Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-10-13
GREAT LlFE-sAvlNe CRUSADE.
The New Mexican Sanitarium OF the
Fraternal Organizations.

Inc New Mexican SanltGrium OF 6&@
Fraternal Organizations.
Americas greatest battle against the
great white plague will be waged within
sight of Las Vegas, n. M. The fraternal
bodies of the republic, welded with thu
churches, clubs and municipalities into
one great humanitarian organization,
will, within few weeks, open 81 ,000,-
600 sanitarum for consumptive sufferers
that will be without n 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 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 lifesaving crusade was ever
worked out more carefully, step by step.
For a long time past the darkening cloud
of the consumptive plague which has
been threatening the nation has appear
ed especially menacing to the great fra
ternal insurance orders. Of late years
10 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 100000 annually paid out
for insurance, more than $10.O0O.OOO In
for deaths from tuberculosis alone. In
other words, despite all precautions, Is
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
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 it's suffering depend
ents to this haven of refuge by merely
paying the cost of transportation and
maintenance. The novel community is
distinctly not a 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.
mere Will UC SCFCfdl SdlCWdJo Va III
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. At
the outset, however, the greater portion
of the patients will come as the guests
of the fraternal orders which \ave 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 cost
of maintenance in each case being charg-
ed against the organization which sends
the patient. If only the fraternal in
surance orders become parties 10 the plan
to tax each member II cents year for
the maintenance of the sanitarium. the
income will be nearly $G00.OOO year,
and from 1900 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.