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| Jacob Gould Schurman. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, February 24, 1903.
CAUSE OF EPIDEMIC.
Authoritative Statement From President Schurman.
NUMBER OF CASES AND DEATHS
Laid to Contamination of Six Mile Creek by a Gang of Laborers Last Fall—Disease Confined to Portions of City Using That Water—Propose Remedies.
Ithaca, N. Y., Feb. 24.—In reply to a request for an authoritative statement concerning the origin of the typhoid fever epidemic, as it has affected Cornell university, its cause, the number of cases and deaths, and the steps that have been taken to remedy existing conditions at the university, President Jacob G. Schurman gave out a statement in which he says:
"The cause of the epidemic of typhoid is generally believed to be contamination of the water of Six Mile creek which, along with Buttermilk creek, furnishes the water supply of the city of Ithaca, by a band of laborers who were engaged in the fall and early winter in the construction of a dam in that creek for the Ithaca Water company.
"This belief is confirmed by an investigation which on behalf of Cornell university has been made by Dr. V. A. Moore, our bacteriologist, and Dr. B. M. Chamot, our toxicologist, and which they have just completed.
"They say a study of the various ways by which typhoid bacilli are disseminated will show that in our present epidemic we should look to but two of the channels of dissemination namely, milk and water, for source of infection.
"A careful inquiry into distribution of routes does not show, or give reason to suspect that milk has been a source of infection. This leaves us with but one possible source for such a wide spread infection, namely drinking water.
Distribution of Cases.
"The distribution of the cases of typhoid fever shows that the disease has not existed in (first) families using water from Fall creek exclusively which is the source of the water supply of Cornell university; (second) in families using for drinking purposes spring or other water brought to the city; (third) among those who have used well water exclusively for drinking purposes; and (fourth) among those who have used for several months past boiled city water only for drinking purposes.
"Thus Cornell Heights, the campus portions of the flats not having city water, and West Hill are exempt. Fever cases have been restricted, with possibly rare exceptions, to those using city water for drinking purposes without first properly filtering or boiling.
"We are informed by the Water Works company that there are three distinct zones in the city, one receiving water from Six Mile creek exclusively, one from Buttermilk creek exclusively, and one mixed water of the two streams. We find a large number of cases on East Hill where the water supply is from Six Mile creek. There are, however, some cases of disease in the area alleged to be supplied by Buttermilk creek water. Many of these cases are people who spent more or less of their time in other parts of the city and could easily have become infected with water there.
"Drs. Moore and Chamot, however, assert that this hypothesis of water contamination by laborers at the dam is not conclusive until it can be demonstrated that at least one of the laborers had suffered from typhoid fever and as all of the laborers have returned to their homes in and about New York city, this link in the chain of inference cannot be supplied.
No Cases at Sage College.
"The water supply of the university comes from Fall creek, which is a different source from the water supply of the city. No case of typhoid fever is known to have occurred among those who used exclusively the water supply of the university campus. No person at Sage college, in which more than 200 women students board and lodge and which is supplied by this water, has had typhoid fever and no case of typhoid has occurred in the families of professors living on the campus. Typhoid fever has developed among those students only who live in other portions of the city which are supplied by the Ithaca Water company with water from the Six Mile creek and from Buttermilk creek.
"Cornel university differs from most of the other large institutions of learning in having no dormitory system or dining hall for its men and they live in private houses situated over all parts of the city. There are this year about 2,700 students of Cornell university resident in Ithaca. Of these at least one-third have gone to their respective homes since the outbreak of the fever epidemic, the university authorities having advised all students who had the least illness or were apprehensive of illness to leave the university, and many having been imperatively summoned by their parents.
"Of those that remain in the university 78 are on the sick list at Ithaca. Of this number 57 are confined in the university infirmary and its annexes and 21 are ill either at their own rooms or in private hospitals in the city.
"The majority of these patients in the university infirmary and its annexes have typhoid fever, mostly mild, though some are serious and a few critical. Of the 21 outside the infirmary seven are recognized as typhoid patients, of which number one or two are serious.
"The 57 sick students in the university infirmary and its annexes are attended by 50 trained or skilled nurses while the student patients outside the infirmary are cared for by their friends. The condition of all student patients, whether in the infirmary or not, is reported by the president of the university in daily letters to their parents.
"Thus far there have been 11 deaths among students in Ithaca due to the present epidemic, as follows:
O. G. Schumard, grad., Bethany, Mo.
Miss C. E. Spencer, soph., Jasper, N. Y.
