Flu Shuts Movie And Playhouses From Monday On

• All theaters, moving picture houses, dance halls, night schools, Sunday schools, and churches in Greater Cleveland are to be closed for at least two weeks beginning Monday morning; conventions scheduled are to be postponed 3 weeks; the decision to close such gathering places was made by Rockwood and Mayor Davis yesterday in light of the increased severity of the flu situation• The State Board of Health also will issue an order prohibiting public indoor meetings and closing churches, schools, moving picture houses, and theaters in the areas of Ohio affected by Spanish influenza; Acting State Commissioner of Health James E. Bauman said that outdoor Liberty Loan rallies would not be affected but indoor rallies would come under the ban• Theaters and photo play houses were to suspend operations tomorrow night (Sat.) but Rockwood announced last night that he would permit them to run on Sunday after representations from moving picture men; all theaters and moving picture houses received a letter giving early notice of the closings in order so that they could make arrangements regarding bookings• Mayor Davis explained that it was the city’s intention to closes all non-essential places and both he and Rockwood expect cooperation and appreciation of the urgent necessity of the order by those who will suffer financially• The city order will also effect the Cleveland suburbs• The city order does not affect public schools, as Rockwood deems it inadvisable; Medical Director Childs and R.J. Jones, acting supt. of Cleveland schools, will ask that Cleveland schools be exempted from the state order, arguing that children are safer under the supervision of school doctors and nurses• Saloons, pool rooms, cabarets, and similar places may be included today in the closing orders as they are included in the state order which states that “congregating and loitering” should be prevented; Rockwood said that these places were not initially included because the intention was to close places where large crowds gather, but said that the city should conform if the state sees it as necessary• Rockwood said he would take up the issue of cleaning and flushing the streets to avoid germ-carrying dust with Public Service Director Bernstein; street cars and automobiles should reduce speed in dusty thoroughfares• Almost 30 percent of all reported cases are in the district south of Woodland Avenue SE, with the disease being prevalent in the Newburg district• 18 of the new cases are in the Holy Cross Home for Crippled Children on Cedar Avenue SE and 12 are at the Old Folk’s Home at 220 E. 40th St.; 8 more were reported from a residence at 2085 E. 84th St.• No new cases were reported at St. Luke’s Hospital where 46 cases are being treated• Coroner P.J. Bryne said that he will ask the health commissioner and street railway officials to order all street car windows be kept open; currently 2 windows must be kept open, but he feels this is insufficient• 10 graduate nurses from Charity Hospital so far have gone to help at Camp Sherman; 6 graduate nurses from Grace Hospital will report today for service there; a list of women with nurses aid training who have gone to Camp Sherman is givenNewspaper article1, 1