May Lift Ban Thursday

At a meeting of the Health Advisory Committee at Normal Hill Center, there was optimism overthe current improvement of the situation and the potential lifting of the ban in place, although no date has beenset. Dr. George L. Cole, chairman of the committee, was hopeful that 'if after the effects due to Monday'sexcitement and gatherings are over, the decline in the disease continues,' the ban may end next week. Thesame optimism was shared by Dr. Edward A. Ingham, State Board of Health Officer in Los Angeles. 'PresidentF. A. MacDonald of the Los Angeles Theater Owners' Association said that the theater men, though suffering aloss of $1,000,000 a week, are perfectly willing to abide by the action of the health authorities, but believe ineven more drastic regulation, if necessary.' At the meeting, Dr. John R. Haynes and Dr. W. W. Hitchcock asked'for regulations or a city ordinance providing for more or less general wearing of masks.' After a vote, noresolution was passed. Dr. Le Moyne Wills, a committee member, challenged Dr. Haynes on the relevance ofthe mask issue. 'Dr. H. C. Brainerd was the only member of the committee to appear masked.' At the meeting,Mr. MacDonald appeared with Emil Kehrlein of the Kinoma Theater and Frank Laker, representatives of thetheater owners. They felt they had been discriminated and 'that if closed theaters is helping to stamp out thedisease, closed stores, offices, no street cars and a general shut-down would stamp it out more quickly.' EdwinBergstrom, representing Chairman H. M. Haldeman of the United War Work Campaign Committee was grantedpermission to hold daily luncheons as long as no more than 6 people sit at a table. 'A telegram to Col. Bray,manager of the Orpheum, was read stating that Boston theaters were closed only three days, New York none,Chicago thirteen days, and San Francisco show houses open Saturday, and hoping that the ban, now in its fifthweek here, could be lifted.' 572 new influenza and influenza-pneumonia cases reported yesterday, with 54deaths, a slight decrease from the previous day.Newspaper article