The Washington times., 1909-03-28
President Requests Surgeon
General Wyman to Draw
Up Plans.
GREATER EFFICIENCY
THE OBJECT IN VIEW
Joining of Government Agencies
Would Result in Cooperation
With District Office.
Continued from First Page.)

tstep taken toward its consummation
since he became President
The plan is OF especial interest TO
Washington because Of the belief that,
when it is completed, it viii provide
for a closer cooperation between the
Federal bureau and the Health Office
of the District Of Columbia. 1t has fire.
quently been contended in Congress
that, with all the Federal agencies for
health in this city, there is much which
could be done to lessen the work and
expense of the District health office.
Mr.. Taft believes in systematizing the
work of the Government and doing
away with the duplication of labor by
the various bureaus which through
oversight or lack of plan. overlap in
their endeavors. He also believes that,
in economizing the Governments
money, efficiency and expedition are at
the same time made possible
Important Move
If the plan is found 10 be as far
reaching and serviceable as the Presi-
dent now believes il viii be. il will be
one of the most important moves of
his Administration A great advantage
coming from il will be that one man
Will do all the work OF cooperating
with State governments when such CO.
operation becomes necessary.
The new bureau will have absolute
sway in such matters as bad water in
the rivers of the country. impure food,
isolation so far as it affects more than
one State, bad drainage where 1t touches
fhe rivers of the country, and il will be
expected TO cooperate with cities and
.ates on such subjects as badly -venti-
lated and badly-built houses. Under ii
would undoubtedly be placed the inspec-
lion Of all vessels or other vehicles of
transportation which might carry dis
ease.
The surgeon general refuses a this
time 10 discuss the matter or 10 admit
that he r drawing up the plan. How
ever. the President has commissioned
him to do il. and preliminary work
toward il has already begun.
Mr.. Taft's speech in Philadelphia. Feb
ruary y last, gave the following de-
scription of his attitude in regard 10 the
Ilan:
Work of Doctors.
so marked has been this Increase i'm
the importance OF the medical profes-
sion in governmental agencies that the
doctors themselves have organized a
movement for the urdhcation of all
agencies i'm the Federal Government
used to promote the public health into
one bureau or department. at the head
OF which they wish 20 put a man of
their own or kindred branch Of science.
How near this movement viii come to
accomplishing the complete purpose OF
Its promoters only the national legisla-
ture can tell.
Certainly the economy OF the union
OF all health agencies in the National
Government in one bureau or depart
ment is wise Whether at the head OF
that department should be put a doc
tor of medicine or some other person
must depend on the individual and rot
OK his technical professional learning
OF skill IT - the ability to juGge
whether others have such technical on
professional skill that the head of the
department who makes the selection OF
its members should be endowed with
we must look in the future TO great
development M all these branches and Ia
prominence IN political power and au-
thorlty OF those who shall succeed in
enectlng reduction IN the loss of hu-
man lie from preVentable diseases. d nd
saving IN the national resources -
Mr. Tart is president OF the American
National Rel Cross, and Surgeon CEN
ffal Wymau Is IN this organizatio $
board Of directors