Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-08
WRITES TO PRESIDENT
Nathan Straus FavorS EnIarg-
ing Health Agencies.
COMMENDS THE PROJECT
Makes Explanation of Need for
Federal Bureau.
AFFECTS FUTURE OF COUNTRY
Mentions Great Good That Can Be
Done Humanity by Ward
ing OF Disease.
FUTURE OF COUNTRY

Nathan Straus. who was president OF
the Democratic Business Mems Leaguesin
the last campaign. and who is widely
known in philanthropic circles through
his efforts to secure pasteurized milk for
the children of the poor. has addressed
letter to President Taft strongly COM
mending his project for the consolidation
and enlargement OF the various national
health agencies. The letter follows:
1T has been a matter Of profound salts
faction to me that you have signalized the
first month OF your administration by an
act Of far-reaching effect and Of incalcu-
liable importance to the people of this
country. in directing Surgeon General Wy
man to draft plan for the consolidation
of all the government agencies for the
preservation of the public health
Need for Federal Bureau.
I'm my long fight against the needless
slaughter of the babies by infected milk
have felt seriously the need of a federal
bureau of public health, properly equip
ped and fully empowered to protect the
people from needless diseases.
President Roosevelt's order directing
the public health service to investigate
the relation OF the milk supplies to the
public health disclosed a bureau admi-
rabiy equipped, splendidly Differed and
provided with able experts. The result
was report, the most important ever is
sued upon the question most vitality af-
fecting the future of this country. on which
depends in very large degree preserving
the lives and insuring the health OF tho
babies. But the public health service
lacks the power to enforce its findings.
Under Secretary Wilson's sagacious
leadership the bureau of chemistry. ad-
ministered by Dr. Wiley, has ably begun
the enforcement of the pure food law and
Drs. kohler and Schroeder have led the
whole world of science in their demon
STATIONS of the communicating of bo-
vine tuberculosis to man.
Some Results Accomplished.
The Department of Commerce and La
Dor has effectually prevented the importa-
tton of diseases in connection with immi-
grafton, and the War Department has
shown the world what can be accom-
plished By modern sanitation. while the
public health service has practically ex-
terminated yellow fever and the bubonic
plague.
The combination of these admira BILE
agencies in one national health bureau
such as would result from the expansion
of the powers Of the public health serv-
ice and the inclusion OF the other agen-
IcieS, would be an achievement for the pub
lie good such s would surpass in its
ever-increasinS and lasting effect any
other benefit that you could confer upon
the nation that has placed the powers Of
government In your hands.
Warding Off Disease.
There is no way in which greater good
can be done to humanity than by protect
ing health and saving lives. by warding
off disease and preventing death. The
recent disclosure of the decline in the
birth rate in America. as WILDLY shown in
the shortage OF 23,OD.OrO births in the
past century. adds urgency to the cause
that you have taken up in your instruc-
tons to Surgeon General Wyman. May
your good purpose meet with such in
slant and hearty support in Congress that
the work of saving the lives of the babies
may be begun without delay. May your
national health bureau speedily grapple
with tuberculosis, typhoid and other need
less plaques.
This is a great work. upon which all
men of all parties ought to unite their
energies for the common good