G. A. Wessman, junior, New York city.
H. C. Francis, freshman, Philadelphia, Pa.
E. Prime, freshman, Huntington, N. Y.
H. A. Schoenborn, freshman, Hackensack, N. J.
C. J. Schlenker, freshman, Batavia, N. Y.
O. W. Kohls, freshman, Rochester, N. Y.
C. J. Vinton, junior, Canal Dover, O.
W. E. Maher, freshman, Brewster, N. Y.
F. E. Schwartz, senior, Marlboro, N. Y.
President Schurman's statement then repeats what the trustees have done in the way of providing duly inspected pure water for the students remaining in Ithaca and the pledge signed by 204 boarding house keepers to furnish only pure water, and closes with these words:
"To insure pure water for the city and university not later than Sept. 1 this year, the board of trustees have authorized the expenditure of $150,000 for the installation of a complete and adequate filtration plant."
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| George F. Hoar. |
SENATOR HOAR ON NEGROES.
Would Welcome them as Readily as Did the President.
Chicago, Feb. 24.—At a Washington birthday banquet in the Union league club last night Senator Hoar said:
"My friend, Secretary Root, is wrong, most emphatically wrong, when he says the negro has not advanced. The negro has advanced and negroes like Booker T. Washington are as welcome to my table as at the White House."
Bishop Thomas W. Gailer of Tennessee, replied to Senator Hoar, saying: "The negroes who have advanced are only half negroes. The full blooded black in the South today stands where he stood when given his freedom."
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| Guest editorials. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The Department of Commerce.
The recent enormous expansion of American production and trade has compelled the creation of new department of commerce as an addition to the cabinet bureaus, and under wise management, it cannot fail to contribute immensely to the further development of the business interests of the country. The attitude of the department towards business, if properly determined, will not be critical, inquisitorial and censorious, but friendly and encouraging, promoting by every proper and possible means the welfare of the American people engaged in trade or interested in transportation.
Our internal commerce for 1902 according to the Chicago Inter-Ocean amounted to $20,000,000,000, a sum too vast for human comprehension. This tremendous traffic will come more or less directly into touch with the new department.
From what is known of Secretary Cortelyou it is believed that he has both the disposition and the ability to administer well his affairs of this department. He has demonstrated his capacity for organization and shown a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of details. He is courteous, patient and considerate to a marked degree. His judgment is rapid in action and firm in quality, and there is every reason to believe that the great official trust committed to his care will be successfully as well as conscientiously handled.
THE CANAL APPROPRIATION.
What are the Merits and Demerits of the Proposed Canal Enlargement.
To the Editor of The Standard:
Sir—The most objectionable public expenditure which now invites the organized opposition of the people of this state is that for the proposed enlargement of the canals at the expense of the taxpayers. To enable those whose money it is proposed to take by taxation for the purposes of this scheme, to understand it in all its bearings, it is desirable to ascertain who are advocating it and why they do so; what are its merits and defects as an engineering proposition; what are its economical, business and financial advantages and disadvantages; what are its ethical merits and demerits; and, lastly, when we have reached a logical conclusion on these points, what ought to be done about it?
First, then, who are its advocates, and what are their motives? It will be readily perceived that contractors as a class favor it, because it will afford fat jobs and big profits. The same is true of civil engineers as a class and of laborers who follow public works as a business or vocation. Most Professional politicians must be included among its supporters, because from this source they expect to derive large campaign funds and much valuable patronage. To this fact may be attributed the utterances of the platforms of both the Republican and Democratic parties in this state last fall. They expect to succeed because there is no organized opposition to the scheme and no source from which they anticipate any intelligent discussion of its demerits such as would rouse the people, who are, for the most part, absorbed in their own private affairs and usually give little attention to those of the public. In this respect they ought to be and must be disappointed and ultimately defeated.
As an Engineering Proposition.
Let us consider this canal proposition as an engineering proposition, because if it is physically impracticable for any reason, that should end the discussion. It is a known and generally admitted fact that practically all the sources of the supply of water for operating the present canals have been used and exhausted, and the state has resorted to measures to reforestize the Adirondack mountain region to conserve the water supply for the use of the canals of the state. Notwithstanding the decrease in canal traffic, the supply of water for the canals at their present dimensions and respective capacities frequently proves inadequate to float boats adapted to use thereon. If the canals should be enlarged to the dimensions proposed, the quantity of water required to operate them would be increased in the ratio of the squares of their respective prisms. To illustrate roughly, the present canal boat draws not more than 7 feet of water, the square of which is 49. When the canal is enlarged so as to float a boat drawing 12 feet, the square of which is 144, nearly three times as much water will be required for the operation of the enlarged canal as at present. No one has informed us where this increased supply of water is obtainable, and we are convinced no one ever will. To enlarge the canals without water to fill them is to render them less serviceable than they are at present, except for the purpose of fattening a canal ring, which is the one infamous purpose this scheme for their enlargement is sure to serve, and about the only one which, in the nature of things, can be realized.
