The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-02-08
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CONSIDERS SANITARTUM
Legality Of Possible Action by
Board is Referred to Coun-
ty Attorney.
DOCTORS EXPRESS OPINIONS

anu upeIculoslS society asking the
board of supervisors to appropriate
funds for the erection of sanitarlum
for the treatment of victims of this
disease, was presented at the meeting
OF the county board this morning. Drs.
Scallon, Dodge and Fisher of the So
ciety were present to support the pc
tition which was read by County Clerk
Richardson. After a lengthy discus
sion 1t was decided upon n motion by
Supervisor Sam Eddy, to refer the en-
tire matter to Prosecuting Attorney
Mcdonald who will investigate il and
If he finds it, possible for such an ap-
preparation to be legally made, to pre-
pare resolution which will be placed
before the voters of the county for
their approval.
In support of the petition, DIR. Seal
Ion talked at some length, discussing
the legal status of the situation. He
called attention to the fact that sue
cessful results can only be attained
through the aid of a large number of
people and stated that the Houghton
County society, together with the 9TH
er societies in the state, are prepared
to take the matter before the people
and to urge legislation authorizing
county boards to make appropriations
for sanitarums, and even making it
obligatory for them to take such ac-
ton.
DIR. Dodge stated that the society
stands ready To contribute a portion
of its funds for the maintenance Of
such an institution. DR. Fisher also
stitution.
Judge A. T. Streeter who entered
during the progress of the meeting,
was asked his opinion and expressed
himself as very much interested in
the progress of the fight which is be-
ing made to suppress the dread dis
ease. He stated that he believed that
a proper place for the treatment of
tuberculosis patients is a very neces-
sary thing. He called attention to the
fact that the last legislature under
took to- authorize the supervisors 10
provide for such sanitariums, but that
tho law is somewhat vague on this
subject and there is some doubt about
the extent of this authority. In clos
ing, Judge Streeter remarked that, ''as
a matter of economy. the action de-
sired would be very good thing for
the, county,"
Regarding statistics bearing on the
extent of the disease i'm Houghton
county. DR.. A. +. Fisher asserted that
a census taken last year developed
about 200 open" cases of this disease
by open" cases is meant cases where
there is danger of the disease being
transmitted to others. DIR. Dodge
quoted the report of the physicians of
Quincy township which was recently
submitted as required by law, to show
that i'm Quincy alone there are 10 So
called open" cases of tuberculosis.
After the physicians had discussed
their side of the question. Chairman
A. ID. Edwards. admonished the super
visors To go slow and to act deliberate
". lie stated that if such an appropri-
alton is made and spread upon the
tax rolls and later found to be illegal,
it would throw out the entire tax list.
After the remarks by chairman Ed
wards, the above mentioned resolution
was adopted.
Supervisor Lawton's substitute Mr..
Mclean, asked more time for the COM
mittee which is considering plans for
the construction of a new Jail build
| ing and the committee was granted
until the next meeting to report.
Chairman Uren Of the committee on
hrl, - reported tnat an understand
ing had been reached with the Hough-
ton County Traction company for the
repairs to be made upon the Portage
Lake bridge, namely the replacing of
some timbers and the laying of new
floor. The work will be done under
the direction of the Traction company
and one-half of the total cost of the
work will be paid by the county
a written letter of agreement to this
effect having been prepared this morn
ing. The supervisors also authorized
the bridge committee to employ an
inspector. time keeper and Engineer
RatcheIder of the Copper Range road
whenever necessary.
All members of the board except SUI
pervisors Lawton and MacNaughtor
were present, these being represented
by substitutes.