New-York tribune., 1901-10-27
HEALTH SERVICE PLANNED
INTERNATIONAL SANITATION PROJECT
TO COME BEFORE THE PAN
AMERICAN CONGRESS.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBUNE.l


Washington. Oct. 26.-To promote commerce
and 10 facilitate simpler quarantine inspection
among the Pan-American republics the question
Of creating an international sanitation commits
sion has often been agitated. The adoption Of
some international health service has been ad-
Vocated at almost every meeting Of North South
and Central American medical associations held
IN the last decade. The subject is 10 be dis
cussed at the Pan-Anaerican Congress in session
at the City Of Mexico, and the members OF the
United States delegation have been instructed to
press the matter for final disposition. Henry G.
Davis. chairman Of the United States delegation.
requested Dr. Walter Wyman, supervising
geon general Of the Marine Hospital Service, to
prepare a letter in English and Spanish contain
ing his views for the organization Of an interna-
tional sanitation system. to be distributed
among the various delegates. This has been
done and although DR.. Wyman's tentative plan
has been substantially approved by the Ameri-
ra a representatives. some modification will prob
ally be offered before its adoption.
SURGEON GENERAL wYMAN's PLAN.
In his letter to Mr. Davis. DR. Wyman treats
If the great mortality and financial distress re
sultng from yellow fever and other contagious
diseases which are bred in cities where sanitary
precautions are not taken. Then he speaks of
the efficiency TO be attained by a concentrated
cern twenty-five million people of the two
American continents. He also calls attention
10 the practical value of the recent discoveries
in regard TO the conveyance Of yellow fever. He
suggests as measures eliminate yellow fever
from seaport cities or towns which have been
epidemic habitats of yellow fever, or which are
liable 10 become such by reason of their geo
graphical locations bad sanitary conditions
that harbors receive sanitary improvements
that sewerage systems be laid, that the soil be
drained. the streets paved and infection elimin-
ated from buildings.
In connection with the enforcement Of these
measures, he proposes the election OF an inter
national sanitary commission. 10 consist OF five
members two OF whom shall be residents or
citizens Of the same republic They shall be
appointed by the Bureau OF American Repub-
lies and serve one year. when they may be re-
appointed or new members appointed 10 sue
ceed them. OF these five members one shall be
6 Diplomat, shall be learned IN the law. one
shall be physician and sanitarian. shall be
a sanitary engineer and one shall be com
1nercial representative. To these five members
there shall be temporarily added two TO repre-
sent the national government in whose domain
Sc the seaport city town TO be investigated or
TO be subject sanitary requirements. These
two members shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent Of their republic, and shall serve only in
their own republics. The salaries and travelling
expenses of the seven commissioners shall be de-
termned by and paid through the Bureau Of
American Republics, which shall also audit all
accounts, and said expenses shall be divided
equally among the governments entering into
this agreement.
SANITARY COMMISSIONS DUTIES.
The suggested duties OF the international sani-
farY commission
statistical character, TO determine upon and
prepare a list Of the eaport cities or towns
necessary to be visited, with a view to sanitary
improvements as heretofore stated. This will
be done by the commission OF five.
Second-To visit said cities towns IN the
oroer Of greatest commercial necessity, and
with the two additional commissioners TO make
a thorough sanitary inspection OF the port and
city or town. and make a formal report upon
the sanitary measures deemed necessary keep
ing within the limits of this convention.
Third-This report shall be in duplicate. signed
by seven members Of the commission. One copy
shall without delay be transmitted to the Presi-
dent Of the republic within whose domain the
town or city inspected is located, and the other
copy sent for file to the Bureau Of American
Republics.
In conclusion, the following obligations are
proposed:
Immediately after the receipt OF said report 1t
shall be the duty OF the President to whom the
report is sent 10 take such action lies within
MS power, either through national, State or
municipal authority, TO put into effect the meas
recommended by the commission or other
effective measures satisfactory to a majority of
the commission Of seven. and so certified in
writing.
One year from the date OF receipt by the Bu-
reau OF American Republics OF the conrnission's s
report, ir shall be the duty Of said bureau TO
ascertain IL the work has actually been begun
or II plans have been prepared and contracts let
II work has not actually been begun, or If plans
have not been prepared and contracts made IL
shall be the duty OF the Bureau of American
Republics 10 inform each OF the nations enter
ing into this convention, and each said ma
lions obligates itself thereupon Immediately to
impose upon vessels arriving from said port
imports from said port, which shall be - per
cent above the tonnage taxes and - per cent
above the import duties imposed upon vessels
or merchandise from any port not already under
the ban OF this agreement.
II, under existing laws tonnage tax or
Import duties are imposed by a nation entering
into this convention then, IN lieu of the per
cent of Increase in tonnage and import
duties above mentioned, there shall be imposed
a tonnage tax and import duties all mer-
chandise equivalent 10 the highest tonnage tax
and highest import duty imposed on articles Of
merchandise by any of the other nations enter
ing into this agreement
And Il shall be the duty of the Bureau Of
American Republics 10 inform the several gov
ernments what these tonnage taxes and duties
are. These taxes and duties shall be imposed
until the sanitary work has been completed and
the commission has so reported TO the Bureau
OF American Republics which shall Immediately
inform all the republics. and receipt of such
notice the taxes and import duties above men,
HEd l11