The Canal Obsolete.
As a means of transportation from an economic and financial point of view, the canals of this state are obsolete, and would remain so after they were enlarged, even if they could be supplied with water sufficient for their operation on the plan proposed. The passing of the Chenango, Chemung and Genesee Valley canals and others of lesser note in this state, and the falling off of traffic on the canals which have remained in use, though freed from tolls and perpetuated as a fruitful source of political corruption and exploitation for spoils by political heelers and contractors, proves that canals of varying levels, requiring numerous locks for their operation are obsolete in this state.
They are closed by ice for fully five months in the year. The expense of maintenance, of operation and conducting transportation is proportionately greater than upon well equipped and well managed railroads, with which they cannot successfully compete.
There has been a revolution in business methods since the canals were constructed, which has tended strongly to render them obsolete. Formerly the merchant went to New York or some other market twice each year and bought a stock of goods designed to supply his trade for six months. The interest account, insurance, taxes and other expenses incident to his purchase, with his profit, had to be added to the selling price of these goods. Now the merchant carries a small stock, replenished every week, has a line of samples, orders from the manufacturer or jobber by wire for immediate delivery by express or fast freight, and within a week thereafter his customer has the goods, the merchant his profit and the manufacturer his pay for them. It is manifest that a merchant doing business in the antiquated method cannot compete with one pursuing the modern method, by which the capital invested, the interest account and charges for insurance, taxes and other incidentals are nearly eliminated, but it is equally manifest that the canals cannot be depended upon for the expeditious transportation necessary to the modern method, which more than any other one thing makes the canals irretrievably obsolete and renders the expenditure of money for their enlargement foolish and criminal.
As a Business Proposition.
As a business proposition, why should taxpayers of the state of New York maintain a free canal to float the products of their competitors in business in other states to market, when the necessary result must be to diminish the prices they receive for their own competing products? The [pretence] that it is necessary to continue and enlarge the canals in order to check by competition the tendency of railroads to charge excessively for transportation is mainly, if not entirely, humbug. Instead of the canals setting the pace on freight rates, the railroads have done it, and have practically driven the canals out of business in the race—which shows the impotency of the canals as a regulator of freight rates. The wages of the boatmen upon the canals with no tolls to pay is starvation compared with the earnings of those engaged in operating railroads, so impossible is it for the canals to compete with railroads as carriers.
There is no one thing that has so continually and uniformly diminished as rates of transportation in the United States. In this respect we are the surprise and despair of all Europe. But this result is not attributable to the competition of canals, for the same results have followed where canals did not enter into competition with railroads. It has resulted from better road beds, stronger structures, improved and more efficient equipment of the railroads. The same train crew now moves more than four times as much freight as formerly and with greater speed and safety.
Absolutely Unjust.
It is absolutely unjust to compel the taxpayers of New York state to construct a free canal to float the products of their competitors from other states to market. These competitors have the advantage of cheaper transportation, though situate at a greater distance from market, and are thereby enabled to undersell residents of this state and reduce their incomes and profits. Our candle is thus being burned at both ends by making us build a canal and bear the losses consequent upon the competition which that canal has made possible.
Will Not Defeat Itself.
This nefarious scheme will not defeat itself. There are organized gangs of plunderers engaged in advocating it—some politicians, some contractors and some others. There should be formed at once in every town organizations for opposing this scheme of plunder and they should partake of a political character, because both the Republican and the Democratic parties are committed to favoring the scheme; and therefore another organization must be formed outside the lines of both these parties. The stake to be played for is over a hundred millions and the time necessary to organize to defeat the enormous graft is all too short to waste a moment which ought to be employed in preparing for the contest.
Yours truly, Irving H. Palmer.
Feb, 24, 1903.
[Mr. Palmer was a registered Democrat, legal counsel for the Erie & Central New York Railroad, and former mayor of Cortland, N. Y.—CC ed.]
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| First National Bank at 36 Main Street, Cortland, N. Y. |
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
Celebrates its Fortieth Birthday—Founded Feb. 24, 1863.
The First National bank of Cortland is forty years old today and celebrates that event by handing to its friends an attractive little booklet of twenty pages in which appear several illustrations of the bank, exterior and interior, the portraits of president and cashier, and also a little history of the bank.
From the booklet it appears that the First National bank of Cortland enjoys the distinction of being the first bank organized in the county of Cortland under the National banking law, and was one of the first in the United States, it being 226 on the list, while the whole number now is nearly 5,000. This law was enacted in the dark days of the civil war and was counted upon to strengthen the government finances and raise money to prosecute the war. It was in those days something of an experiment to found a bank under the new plan, and so it may be counted as a measure of patriotism that led these men to establish this bank.
