Influenza Ban Abrogated by City Officials

• Mayor Babcock, after Royer refused to lift the state closing orders until Nov. 9, counteracted the ban as far as city authorities are concerned; he advised that all persons resume normal activities and that the city would not act as a police power for the state, but would stand by the people who did not observe the state order; his announcement does not technically lift the ban, but it does indicate that it will no longer be enforced• ‘“We have been closed for one month now and the state is acting as if we were being punished for something,” said the Mayor. “…While the state is, of course, supreme in this respect, the city will refuse to act as its police agent. If Dr. Royer wants to quarantine the city in punishment, he may try to do so, provided government needs do not interpose a higher power.”’• Babcock took this action after a conference with City Solicitor Stephen Stone, Davis, and other members of his cabinet• Churches and schools closings were not issued by the state, so Davis has authority fully to lift the closing orders regarding them; Davis said churches may resume services tomorrow if they desire• Davis and Marks believe that the epidemic peaked Oct. 23 as new cases have decreased since then; current numbers do not reflect this because a number of doctors are making lump reports of cases dating as far back as Oct. 19; Marks declared that 250 would represent the new cases occurring yesterday and Thursday; Marks notes that there will still be many deaths from existing cases• Sidney A. Teller, director of the Irene Kaufman Settlement, requested that Babcock name a special “Epidemic Prevention Day” during which rubbish and accumulated dirt will be cleaned• A member of the Mayor’s cabinet explained that while Royer has no authority within Pittsburgh, he can quarantine the remainder of the state against Pittsburgh• All city health officials and businessmen who consulted with the Mayor agreed that depression from the closing order was hurting the city’s recovery from influenzaNewspaper Article1,