October 23, 1918

Read today’s Evening Star: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1918-10-23/ed-1/

The daily influenza death toll continued to drop–only 45 deaths.
A decrease of 336 in the number, of new cases reported in the last seventy four hours was even more encouraging to Health department officials. Today’s report shows 392 new cases, as compared with 778 yesterday. Health Officer William C. Fowler expressed gratification at the decline, but warned that precautions should not be cast aside because of an indication that the disease is being checked.

Lieutenant Howard Fisk – LOC

 

Lieut. Howard S. Fisk, in charge of transporting nurses to the homes of the sick, appealed to the motorists today not to let up in their volunteer work. While the disease is under
control, he said, every agency should keep up its relief work in order to stamp it out completely.

Despite the good news about the receding of the epidemic, public congregate places are still to remain closed.–despite public (and private) pressure.

[Fowler] will not make recommendations for the opening of schools, theaters, moving picture houses, churches, public dancing places and other places where there would be large gatherings of persons.

A number of notable to prominent Washington residents have succumbed to the epidemic, among them James Phillips.

James Laughlin Phillips, an associate director of the American Red Cross and well known In republican political circles, a prominent Washingtonian, died Monday at his mother’s
home, 1600 21st street* of pneumonia following Spanish lnfluenza. …

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan C. Phillips of 1600 21st st, his wife
formerly Miss Alice Gifford of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and a son, Gifford Phillips. [and a brother Duncan Phillips who founded the Phillips Collection in honor of his late brother.]