The Founders.
The founders were Thomas Keator, Rufus Edwards, Arthur Holmes, James S. Squires of Cortland, Leander Fitts and Garry Chambers of McLean: Alanson Carley of Marathon; Dann C. Squires of Lapeer, and Nathan Bouton of Virgil. The charter was granted Feb. 24, 1863, and the founders became the first board of directors. Thomas Keator was elected president: Rufus Edwards vice-president and E. P. Slafter cashier. It is a noteworthy fact that three of the present directors, Hon. A. A. Carley, Samuel Keator and Edward Keator are sons of men who were among the first board of directors.
Officers During Forty Years.
Thomas Keator continued as president till his death on June 25, 1879. He was succeeded by Samuel Keator who continued as president till January, 1889, when Edward Keator, the present incumbent was chosen.
Edwin P. Slafter was the first cashier, and so remained till Jan. 1, 1869, when he was succeeded by William H. Crane. Io January, 1873, he was followed by Fitz Boynton, who held place till Oct. 30, 1882, when Edward Keator was chosen, retaining the position until he was advanced to the presidency in 1889, when he was succeeded as cashier by Edward Alley, the present incumbent.
The Bank's Homes.
At the beginning of its career the First National occupied quarters in the old Eagle store, on the corner of Main and Tompkins-sts. Afterward it removed to the old postoffice building on Court-st., and in 1866 it acquired its present site at 36 Main-st. But it outgrew the small building which then stood there, and in 1887 the present handsome and convenient home was erected upon plans that carefully considered the growing needs of the banking business together with the comfort of its working force and the better accommodation of all classes of its patrons and customers.
Its double walled steel vaults and its time locks are thoroughly up-to-date.
Some Statistics.
In the forty years of its existence the First National bank has paid out for expenses $186,277.24; for interest on deposits $273,521.98; for government, state, county and local taxes $170,384.33; for dividends $481,250; making a total of $1,117,433.55.
The policy of the bank throughout its long and successful career has been, while preserving all that is best in the traditional conservatism of the banking business, to unite with its progressive ideas.
Its capital stock is now $125,000, and its total resources amount to $852,276.42, all well secured.
Present Directors and Officers.
The present directors of the bank are A. A. Charley, O. U. Kellogg, T. H. Wickwire, C. F. Wickwire, Samuel Keator, R. B. Smith, Thomas Smith, C. L. Kinney, W. F. Chadbourne, H. Cowan, E. Alley, E. Keator and C. F. Brown.
The present officers are:
President—Edward Keator.
Vice-President—R. Bruce Smith.
Cashier—Edward Alley.
The bank now starts upon its forty-first year and begins business under its third national charter with the brightest of prospects for continued success and added prosperity.
CHANGE IN RESTAURANT.
F. P. Barney & Co. Sell Out to A. H. Milk & Co.
Late yesterday afternoon F. P. Barney & Co., proprietors of the Grand Central restaurant at 17 Railroad-st., sold the restaurant to A. H. Milk & Co. who at once took possession and supper was their first meal.
The restaurant will be newly fitted up und placed in first-class condition. Mrs. Milk, who enjoys the reputation of being a most excellent cook, will give her personal attention to the culinary department. Meals can be obtained there at all hours and upon short notice, and regular boarders will be accommodated as formerly.
Mr. Milk last night referring to the firm name, A. H. Milk & Co., said that his own initials were A. H. and those of his wife the same and he laughingly made the comment that "A. H. Milk" would be whichever one chanced to be present and the other one would be the "company."
BREVITIES.
—Tomorrow will he Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
—The A. O. U. W. will meet tonight at 7:30 o'clock in Vesta lodge rooms.
—Five Cornell university students who went home from Ithaca are now ill with typhoid fever in Auburn.
—A recruiting office for the United States navy has been opened in the government building at Binghamton.
—Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., will confer the ''mark" degree at its regular convocation Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock.
— The time of holding the funeral of Patty Irene Cole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Cole, 138 Clinton-ave., has been changed from 2 o'clock tomorrow to 2:30 o'clock of the same day.
—A visitor from out of town was heard to remark: "My son, I think if Ithaca water is boiled, fried, stewed a little and then served in thin, cold slices, you will be safe in using it."—Ithaca News.
—New display advertisements today are—Haight & Freese Co., Stocks, bonds, etc., page 8; Forrest Seed Co., Crimson Rambler Roses, page 4; Hollister Hardware Co., Sap buckets, etc., page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Suits and dress skirts, page 4; C. F. Brown, paints, page 6; The "Millionaire Tramp," voting contest, page 5; A. Mahan. Pianos, page 7.
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