Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-10-10
GREAT LlFE-sAuNe CRUSADE.
The New Mexican Sanitarium OF the
FraternaI Organizations.

EIdtCA
Americas greatest battle against the
great white plague win be waged within
sight of Las Vegas, y. NJ. The fraternal
bodies of the republic, welded with the
churches, clubs and municipalities into
one great humanitarian organization,
will, within a few weeks, open 81 600,
600 sanitarium for consum Ptive sufferers
that will be without peel liz the world
Here in the heart of the region which
Ia all the world is best adapted to the re-
lief of lung troubles, quickly recruited
army of 5000 sufferers from pulmonary
affections will start to work out their own
salvation along new lines, which, it is
expected, will constitute the path for
countless thousands that will follow af-
ter.
The public has heard little regarding
this ambitious project. But the fact that
it has been taken unawares does not
mean that there has not been thorough
study and investigation and preparation
back of the big undertaking. On the con-
trary, no life-saving crusade was ever
worked out more carefully, step by step.
For long time past the darkening cloud
of the consumptive plague which has
been threatening tie nation has appear
ed especially menacing to the great fra
ternal insurance orders. Of late years
40 per cent of the applicants for admis-
sion have been turned away because of
light weight or the faint of the plague.
Yet, of the $62 100000 annually paid out
for insurance more than 100000 is
for deaths from tuberculosis alone. In
other words, despite all precautions, 16
per cent of the members are dying from
the terrible disease.
In an effort to stem the tide of de-
struction, committees from the big fra
ternai organizations have taken steps
for the establishment of "Fraternal
City" as the new sanitarium will be
known. Churches, clubs and municipali-
ties are being invited TO share the bene-
fits of this unique institution. Any or
ganization may send its suffering depend
ents to this haven of refuge by merely
paying the cost of transportation and
maintenance The novel community is
distinctly not money-making institu-
ton. Indeed, the idea is that when farm
ing advantages have been secured, the
institution will be in some degree self
SUSTAINING.
There will be several gateways OF adj
mission to the Fraternal City. Wealthy
individuals who have donated lump
sums will each have the privilege of send
ing patients, irrespective of their rela-
tons with fraternities and churches. Al
the outset, however, the greater portion
of the patients will come as the guests
of the fraternal orders which bave con
tributed to the general fund. Each order
selects stricken men and women from
its membership to the extent of its quota
and such individuals are under no per
sonal expense at the sanitarium, the cosi
of maintenance in each case being charg
ed against the organization which send:
the patient If only the fraternal in
surance orders become parties to the plar
to tax each member u cents Il year fol
the maintenance of the sanitarium, th'
income will be nearly 100000 a year
and from 1900 to 1900 persons can bt
cared for free, whereas if other fraterna
societies and the churches cooperate t
any great extent as is now indicated
the magnitude of the work will b
greatly broadened.