The Washington herald., 1909-11-02
The South and the Hookworm

Great enthusiasm prevails that Mr.. John
D. Rockefeller has opened his ample
strong box and promised 70 give 81. 100000
for the purpose Of discriminating through
out the South that somewhat weird and
as yet unfamiliar pest the hookworm.
The hookworm, we are assured. is a
terrible animal Of microscopic proportions,
responsible for much laziness and general
"cussedness" - heretofore so called - In
Dixie land
The hereinbefore mentioned great en-
thusiasm." we hasten TO add. seems
strangely enough. confined largely to
communities north OF Mason and Dixon's
line Below that celebrated limit there
appears to exist a marked hesitancy IN
accepting the oil kings indicated philan-
thropy-a hes.tancy, indeed, that suggests
a decided inclination 10 look this par
ticular equine thing Of gift persuasion its
buccaI muscles between somewhat sus-
piciously and with extreme caution.
Far be it from rs to say the hookworm
is not tho most pestiferous and depraved
organism known TO bacteriology. Per-
haps It has been rushing around seeking
whom it might devour all these weary
years down Carolina. Tennessee. and Ala
bama way. IL may have been responsible
for the free silver craze, the boil weevil.
and near-heer. FOR aught we know TO
the contrary. To tell the truth, we sus-
pect it is guilty Of all sorts OF high
crimes and mlsdemeanors. We admit our
relative unimportance IN the promises.
however. the while we arise TO INQUIRE.
Does Dixie quite appreciate Mr.. Rookie
feller's benign intent? Alas. we fear
Dixie has misgivings
Says the Macon Telegraph:
This new Islander on the South ought to be re.
tented BY overy Southeruer that has red blood IN
his veins Those that have no blood or resentment
why. let them take the kerosene oil cure. II they
want tol
Erope has her peasant and pauper; Mexico Ia,
her poems; the cities Of the North have their .l,ns
every land and every section has its own human
derclictA That the South is any worse OF than
the balance Of the world is tho rottcne5t kind Of
rot Ths truth IS there IS no land Of greater health
and risor IN the world than this Southland.
Seriously, the whole blooming farce ia n l,heI
on the South. calculated and intended 70 keen do.
sirable immigrants from comiug among Us II 4, A
straiagem Of tho enemy.
1t Is part Of that warfare that began mora
than fifty years ago but more insidious and danger
ous because It comes in the g1iso Of friendsbin
bearing gftA' Away with IT,
The Charlotte Observer smeHs-or thinks
it smeils-a strong odor Of oil about the
proposal. and says:
Toward Mr.. John D. Rockefeller's eft OF & Oo 0O
10 fight hcokworm ruvages IN the South We have no
unEacious words Il may b well INFANT and A.
will doubtless do some good. But thanks 10 Mr.
Rockefeller quite another matter. II orr re-.
guest OF acceptance had been necessary tho gif,
would never have been made Mr. Roct,-
fele-. With SO0o0o already given OF set aside 4,
In a splendid way TO take over the South. Al fbs
present rate there viii be very few people lef,
n this section who decently open their mouth,
about him or the things he stands for cycept IN
praise"
The Birmingham Age-Herald views the
matter with something akin TO mild IN
terest and considerable tolerance, say
ing:
IF Mr.. Rockefeller desires to spend s. 10000 In
effort 90 trace the hOokWurm 10 its lair. no one
need object; but il is scarcely Just 70 the South q
assume that the parasite Is confined 10 this section
q The eVuntzy' We need not, however. admit