New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-08
NEWS OF BROOKLYN.
DIR. EMERY SPEAKS OUT.
HE OPPOSES A FoUR-HEADED HEALTH
COMMISSION FOR GREATER
NETWORK.
THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE IN CHARGE VI
sANITARIANs-EFFECTs OF ANriioN'N
FOR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
DEATH RATE.


,,.. co,,,,,s.,oner Emery feels strongly in re-
gard I, the composition of the Health boaIu a. nv
oos.5 4, Tho Greater New-York charter. Inc chaP
ter on nub,ic health provides for Board oo'Ss''e
Of TWO Commissioners appointed D! ''e -"",
Of whom is to be physician. ana 'ne y.
the Police Department and the Health o'''cei u ~,
Por, as members officio Speaking d" 's sun
iect Yesterday DR. Emery said earnestly
"r scarcely feel ike discussing the charter al ALL
so convinced am that ibis arrangement VIII NOT
give the city Of Greater New-Nork an e''0.e.,' ~
mnis;ration of this important department "''
is provided that the member OF the Doaiu "'o
no, a musician shall be it's president. ana thus the
Health Department will he under the control OF
man who Is not a saniiarian say emphatcally tnat
such an ARRANGEMENT Will not be safe or prudent
The health of the city should by all means ne ioonu
after bv a trained sani;aran. and every physician
Is bound 20 be q sanitarlah ~,
What is the use OF having the president OF the
Police Board a member Of the Health COMMISSION
Absolutely none az all The trainers of the charter
have simply aimed perpetuate the present sys'e"
in New-York without any good reason Tor oo'hS So
I, is idle 10 say that 1t is good thing 10 nave 'he
notice president on the Health Board in order TO nave
the ordinances resoeciing the public health carried
cut; That would make no difference. Tor IL Is 'he
duty OF the police TO enforce them any way.
THE Health Department has act in emergen-
c.es and ought 20 re under the control of single
head as has been the In this city Tor sood
many wears | am reminded OF a remark mace oy
Dr. West tho SCI rotary Of this Department under my
administration lie says that IL Is not dn1cur 10
make machins TO carry on the sanitary Work OF
city hut that a man should be in charge of the
machine who knows when II Is right and wise 70 DE-
part from the regular routine indorse that remark
hearty This Department intends to bring its views
before tho Charter Commission probably in the form
of a b;ief ana Will oppose with all our might the
plan of Health BOARD which Is provided for in the
charter draft.
Commissioner Emery thinks he has good reason TO
feel grailfed A. the low death rate-2o in LOCO
reached In Brooklyn last year. This is the lowest
rate in the history of the city and II secured in
spite of the exceptionally hoI weather last summer
The death rate in New-York reported 10 the
Brock yn authorities 25 in 1896 Compared with
showing especially when it is remembered that the
Brooklyn Health Department has only one-third OF
the appropriation allowed IN New-1ork while II mas
moe thar half the number Of inhabitants and
Ia gar territory.
1 ne Commissioner called attention 10 the remark
able success recently Obtained in Brooklyn by the
Of antitoxin in dphtheria. There was. he said.
outbreak Of this disease in one of the institutions
of the ciy-wh,ch one he did not care 20 name-and
sixty taken the Hospital for Conta.
Sous Diseases. An;itOxn was used in eacn case. ana
every one Of the patents recovered DR.. Emery SAID
fha here could be better testimony - the eff
cheney Of this agent in staying tho ravaSes Of dph-
tho IA
The doctor was receiving congratulations ysster-
day on the Nndication he secured on the previous
day IN ne suit brought against him by Jacob ].
Schmii $500 damages for the death Of his
SON who was alleged 10 have contracted sma ilpoX
from being TRANSPORTED in a wagon OF the Health
Department As soon as The testimony for the plain
iiN had been heard the Judge entertained motion
defendant remarked that If the head Of the Health
i'epar;nent vas ;n be held personally responsible
for The acts OF his sIbordnates. not a man could ne
found in the city who would accept the office Of
Health Commissioner.