The Anti-Mask League of San Francisco in 1919, during the third wave of the Spanish Influenza pandemic

Right now, with the covid19 pandemic we are seeing resistance to wearing masks, enduring quarantine. Here in the USA we have possibly the highest rates of infection and death, with the least amount of testing, and our federal leadership is uring people to return to work, and our president is supporting armed protestors who want to end restrictions on their ability to congregate, work, send their children to school. They protest against wearing masks. This is not the first time we've had protests agaist masks, during a pandemic. It happened in 1919, right here in the Bay Area, in San Francisco to be specific during the third wave of the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Peter Lawrence Kane wrote a great article about this subject, The Anti-Mask League: lockdown protests draw parallels to 1918 pandemic.

I found these by searching newspaper articles for the text "anti-mask league." You'll see that it was local to the San Francisco area, but papers around the world picked the story up. I'll present these in chronological order. You'll find my comments in italic interspersed.

San Francisco Again Puts On Health Masks Anti-Mask League Sat, Jan 18, 1919 – Page 11 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

SAN FRANCISCO AGAIN PUTS ON HEALTH MASKS 

Mayor Signs Ordinance Making Wearing of Face Coverings Compulsory 

“ANTI” LEAGUE FORMED 

Schmitz and Nelson Only Supervisors Opposing Law; Action Denounced 

Mask wearing as a preventive against Influenza became compulsory in San Francisco last night for the second time.

By a vote of 12 to 2, with four members absent, the Board of Supervisors passed finally on the ordinance yesterday afternoon, and at 4:40 o'clock it was signed by the Mayor. Chief of Police D. A. White was at once notified and he issued orders for the arrest, beginning this morning, of any person appearing on the streets without the face covering. Those found not wearing masks last night were instructed by the police to put them on. 

PAIR FIGHT MEASURE 

Supervisors Schmitz and Nelson were the only two members of the Board to oppose the final passage of the ordinance yesterday. They tried persistently to hold up the measure but without success. 

Schmitz said the Supervisors were acting illegally in forcing the public to wear masks. He stated, however, that he would comply with the new law. 

There was a slight decrease in the number of deaths and cases of influenza reported to the Board of Health yesterday. The death total was thirty-nine and the cases 519. The reports for the four preceding days were:

	Cases.	Deaths
January 13	405	48
January 14	469	44
January 15	510	50
January 16	538	42
January 17	519	39

HASSLER CONFIDENT 

Dr. William C. Hassler, City Health Officer, announced last night that a gradual subsidence of the epidemic can be expected next week. He expressed confidence that the use of masks will eradicate the disease within a reasonable time. 

Mrs. C. E. Grosjean, who has opposed the mask ordinance on every occasion it has been before the Board of Supervisors, announced, following yesterday's meeting that an anti-mask league had been formed. The object of this organization, she said, was to "oppose by lawful means the compulsory wearing of masks." 

Mrs. E, C. Harrington, a local attorney, was elected president of the league. A mass meeting will be called early next week at the Dreamland Rink when the support of the public will be sought in a test case that the league proposes to bring into the courts.

ANTI-MASK LEAGUE CALLS MASS MEETING TO PROTEST Tue, Jan 21, 1919 – Page 4 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

ANTI-MASK LEAGUE CALLS MASS MEETING TO PROTEST

A mass meeting to protest against the ordinance compelling the use of influenza masks has been called for Saturday night at Dreamland Rink by the Anti-Mask League of San Francisco.

Supervisors Schmitz and Nelson, who voted against the ordinance, will be asked to speak. Petitions are to be circulated at the meeting demanding the dismissal of Dr. William C. Hassler, city health officer, and threatening the Mayor with a recall if he does not comply. Officers of the league elected last night are:

President, Mrs. E. C. Harrington; secretary, Mrs. Willam Nealon; treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Cook; vice-presidents, Miss C. Jones, C. E. Grosjean, W. S. Scott, M. M. Getts, Mrs. Mary E. Bush, Mme. C. E. Grosjean, C. L. Collins, Miss M. M. Scott, F. Segar, W. J. Marnell, Mrs. Blanche Bernhardt, Mr. N. E. Masson, Colonel H. H. Falk and Anton Iversen.

