Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-10-12
GREAT LiFE-SAviNG CRUSADE.
The New Mexican SCuitariuuI of the
Fraterra! Organizations.

FraternG! Organizations.
America greatest battle against the
great white plague viii be waged within
sight of Las Vegas y. ". The fraternal
bo0leS of the republic, welded with the
churches. clubs and municipalities into
one great humanitarian organization,
viii, within a few weeks. open a 81 .000,-
OOO sanitarium for cOnsUmptive sufferers
that will be without a peer in the world.
Here in the heart of the region which
in all the world is best adapted to the re-
lief of lung troubles, a quickly recruited
army Of 1900 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
1t 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 lifesavings crusade was ever
worked out more carefully. step by step.
tCr long time past the darkeninS cloud
OF the cOnsumptive plague which has
been threatening the nation has appear
ed especially menacng 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 So 900, 900 annually paid out
for INSURANCE., more than Sl0,000,000 is
for deaths from tuberculosis alone. In
Cti,
per cent of the members are dying from
the terrible disease.
In an effort t. stem the tide of de-
struction, committees from the big fra
ternal 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 transporta ton and
maintenance. The novel community is
distinctly not a moneymaking institu-
ton. Indeed. the idea is that when farm
ing advantages have been secured, the
institution will be in some degree self
StStd
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-
tions with fraternities and churches. At
the outset, however, the greater portion
Of the patients will come as the guests
of the fraternal orders which bave con-
trbuted 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 cost
Of maintenance in each case being charg-
cd against the OrganiZa ton which sends
the patient. If only the fraternal in
surance orders become parties to the plan
10 tax each member II cents year for
the maintenance of the sanitarium, the
income will be nearly 100000 a year,
and from LOO to 5000 persons can be
cared for free. whereas if other fraternal
societies and the churches cooperate to
any great extent. as is now indicated,
the magnitude of the work Will be
greatly broadened.