Dr. Mengel, Chief Surgeon of The Lehigh Valley Coal Company, placed the nurses of that organization at the disposal of the community, and suggested that school teachers should be employed to help in the work of caring for the sick.
Mrs. E. Birney Carr reported that the Canteen Service of the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Red Cross would render all the assistance possible, while Mr. McLaughlin, one of the Commissioners of Luzerne County, gave assurance that the County would render any assistance possible to help stamp out the disease.
The Secretary of the Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce volunteered the assistance of the Chamber’s staff in handling all details of the work connected with the campaign. Dr. Charles Long suggested that an effort be made to secure financial and other assistance from the Board of Directors of the Central Poor District of Luzerne County.
Anthony C. Campbell, Esq., County Fuel Administrator, told of the serious conditions with respect to the mining industry in the 5th District, and declared that the output of anthracite coal was being seriously affected by the pandemic. On motion of Mr. Campbell it was then unanimously voted: That such emergency hospitals as the County Medical Inspector deemed necessary be established, that those in charge of the work incident to combating the influenza-pneumonia scourge should call upon the Board of Directors of the Central Poor District, County officials and the various municipal officers in the 5th District for financial assistance in defraying such expenses as may be necessarily incurred in carrying on their work, and that the County Medical Inspector be given any and all assistance required.
The meeting then adjourned, and within a day or two thereafter the County Medical Inspector announced the appointment of various committees “to coöperate with the State Department of Health in the 5th District with respect to the influenza epidemic,” as follows:
General Committee.—To have general supervision over the hospitals established. To provide ways and means, and secure appropriations and financial aid from the several municipalities. All funds raised, except State funds, to be placed in the hands of the Treasurer of the General Committee. All expenditures to be approved by the General Committee and its Chairman.
Maj. Gen. C. B. Dougherty (representing the Susquehanna Collieries Co.), Chairman; Hayden Williams (representing the Chamber of Commerce), Secretary; M. J. McLaughlin (County Commissioner), Wm. H. Conyngham (Red Cross), Lewis P. Kniffen (City Council), R. Nelson Bennett (City Council), Wm. C. Shepherd (Chamber of Commerce), J. L. Reilly (Central Poor District), Dr. S. P. Mengel (Lehigh Valley Coal Co.), Dr. G. A. Clark (City Health Board), Dr. E. L. Meyers (School Board), Miss Mary Trescott (School Board), F. H. Kohlbraker (Susquehanna Collieries Co.), Dr. J. W. Geist (Lehigh and Wilkes-Barré Coal Co.), Frederick E. Zerbey (Kingston Coal Co.), Samuel T. Nicholson (Vulcan Iron Works), M. H. Sigafoos (Hazard Manufacturing Co.), Fred. H. Gates (City Clerk), and Fuller R. Hendershot (County Controller).
Emergency Hospital Committee.—This committee to have general charge of the establishment of emergency hospitals and direct their conduct and care, including arrangements for and maintenance of subsistence for patients and help.
Dr. S. P. Mengel of Wilkes-Barré, Chairman; Drs. Lewis H. Taylor, W. S. Stewart and L. A. Sheridan of Wilkes-Barré, Dr. Cohen of Berwick, Dr. H. B. Wilcox of Kingston, Dr. H. Whitney of Plymouth, Dr. H. J. Lenahan of Pittston, Dr. Jesse Hughes of Nanticoke, Dr. J. H. Bruner of Bloomsburg, and Dr. Walter Lathrop of Hazleton.
Canteen Relief Committee.—This committee to have charge of the preparation of food, and the preparation of the same for transportation to outside patients at their homes—this transportation to be provided by the Motor Transportation Committee.