Sanitary Sparticans Anti-Mask League Tue, Jan 21, 1919 – 2 · The Long Beach Telegram and The Long Beach Daily News (Long Beach, California) · Newspapers.com

“SANITARY SPARTACANS”

Name of Anti-Mask League in Frisco

(U. P. Leased Wire to Telegram) 

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21. - "Sanitary spartacans" have broken out in San Francisco in protest of the influenza mask wearing ordinance. A league was organized last night which is to be known as the "Anti-Mask" League. Its members declare the masks insanitary and useless. At a meeting in the Pacific Building $100 was raised to aid in fighting the board of health's enforcement of the mask-wearing ordinance.

FLU ON WANE 75 PER CENT DROP IS NOTED Anti-Mask League Sat, Jan 25, 1919 – 11 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

FLU ON WANE 75 PER CENT DROP IS NOTED

83 New Cases and Ten Deaths Yesterday's Sharp Contrast With 366 and 41 on Jan. 20 

Cities Where Mask Wearing Is Made Compulsory Show a Corresponding Epidemic Decrease

Date.	New Cases.	Deaths.
January 10	612	37
January 11	365	43
January 12	520	26
January 13	363	40
January 14	469	41
January 15	510	50
January 16	538	46
* January 17	519	39
January 18	504	26
January 19	490	16
January 20	366	41
January 21	170	19
January 22	152	11
January 23	118	11
January 24	83	20

*Mask law became effective.

Spanish influenza continued to decline rapidly yesterday, not alone in San Francisco but in seven other Northern California communities where the wearing of the gauze mask is compulsory.

In this city there were only 83 new cases reported for the past 24 hours up until 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Of this total 31 were by telephone and 52 by mail.

Deaths reported here yesterday totaled 20.

This is in sharp contrast to the number of new cases and deaths reported five days ago, when the mask-wearing ordinance actually became enforced by the police. On that date, last Monday, there were 366 cases and 41 deaths. 

DOWNED IN OTHER TOWNS.

Reports received by the Board of Health show a rapid improvement in the epidemic situation in the following cities, where the citizens have been compelled by law to wear masks: San Rafael, Sacramento, Stockton, San Jose, Berkeley, Alameda and Redwood City.

"Laxity in continuing the preventive measures against the influenza would cause an immediate flare-up," was the warning of Dr. W. C. Hassler, health officer, last night. "With the steady arrival of citizens in this city daily from Southern California, where the disease continues, we must be cautious for some time. San Francisco's health rapidly is returning to normal, due to the masks, and to keep our health we must continue wearing them."

Not alone has the wearing of masks routed "Old Man Flu," but records at the Board of Health show a falling off in other communicable diseases, which records show are generally prevalent at this season of the year. 

POLICE MAKE ARRESTS.

The police continued their enforcement of the mask ordinance yesterday with many arrests, and the police judges impressed fines on those citizens who were neglectful.

At the San Francisco Hospital, after removing all the old patients back to the institution from the Relief Home, where they were taken to make room for influenza sufferers, there were still vacant beds, with no new cases booked. For the past two months the hospital has been crowded to capacity with influenza patients.

The Anti-Mask League announces a meeting at 8 o'clock this evening at Dreamland Rink. The title of the organization explains the object of the meeting and Mrs. E. C. Harrington is announced as presiding officer. Among the speakers announced are Dr. C. F. Buckley, Eugene E. Schmitz, Dr. J. P. Bein, Dr. Margaret Mahoney, the Rev. Thomas Parker Boyd, C. F. Welsh, W. S. Scott and Mme. C. E. Grosjean.

