The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-15
'DR..W|LL|AMS ON
HEALTH MATTER.
Chairman Declares That Re
organizations d Mere Question
Between Two Systems.
HAS NO PERSONAL AMBITION
Could Not and Would Not Be.
Chief Health Officer-1ss ue
is Defined. '3

or. Ennlon g. Williams, chairman of
the special committee which recently re-
,,orted on health conditions here, gave out
an interview yesterday, III which ro
clearly defines the issue SO far as he Is
able to sec 1t.
Dr, williams says tho public mind
should not be diverted from the real
question and he goes on to contend tiiat
the matter Of reorganization is II Dues
ton between two systems. l I.
tlc declares his belief that the board
system would work well, SIT has done
III other departments, and says II rs az
folly for any ono to say that he mas
any personal ends or ambitions In view
In connection With tho matter.
$50 far as the matters, between some
members Of the present board OF at il So 1,
side. and the special committee VI ths
said Dr. Williams, they may be discussed
before the council and decided there. "
lis all right that members Q the prresent
answer to points In which they think vi
Justice has been done them. ! should De
remembered, however, that, ~ PERSONS ~
consde!atio Ions are lnsgnillclHn. Go'i, ,,c.
cco cor sliti1 in in Richmond Improved &,
'"rhose who believe that present conu az,
room room For Improvement should demand
the continuance, Of the system rs lt, ~
1 am anxious however. that the e. pn na,c
shall Understand clearly what the ne"
health ordinance proposes to DO.
I'm the nrts place 1T does not require
that anybody be turned out OF once OF
anybody put IN. ~
Calls It Foolishness.
$50 far as am concerned' ! am &c. .oh !,
10 be chief health officer myself. ! l nat
is the. rankest nonesenso and robustness.
Those who express such an lden .inuol
ton ( Of their own State. Under tho, Con
stit,tlon l. being a member OF the Coun-
Gil could not accept this place n \, l,,a
than three years, even yen u 81 n',itnr ASIDE
would tk an Iimposslbiltty. ! couldn't
take the plaee, 4 {, / w r1,d ana cer'a''s
s5tBy the proposed ordinance the to ,u
eli would Iect five health cohnis ~. on
ers, one, at least. to be doctor; a.'otmIv
two citizens being eligible for the other
two, places. The commissioners would ps
paid nothing They o would noi a he peau,r
ed 10 give his whole5 time to the woiK
and be paid $500 a year.
Would Be Responsible.
"rhe commission would be responsible
for the control of the health department.
II would have practically no patronage
and would therefore. be removed as Iar
, as possible from politics. The commission
presumably would be composed OF sens
ble honest citizens and could APPOINT as
It's wisdom might suggest the Prese etiL
incumbent or anybody else who mig NJ Fbe
considered ft for 1t after full inquiry ana
thought. f5s s, (,
1"What j want especially understood Is
that those of us who want the chanee are
not fighting against or for any person OF
persons we are asking a change, o. o.. sys-
lem. Az we read the figures a nd facts,
The old system has not worked Wen. y i ne
commission system has resulted admir-
n blyfsjn other departments Of our CITY
government Even IL this were not SO tlls
health department Is UNDUE In Its lack OF
patronage and is besides far more m
nnrtant than any other, and consequently
neculiarly entitled to the application or
Iris principle. Wherever It has been, trleh
a Ia = resulted we'll and grown in favor.
why should 1t not work well N Y. y ou ~
health department, the most llllportani,
| Of ali? A department intended 70 suaru
us and our children from disease am, anu
| death Is even more important than tn n,
which guard us against thieves anf, lI I, :.
II do hope the public Will keep clearly
In mind that the pending dnestion,ls no'
| the yindicatlon or the censure toi any.
hndv or Inc election or removal OF any
| individnal or individuajs: but is hetWeen
= system which has proved 2 disastrous
| and fatal failure In practice and q nc 10y,
system which has proved su ccessi y
| MhercYer tried. :. 80 .--- !. 49,