
1 to 7, there were 1369 cases reported and 52 deaths, while for the week of
December 8 to 14, only 588 cases and 42 deaths were reported.”1
1 “Ban
Removed From Stores”
Hamilton Herald. December 16, 1918.
One suggestion had
been that the stores still be required to close at 4 p.m., but would be allowed
to reopen in the evening from 7 to 10 o’clock. E. L. Smith, of the G. W.
Robison company, argued against that, claiming it would entail considerable
inconvenience on staff, and the company generally to do.
Thomas Binkley, of
Klein & Binkley, said that the 4 p.m. closing rule had been
counterproductive to the Board of Health’s goal, as his store was overcrowded
as the same number of clients he usually had were forced into coming to his
store in fewer hours, thereby creating the overcrowding conditions that the
board wanted to avoid.
“ ‘ What do you think
of my suggestion that stores reopen from seven until ten?’ asked Mayor Booker .
“ ‘I don’t think much
of it. It would not meet our needs,’ replied Mr. Binley.”1
Several other
representatives of major Hamilton businesses chimed in :
“ ‘The whole
arrangement is unjust,’ declared L. R. Tobey. ‘If present arrangements are
continued, it simply means the murder of our business.’
“ ‘I would suggest
that the ban be lifted and that children below the age of 15 years be kept out
of stores until after Christmas,’ said J. P. Whalen of the Arcade Company.”1
Next to speak was Dr.
Langrill of the City Hospital, who asked whether the regulation on the number
of passengers per street car was being observed, and whether the store owners
were following the appropriate restrictions:
“ ‘Yes,’ replied
Chairman Clarke. ‘From reports and from observations made by health department
inspectors, we have every reason to believe that the street car regulation has
been and is being well observed. There is every indication that the business
men are doing all in their power to
prevent overcrowding in store.’
“ ‘Do you think these
regulations have tended to a decrease in the spread of influenza?’ asked Dr.
Langrill.
“ ‘Positively yes,’
replied Chairman Clarke.
“ ‘I would suggest
that all regulations affecting stores be annulled and that all business places
be allowed to remain open as desired,’ said Dr. Langrill.
“ ‘We are here to
safeguard the interests of all, not the financial interest s of the merchants,’
declared Chairman Clark, hotly.
“ ‘The best way to
make people think is to inconvenience them,’ declared Dr. D. J. Storms. ‘The
closing of stores and other places throughout the city has done more to
educating the public to the need of the hour than anything else. It has put the
fear of God in their hearts, and as a result, when any person realizes that
they have been afflicted with influenza, they immediately go to bed, and bed is
the best cure for the disease. I think, however, that the time has come when
there could be no danger by lifting the ban on stores providing children are
not allowed to visit overcrowded stores till after Christmas.’
“ ‘I would only agree
to such a move on the understanding that the ban could go on again at any
moment that board considers it necessary,’ said Chairman Clark.”
“ ‘I hope the public
will not think this action is taken because of any pressure on the part of the
business men,’ said Dr. Morton.
“ ‘It is being done
because it is considered safe to do so and for no other reason.,” 1
Finally, despite the
Board of Health Chairman’s reluctance, a motion was unanimously passed to lift
the ban on stores, the same to take effect immediately, and that it would be
left to the judgement of business to decide whether their stores had become
overcrowded:
“It was also decided
to allow single truck street cars to carry ten standing passengers and double
truck cars fifteen standing passengers above seating capacity, and that
churches be allowed vto resume regular week night services and that another
meeting beheld later in the week to consider the total lifting of the ban on
churches.
“ ‘I regard the
churches as the least likely places to spread disease,’ said Dr. Glassco.
‘Generally speaking, I do not regard the ban as worth a hoot.’ ”1
Throughout the
meeting there was considerable disagreement among the Hamilton doctors as to
the usefulness that the bans that been taken by the board of health in
combating the spread of influenza:
“ ‘During the
discussion relative to the benefit of closing orders, Dr. Storms remarked that
the death rate in Hamilton had been less than in other places. Dr. Langrill
took objection to this statement, saying that, despite alleged official reports
to the contrary, such was not the case, and that the death rate in Hamilton
under ban restrictions had been greater than in most other cities.’
“ ‘I base my
statement on what has been published in the newspapers,’ said Dr. Storms.