ANTI-MASK MEETING Anti-Masl League Sat, Jan 25, 1919 – Page 4 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

NEW CASES OF INFLUENZA AT LOW RECORD spanish influenza Sun, Jan 26, 1919 – 12 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

NEW CASES OF INFLUENZA AT LOW RECORD

Nine Deaths Reported Up to 4 o'Clock Yesterday, With 35 Persons Down With the Disease 

Health Officer States That Few Days More Will Eradicate Epidemic From This City

Date	New Cases	Deaths
January 10	612	37
January 11	365	43
January 12	520	26
January 13	363	40
January 14	469	41
January 15	510	50
January 16	538	46
* January 17	519	39
January 18	504	26
January 19	490	16
January 20	366	41
January 21	170	19
January 22	162	11
January 23	118	11
January 24	83	20
January 25	35	9

* Mask law became effective. 

New cases of Spanish influenza in San Francisco reached the lowest mark yesterday since this city was visited by the second wave of the epidemic.

Up to 4 o'clock yesterday only 35 new cases were reported for the 24 hour period. The deaths for the same time totaled nine, this being due, according to the health authorities, to cases of the past two weeks which are now proving fatal. Of the new cases reported yesterday 21 were recorded by telephone and fourteen by mail.

"I would urge the citizens at this time," declared Dr. W. C. Hassler last night, "to conrinue their precautions. It will necessitate a period of four days before we will have succeeded in eradicating the disease from our city and full co-operation is necessary."

Conditions at the San Francisco hospital, as well as other hospitals in the city, were back to normal yesterday and have been improving since people began wearing masks. At the Board of Health all relief measures practically ceased, due to no further calls for help. 

ANTI-MASK MEETING.

At the Anti-Mask League mass meeting last night at Dreamland Rink resolutions were passed denouncing the mask ordinance as contrary to the desires of a majority of the people.

Nearly 2,000 persons attended the meeting and though the hall was nearly half occupied, a fair sum was realized in a collection which was taken up by a crew of fifty ushers.

Mrs. E. C. Harrington presided. Among the speakers were Madame E. C. Grosjean, Mrs. Margaret Mahoney, Miss Rosie Jones and C. F. Welsh of the Waiters' union. Supervisor Eugene Schmitz, who had been advertised as the principal speaker, failed to appear.

Resolution Is Introduced By Anti-Mask League Tue, Jan 28, 1919 – Page 1 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

Resolution Is Introduced By Anti-Mask League

The Anti-Mask League introduced a resolution asking the Mayor to repeal the ordinance by proclamation. Supervisor Nelson moved that the request be granted, saying the mask was no longer necessary. Nelson urged that the "plain people rule" and that "democracy" be practiced at home. "You know, if you know anything," said Gallagher to Nelson, "that the only way to repeal an ordinance is to introduce another ordinance. The ordinance provides," he added, "that the Mayor repeal by proclamation when so advised by the Board of Health.

The Mayor called attention to the fact that the mask had proved its efficacy and that he had no requests for its discontinuance from either the Army or Navy or private citizens, except the anti-mask league.

ACTION DUE IF DECREASE RATE HOLDS spanish influenza Tue, Jan 28, 1919 – 13 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

ACTION DUE IF DECREASE RATE HOLDS

Reports Show Increases to 13 Deaths and 54 New Cases Over Sunday: No Cause for Alarm

Dr. Hassler Prepared to Recommend Removal of Headgear to City Supervisors

Date	New Cases	Deaths
January 10	612	37
January 11	365	43
January 12	520	26
January 13	363	40
January 14	469	41
January 15	510	50
January 16	538	46
* January 17	519	39
January 18	504	26
January 19	490	16
January 20	366	41
January 21	170	19
January 22	162	11
January 23	118	11
January 24	83	20
January 25	35	9
January 26	12	4
January 27	54	13

* Mask law became effective,

The "flu" masks will come off Friday morning if the present decrease in cases is maintained. 

