On October 28 new cases in Luzerne County were reported as follows: Edwardsville, 40; Wilkes-Barré City, 98; Wilkes-Barré Township, 16; Larksville, 19; Plymouth Borough, 50; Plymouth Township, 12; Laflin, 10; Miners Mills, 29; Parsons, 18; Plains Township, 109; Ashley, 13; Hanover Township, 35; Laurel Run, 2; Sugar Notch, 2; Warrior Run, 19; Courtdale, 6; Dallas, 2; Dorranceton, 16; Forty Fort, 18; Luzerne, 31; Swoyerville, 16; Wyoming, 14; West Wyoming, 8; Avoca, 5; Duryea, 4; Dupont, 1; Exeter Borough, 1; Hughestown, 11; Pittston, 20; West Pittston, 4; Pittston Township, 4; Dorrance, 3; Kingston, 32; Hazleton, 27; Weston, 48; Conyngham Borough, 3; Freeland,18; Lattimer,11; St. John’s,1; Sandy Run,11; Upper Lehigh,6; West Hazleton,72; Seybertsville,2; Neuremburg,22; Nanticoke, 64; Nescopeck,3—making a total of 956 new cases in Luzerne County.
On October 28 a joint-meeting of the General and Coöperation Committees was held in the rooms of the Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman Brown stated that the biggest problem with which the Coöperation Committee had to deal was that respecting nurses. He further stated that something should be done immediately to establish organizations in those communities. He advocated more pay for nurses, and said he believed that a sufficient number of nurses could be secured, whereby better progress would be made in combating the scourge.
After some discussion it was voted that in Luzerne County the pay of graduate nurses should be fixed at $120 per month, and that of practical nurses at $75 per month. It was also voted that all nurses should be under the control of Miss Loftus and the General Committee.
It was decided to recommend the placarding of all homes in which influenza existed in all cities, boroughs and first-class townships in Luzerne County. Also, that all matters of publicity concerning the “flu” in Luzerne County should be handled by the Chairman of the Coöperation Committee.
Following the adjournment of this meeting the following “Publicity Bulletin” was issued.
“A meeting of all District Chairmen and members of the Ways and Means Committee was held this morning in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce. Reports received showed that in certain outlying boroughs and townships officials charged with the protection of the lives of their constituents, as well as the general health of their respective communities, are placing the lives of their people below their selfish aims by playing politics. It was decided that, unless the said officials take immediate steps to bring about proper organization and protection of their respective communities, action will be taken at once to have them removed and their places filled by people with a sense of honor, and who will give to their communities the protection to which they are entitled.
“It was also decided that there is a great need for field nurses, and that the sooner a sufficient number of such nurses can be secured, the sooner the epidemic will be checked in our community. It was decided to pay graduate nurses $120. per month and practical nurses $75. per month. All nurses will be in charge of Miss Nellie G. Loftus, who is stationed at the Wyoming Valley Dispensary, 184, South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barré.
“It was also brought to the attention of the meeting that newspaper reports secured from people in boroughs and townships are not accurate, and that the same are an injustice to the said communities. In one community, where it was reported that thirteen deaths had occurred, correct figures show that the deaths numbered only three. Therefore, it was decided that the General Committee should be responsible for publicity given out only by the Chairman of the Coöperation Committee, to whom are sent all official reports from communities.
“It was also decided to recommend to the officials of all cities, boroughs and first-class townships in Luzerne County the placarding of homes in which influenza exists.