Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-22
ArBuQIERQrE As A HEALTH
CENTER


The Morning journal was not sur
prised yesterday to receive severa
Occupations ~ indignant citizens wins
declared that the publication OF th'
figures contributed % this paper yes
terday on local health conditions wal
r. knock on Aibuauerqne: that Il
wonsa result only IN harm 10 the
city's reputation and accomplish nc
goo result. On the other hsand hat
q dozen citizens compiimented rs yes-
terdny IN having the courage 70 iahc
% d condition in this city, which,
though undoubtedly exaggerated ~
the communication referred 70. IL rers-
ous enough. That a sanitary reyoia-
ton III this city IL needed; that health
measures bc made more strict ana ~
fective and that private citizens should
he cossscripted into the campaign for
cleaning up, there Is no doubt
Our correspondent or yesterday
takes the extreme pessimlstIc vicw.
We believe ne has featured the dark
side Of the situation. But ,ha article
VIII be productive Of good IN thar Il
viii serve 10 bring ont promptly the
nntrimfned facts and awaken he peD-
pie to the need Of doing ~sytnething
now. 81 taking time BY tho fsreloek
ana putting Albuquerque on q sani-
tary basis tina viii hc pprins ncnt.
Some % the isa-ts printed ycster-
day are distl g'cfnl. but there IS noth-
ing AXE publicity to cure public evils
Of any kind.
The situation is not appalling
when the death rate exclusive ~ tn-
Dercuiar cases. is seen TO be, accord
ing 20 our correspondent. only 30
compared with an average death
rate In the country or 1873. Bat IN
of our perfect climate. the lack
OF congested districts n the faciii-
ties offered FOR effective sanitary
work. We would have. exclusive Of
imported cases, the lowest death rate
in the United states. That this can
be accomplished by a little honest.
spirited. vigorous work is EVIL
There Is no better time for ac-
ton than now, when the city Is in the
transition state from q small place 10
a large one.
The comparison OF ssis city with
the canal zone is mhnifestiy unfair
and means nothing. The most perfect
regime IN the world. admin
Istered al q huge cost has transform
I'd q part Of the unhealthiest region
b the world into a comparatively safe
nnd similar measures were they
possible here would MAXI old age and
hanging the only fatal ailments In
New Mexico. This paper does not
endorse the opinion of the
correspondent. but we do think that
reveals a condition here that
'hould be remcdled. and remedied at
once. 81 We are able 20 keep on tell
that we have the hcalthlest city
the country.
The statistics given in yesterdays
communication are presumably taken
rom the records. n they are errone-
the people would like TO be shown
be errors and would at the same
lime like 10 know the exact facts as
o local conditions.
IL the situation needs action we
may a. wei lace 1t ana get busy. IN
cut these figures IN two there is
still a showing which Albuquerque
,annot afford. and a condition that
must be changed without delay.
One fallacy in The figuring OF our
correspondent ~ that OF taking one
ears record as a basis for the death
The only fair method VIII be
o take a series Of years and by so
loing AZ win undoubtedly be found
hat tho situation has been e~xareer-
But II there IS any real boost
ng II As the kind that gets az the
acts and eradicates undesirable con-
litions without fear or favor.
The howl that the publication Of
~'esterdays article is politics Is rot
20 attack has been made on the city
administration despite statements 70
uch effect la an evening paper which
las already announced rs approach
ng demise. an %ingiorious end due 90
consistent policy ~ knocking ev-
hat aids the progress Of Al
.uQuerque.
Angry abuse n an attempt 70 in
politics into Aibuquerque's health
is lodging the issue The +,
Journal has been working A.,
" the best interests 81 this city lille Z
any abortive newspaper attempts !
ave sprouted and wiihered even as I
present is whitening. {
To endeavor 20 gloss over facts and Il