Dr. Wm. C. Hassler is prepared make a recommendation to this effect to the Board of Health at a regular meeting Thursday evening, and Mayor Rolph said yesterday that he will sign the proclamation as soon as the Board of Health acts. 

Notice to this effect was given the Board of Supervisors late yesterday afternoon by the Mayor, who said to the members:

"I have just been in consultation with Dr. Hassler and he informs me that this city is again practically free from influenza and he is going to recommend at the meeting of the board on Thursday that the masks be abandoned.

"As soon as the Board of Health acts I will sign the proclamation, which I hope will go into effect Friday morning.

"I want to point to the fact that there were over 450 cases in Los Angeles yesterday and that we, by the use of the masks, had less than a dozen cases reported today." 

LEAGUE REBUKED.

During the meeting of the Board of Supervisors members of the Anti-Mask League were sharply-rebuked by Mayor Rolph when they hissed Supervisor Andrew J. Gallagher, author of the mask ordinance, and applauded Supervisors Schmitz and Nelson, who opposed the ordinance.

Supervisor Nelson asked that the masking ordinance be repealed by resolution.

After it had been pointed out that repeal could be had only by the passage of another ordinance, and that the masking ordinance provided that it might be nullified by proclamation by the Mayor upon advice of the Board of Health, Mayor Rolph said:

I shall repeal this ordinance when the doctors, the Board of Health and common sense permit.

While the number of new influenza cases reported for the past twenty-four hours displayed a sharp rise over the figures of the preceding two days, Dr. Hassler declared last night there was no cause for alarm, as it was apparent that the physicians were finding more time to make their reports, and that many of the cases reported yesterday were of several days' standing. 

13 REPORTED DEAD.

New cases reported yesterday totaled 54. Of these 25 were registered. by telephone.

Deaths from the disease reported yesterday were thirteen.

"We have reached the end of the second wave of the epidemic," declared Dr. Hassler, “but there is still danger due to the many thousands of convalescents returning to their employment, and the arrival in the city of people from out of town where the disease is still prevailing.

"The increase in the number of cases reported yesterday is due to the zeal of the physicians of this city in co-operating fully in eradicating the disease.

"The doctors have been worked to their utmost capacity and the falling off of new cases now permits them an opportunity of reporting those cases which were delayed in the congestion."

THEY SUFFER MOST BUT COMPLAIN LEAST Fri, Jan 31, 1919 – Page 16 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

Anti-Mask League Mass Meeting Ends in Battle Royal (1 FEB 1919) Sat, Feb 1, 1919 – Page 4 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

Anti-Mask League Mass Meeting Ends In Battle Royal 

Session comes to Sudden Termination After Row Over Chair

"I rented this hall and now I'm going to turn out the lights!"

With this declaration from William Scott, the Anti-Flu Mask Association mass meeting came to a sudden termination in the assembly room of the Pacific building last night after a battle royal between the faction that wanted to recall Dr Hassler and their opponents, who favored frightening the Mayor with a petition signed by voters.

Mrs. E. C. Harrington, recent candidate for Justice of the Peace, held the chair and decided that the petition faction's motion had won. More than that, she refused to order a rising vote to prove it. Then the trouble began.

Miss Charlotte Jones, recent aspirant to the Superior bench, took the floor and called for a vote to dispossess Mrs. Harrington from the chair. Without calling for negative votes, Miss Jones declared her motion carried and proceeded to take charge.

Mrs. Harrington's husband, from the rear of the hall, moved to adjourn and some one declared that carried too.

C. E. Grosjean said he and Mme. Grosjean would donate the use of a room at 127 Montgomery street for another meeting Monday night.

"And next time we won't have a chairman who cheats," declared Mias Jones.

"We have you next time, Jones," retorted Mrs. Harrington. "I leave you and I love you all."

See also Second Wave of Spanish Influenza in California, January 1, 1919 to March 1, 1919 newspaper clippings