The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-03-03
FUNDS TO FIGHT
White PLAGUE
Legislature Seems Disposed 10
Give DR.. Dixon All Possible
Latitude in His Great Work
EARLY VOTE ON LOCAL OPTION

Not in Quarter Century Has Legis.
Iative Body Worked So Harmonious.
Iy and InteligentIy.
The state of Pennsylvania is evi.
IDENTIFY determined to go the full limit
in providing DR., Samuel G. Dixon,
State Health Commissioner, with the
necessary hlnds to do battle with the
great white plague. DR.. Dixon seems
to have demonstrated that his meth
cd of treating tuberculosis victims Is
no longer an experiment. SO far as
his work is concerned he has, appa-
rently, produced the goods in the
yernacular of the streets. Ever since
he entered the states service he has
been giving abudantly of his wonder
full energies and his accepted skill as
a physician for the best interests OI
the state. No employe of the common
wealth has worked harder or with
more intelligence than has DR.. Dixon.
Though in receipt of only a compara'
lively small salary, he burns the
midnight oil" constantly, and he reg
ularly brings to his work skill OF tho
highest order.
The Legislature some few years ago
was slow in acceding to DR.. Dixon'S
demands for financial support in his
work For the first three years of his
IN ham.
pered for funds with which to carry
out his splendid system of work. La
ter, however, he became better known,
because of his works and now the
Legislature seems wiling and anxious
that he shall be given all possible !at,
itude in the important labor he has
undertaken.
Notwithstanding the gracious sup
port extended to Or. Dixon, he is not
in favor of having the hospitals Of the
state hampered to the end that his
own particular work may be extended.
He is opposed, however, to having the
general hospitals equipped so that tu'
bercular patients may be treated in
them. Such a proposition does not ap'
peal to DR. Dixon. Discussing the mat
the recently DR.. Dixon said:
"Our department is in hearty SYM
pathy with every practical effort to re-
duce the fearful tribute which our pco-
pie are today paying to tuberculosis.
We must not, however, in waginS war
against this disease do it at the eX-
pense of the fight we are also making
against all communicable disease,
which like typhoid fever causes SO
much death and suffering and pecu-
mary loss in Pennsylvania today II
therefore does not seem wise move
to let tuberculosis jeopardize in any
way the work of our general hospitals
throughout the state. Such would, |
fear, be the result of the plan that
has been proposed for such hospitals
to admit tuberculosis patients on con-
dition of state aid.
"The provision in this plan that sep
arate wards be equipped at our gen
eral hospitals for this would not work
out. for these cases can only be prop
erly handled by especially equipped
and entirely separate buildings, and
this would necessitate an enormous ap-
preparation to all hospitals for tuber'
culosis buildings. Without such sepa-
ration the danger to other patients in
the hospitals would be too great to
consider for minute
There is an impression that the Leg
islature will do largely as Dr, Dixon
suggests The appropriation for the
Department of Health will be liberal
and will be given with the full con
sciousness that the money voted 20
that particular department VIII be
spent for the best interest of the state,
and that is a sufficient guarantee for
the Legislature. The appropriations
for the charities of the state--the indi'
gent insane, the feebleminded and all
the other wards for which the state
has assumed responsibility, are to be
cared for first by the Legislature.
This, it is believed, will take most II
not all the time Of the session now
rapidly drawing to . close so that in
what time remains between now and
the date Of final adjournment, April
Is, only measures of real merit and
pressing need will be taken up for
consideration.
OF course, the anti-saloon or local
option bill will be given serious con
sideration and that without much fur
ther ielay. The liquor people were dis
posed to have that measure disposed of
by this time, but the anti-saloon people
fought successfully for delay, and
while there was no particular reason
for granting them more time for prep |
aration the pledge of the Republican
leaders of the state that local option
legislation should have absolutely fair
play was redeemed to the very letter
and the delay asked for by Represent
ative Fair. who has charge of the local
option measure, was granted through |
the personal efforts of the Speaker Of
the House.
If the local option people are strons |
enough to pass their bill it will be !
passed, for it is very evident that the
leaders in the Legislature and tho |
state are not disposed to interfere in |
the matter. At last accounts Repre- !
sentative Fair was confident that his. |
bill would be passed finally, by the |
House side at least The liquor peo'
pie. on the other hand, We're just as
confident that thoy would have enough