The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-02-16
WHITE PLAGUE
IS DISCUSSED
County Commissioners Fire Up
Considerable Time to Question
of Caring for Afflicted.
STATE COMMISSION MEN
ADDRESS THE MEETING
Legislation on Topics Ranging
From Wagon Tires to Jury
Fees Will Be Considered Before
State Convention Closes.

Discussion of the duties OF the state
and of its respective counties with
regard to persons afflicted with tuber-
culosis took up large portion of
the afternoon session of the county
commissioners of Washington. The
white Plague" has manifested it.
self in every county in Washington
and every board of county commits
sioners has been called upon to care
Tor consumptives stricken paupers.
The burden is a growing one espec-
tally in the more thickly settled cour-
ties, and the time has also come
when, in protection of those who or.e
healthy, county commissioners Will
be forced to take some stand to pro-
tect their districts from the rayages
Of the disease
Division I'm the Ranks
W. H. Dixon of Pierce county led
one brigade of commissioners and NJ.
j. Carrngan of King county another
in debate on the floor of the con-
vention Tuesday. Mr.. Dixon wants
the state to enact such legislation az
Will put upon 1t and take from the
counties the burden of maintaining
the tuberculosis stricken paupers. He
goes no farther, however as doe,
Mr.. Cariigan who makes the entire
question Of sanitariums taken up by
the state and all patients cared for
and cured II possible. Mr. Carrigan
does not ask the state to bear the ex-
pense OF caring for such patients az
have means or friends with means
but he does want the state % look
to their segregation.
Mr.. Dixon thought the county COM
missioners had a right to ask only
for care of the paupers and thought
that the general question, If acted on
by the state, should come from a sug-
gestion from the state medical board
and not from the county commission
els. His idea prevailed and his mo-
ton to ask the state to provide for
toe care Of the paupers was carried
Legislation to Be Asked
Legislation enabling commissioners
to dictate the width Of wagon tires.
regulating the expenditures of co,in-
" money; putting commissioners en-
salary rather than on per diem; CIV
lilS W JuTOIS anu WltncSStS III CtIT'
cases their actual travelling expenses
rather than mileage; providing for n
sinking fund for construction Of good
roads trunk lines; additional iegisla-
ton for the state railroad commits
sion; increasing salaries of county
assessors as the most important
county office are among the subjects
which will be considered by the con-
vcntion before adjournment. These
are all outlined in resolutions which
have been submitted to the committee
en- resolutions.
Many Leaders Talk.
Leaders in their respective fields
addressed the convention Tuesday
Fl. b. Dewey state superintendent of
education; j. A. Perry, secretary ~
the Spokane Good Roads assoc alton |;
II. l.. Bowlby, of the state Highway
commission; J. C. Lawrence of the
State Railroad commission; Perry
Summerfeld of the Pierce County
Poor Farm; r. A. Parrish, of tho
State Tax commission were am ong
the orators.
Making the levy high enough to
cover the expenses was bit OF ad-
vice offered by Mr.. Dewey, VINO spoke
word for the increased efficiency
of the county schools. The com mis-
sioners, he said. should carry city
conditions as far into the rural dis
tricts as possible and make the schools
so excellent that no rural dweller
will need to send his children to the
schools of the city Fewer and larg-
er districts, good Libraries of the cir
culating kind. a free hand for the
county super intendent and especially
ample assistants were among the
things Mr.. Dewey spoke of and he
congratulated Yakima for the excel
lent offices it has provided FOR tie
| school superintendent in which ro
spect, he said, this is far ahead Of
Spokal county.
No Good Roads Built.
No good roads have been construct
ed in this state in 20 years said Mr.
Perry OF Spokane. He admitted that
some commissioners had attempted
to construct such but said they have
failed. Every farmer, he said, car
afford to construct good roads. to
grade of macadam in front of his
own PREMISES and in front of his own
to he right and asked in behalf II
Mr.. Bowlby sufficient leniency TO en-
able him to bring out the good points
of the law and render them effectual
He merely asked for Mr.. Bowiby d
square deal.
Mr.. Bowlhy outlined the work
which has been accomplished by the
state highway commission.
Mr.. Lawrence of the state railroad
commission pointed out to the com
missfoners features OF the laws of the
last legislature. The law, he says.
IL against grade crossings except as
approved by the commission and he
polnted out that the commission by
its work has eliminated so per cent
IT the crossings asked for. The corr
mission does not. however. act IN op-
position tn the wishes Of the count,
commissioners. Under the law and
the commission railroads are no. per