"Flu" Cuts Store Hours

(Baltimore) HC Blake recommends paper cups when sterilized glasses are not available at soda fountains. The law requires glasses to be sterilized and must be obeyed. HC Blake ordered department stores, retail stores, and specialty shops open not earlier than 9:30 am and close no later than 4:30 pm to facilitate traffic and prevent overcrowding of street cars. He exempted dairies, grocery stores, drug stores, confectionary stores, cigar stores, and small stores in the outlying districts. The Health Department reported 81 deaths from flu and pneumonia in the city and 1525 new cases for 24 hours till 7:00 am. 75 soldiers died at Camp Meade and 455 new cases were reported. 15 deaths and 25 new cases at Fort McHenry. 11 deaths and 45 new cases at Edgewood. 7 deaths and 70 cases at Aberdeen. 5 deaths at the proving ground and 40 new cases were admitted to the hospital. The State Department of Health reported 808 new cases in the counties outside military camps and other government reservations. 25 deaths in the counties during September. City courts, except criminal courts, adjourned indefinitely. The United Railways and Electric Company, following Dr. Blake's directives, kept car windows open weather permitting to ventilate cars. Dr. Blake would decide on churches and Sunday schools within 48 hours. They would most likely be closed.HC Dr. Blake ordered setting a given opening and closing time for the stores. The order establishes "that all department stores, retail stores and specialty shops shall not open earlier than 9:30 am and shall close not later than 4:30 pm until further notice, and that the practice now in vogue of sending wearing apparel or other goods on approval shall be discontinued for the present, as must also permitting of goods unsold to be returned". The stores promised to comply with the order as well as the United Railways and Electric Company. These arrangements should alleviate traffic during peak periods. At Camp Meade there was an increase in the number of deaths (75) but a decrease in the number of cases (106). The total number of deaths to date is 430. The death rate due to pneumonia is likely to increase. New pneumonia cases since yesterday was 280. Chaplains are also overworked. Catholic and Protestant chaplains are working to ensure the spiritual needs of soldiers are met. 10 new patients at the Marine Hospital. 15 deaths at Fort McHenry. 25 new cases developed and 35 were discharged. HC Blake may close churches and Sunday schools. 'A committee of negro preachers called at the Health Department and urged that no action be taken against the churches, since they were the means of soothing and comforting people in distress because of the war and the deaths from the epidemic'. All courts adjourned except for two criminal courts. Firemen affected. 30% of the 800 men were ill and off duty. Commissioner of Street Cleaning Larking reported 50 men were off duty. Volunteers needed.Newspaper article16,