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Show HOSPITALS RECEIVE use FROM SHERIFF i I SALT LAKE, Nov. 30 Decision to (distribute the 3276 gallons of confiscated confis-cated whiskey, recently ordered de-;strojed de-;strojed by judges of the district court, 'among the hospitals of the state to combat tho epidemic of influenza war. reached yesterday by Commissioner of Public Safety Karl A. Scheld and Chief 'of Police J. Parley White, after con-I con-I suiting with Governor Bamberger. members of the medical profession in the city. Chier White outlined the plan whereby hospitals can secure liquor for treatment of influenza cases that come to them free of charge to the patients. pa-tients. Those afflicted' with the disease dis-ease who do not enter a hospital can I procure a limited amount from tho 'emergency hospital upon the certifi-! certifi-! cation of a physician that they actually actual-ly have the disease. There will be no charge in any case for tho whiskey. Both Commissioner Schcid and Chief White declared themselves gratified over the view of the matter taken by the governor and members of the med-; med-; ical fraternity, in countenancing the (distribution of the liquor as an emcr-(gency emcr-(gency measure. Chief White assert -, cd that ho personally would assume all responsibilty of a possible violation of the law and distribute tho liquor immediately, im-mediately, in view of the present public pub-lic necessity. Governor Bamberger gave out the following statement of his attitude in the matter: "It is not within my power to abro-I abro-I gate or make any change in the order 'of tho court as to disposition of in-I in-I toxicating liquors. The law leaves no I room for question in this respect. How-I How-I ever, in an emergency such as. appears ap-pears to exist at this time, I am wlll-I wlll-I ing to join eminent members of the medical profession in any effort to save human life in the event that 1 am convinced such action is not a flagrant fla-grant violation of the intent of the law. "Eminent members of the medical profession in this city have gone on record to the effect that tho use of alcohol is beneficial In tho treatment of influenza, and I have the utmost confidence in their sincerity. In view of this and the seriousness of the epidemic epi-demic in Utah at this time, I should regret very much to learn of the wanton wan-ton destruction of liquor now in the custody of the Salt Lake police department. de-partment. "When Commissioner Scheid and Chief of Police White called upon me today I outlined my position in the matter. They asked if there was any way whereby I might authorize the Salt Lake police department to turn the liquor over to hospitals for use in combating influenza. By process of law 1 know of no manner in which this could be accomplished, but I assured them that if such action should be taken and the liquor distributed only in cases where actual necessity existed exist-ed I would enter no objection. The! plan for distribution outlined, and which I approved, is that tho liquor j now in the custody of the Salt Lakej police department be distributed among the hospitals of the state, giving giv-ing each its proportion in accordance with its importance. From the hospitals hospi-tals the liquor is to be dispensed only in the treatment of Influenza cases and on the prescription of reputable physicians duly approved by the board of health of that city or town." j |