“ ‘Well, all I have
to say is that such reports are all wrong,’ retorted Dr. Langrill.”1
The ban on church
services was lifted at the meeting, but on only on those weekday evening
services, which were generally much less heavily attended than Sunday services.
Although the
following letter from Rev. C. B. Kendrick was not specifically discussed at the
board of health meeting, it was decided to forward it to the provincial health
inspector:
“Dear Sir – I desire
to voice the indignation which I feel regarding what I consider to be the
intolerable situation at present existing in this city from the action of the
local board of health which has closed churches as well as theaters and
schools, and restricted the hours during which business may be transacted in
stores.
“While many others
are complaining, besides ministers of religion, I am writing only from the
standpoint of a clergyman whose church has been closed and its activities
paralyzed for some five weeks.
“I understand the
opinions differ widely among medical men regarding effective means of fighting
influenza. My own doctor tells me that the ban, as imposed here, is absolutely
ineffective, factories, barrooms , stores, etc., being open and street cars
running, while churches, theaters and schools are closed.
“If I am correctly
informed, the local officer of health is not himself in favor of the ban, but
the board, is being governed by the wishes of a committee of doctors who are
responsible to no one. At the present time, the medical officer of health is
ill, the board is not meeting, and the chairman, who is a plumber, has,
according to the statement credited to him in the press, assumed all
responsibilities for the continuance of the ban.
“It is said that
those who compose the board of health are not themselves churchgoers, or at
least they are very occasional attendants at public worship, consequently they
cannot be considered proper judges of whether the house of God should be opened
or closed.
“I consider the
effect of this arbitrary interference with
nthe rights of Christian people deplorable and likely to have
far-reaching results. I fear also that it may be taken as a precedent, and that
for insufficient reasons in the futire similar hardship may be imposed upon us.
I understand that you have no power to revise such decisions, but I suggest
that steps should be taken to change a law which places such power in the hands
of a local board without appeal to a higher authority. I have not met one
person who does not resent the action taken, and comparisons are constantly
made between the crowded stores and the closed churches. Amazement, ridicule
and disgust are freely expressed on all sides, and the press is unanimous in
condemning the board, which is responsible for the existing state of affairs.
“Meanwhile we have no
redress, no matter how unreasonably and vexatiously the law may be interpreted
and administered. A Roman Catholic priest was actually fined in the police
court for saying mass with 30 persons present in his church, and the police
have been instructed to see that clergymen rigidly obey the order of the board.
“It certainly seems
absurd that in Toronto, where conditions have been much the same as in Hamilton,
no churches have been shut. It suggests that the influence of religious people
is greater there than here, where apparently the highest needs of our natures
are placed on a par with recreation and amusement, and are considered of less
value than the business interests of a community whose factories and stores are
open, while its places of worship are closed.
“Yours truly,
C. B. Kenrick.”1
In the same issue of
the Hamilton Herald that contained extensive coverage of the heated Hamilton
Board of Health meeting, there was also an editorial on the matter :
“ Not because of any
pressure from outside, but because rigorous restrictions are no longer necessary,
says the chairman of the board of health, the closure on Hamilton has been
partially removed. Stores and offices may now be kept open after 4 p.m. Week
night services may be resumed in the churches, and no doubt the ban on Sunday
services will be raised on Wednesday, when the board is to meet again.
“The number of persons
who may lawfully hang onto straps in the street cars has been doubled, and
doubtless before the end of the week, the cars may be jammed in the merry old
way during the rush hours.
“We are not much
concerned about the board’s motive for giving these measures of relief –
whether public opinion had anything to do with it or the board really is
convinced that it is less necessary now than it was last week, or the week
before, to fetter the people with restrictions. The fact that there were only a
hundred new cases of influenza reported on Saturday and Sunday appears to be
regarded by the board as cheering evidence that the restrictive policy has
served its purpose and can now be abandoned. If, following the lifting of the
ban, the number of fresh cases continues to diminish daily, the board will be
able to claim with pride that it chose exactly the right psychological moment
for changing its policy and permitting more freedom. Although in many other
towns where no restrictive measures whatever have been adopted, the epidemic
has been suppressed, we are not disposed to grudge our health authorities any
satisfaction which they can derive from self-congratulation. The important
thing is that they have changed their restrictive policy.
“Should there be
another serious recurrence of the epidemic, we suggest that preventive measures
different from those which have been enforced, should be tried.”2
2 “The Ban
Lifted”
Hamilton Herald. December 16, 1918.
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