Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-06-16
Special to Times -Republican.


Fifty years ago almost no attempt
was made to employ the insane as it
was considered for the most part in
advisable. impracticable and unsafe. It
Is only in recent times that employ
ment has been utilized as a Their
apeutio agent to an extent that is at
all commensurate with ITS value and
applicability.
Tho economic feature Of diversional
training should not be ignored but it
should always be regarded as sub
sidiary to the therapeutic influence.
The state hospital at Independence
owns farm Of 1850 acres acquired at
cost to the state Of $76.073.50. This
affords employment Of the most desir-
able kind for many male patients. In
1911 more than 10000 bushels Of corn
i were produced. In 1912 the yield from
! the strawberry patch was 1887 quarts.
In 1906. 12.36S bushels Of potatoes
i were raised. In the summer Of 1911
the S.oss receipts from the farm and
garden conservatively estimated
| amounted to more than $4,000 in val
ue.
In winter" said DR.. Crumpacker,
"many male patients find employment
In the Industrial building. All the
| mems clothing except overccats, all
the brooms. scrub brushes, ny-screens.
window sashes. window frames. ETC..
used in the institution are manufac-
tured in this building.
Including those patients whose work
is confined to the wards, about 80 per
cent Of the male and IS per cent Of
the female patients are engaged daily
| in some task"
Similar reports come from other Of
the state hospitals and this feature Of
the state work 10 being steadily de-.
veloped
When school opens next fall, in hun
dreds Of the little schoolhouses Of
Iowa there will be made q start in
the matter OF teaching the rudiments
OF agriculture.
But Iowa will not be pioneer in
this work. It was for old Missouri to
lead the way In this particular re-
| gion OF the United Sta,es in agricul-
ture In the schools. A recent report
from that state 10 Of interest to Iowa
people.
There are ia counties in Missouri
and in 103 Of them there was teaching
OF agriculture In the schools. 1t is
estimated the number Of pupils re-
ceiving some instruction in this last
year was over $4,000. One county had
120 pupils taking the course in asri-
culture.
1t Is estimated 1t will take several
years to get this work started right in
Iowa. 1t will make its first start in
the state aided consolidated schools
where 1t Will be required as necessity
before the state aid Is given. From
these centers Of influence 1t will spread
to all districts Of the state. The de-
mand for text books and leaflets on the
subject will become great and plans
are already made for supplying this
demand.
There IL general disposition all over
the state on the part Of county author
tiles to accept in fun the responsible
ity placed on them Of making provi-
sion for the care Of the tuberculosis
patients of their communities. So DR..
A. r. Kepford reports after a number
OF journeys out into the state where
he has consulted with many members
Of boards Of supervisors.
Under the law as It is now II is
right up to the boards Of supervisors to
decide on what shall be done for the
care Of the people afflicted with tuber-
culosis. It Is no longer . personal mat
ter. but It Is q mtater Of public con-
Germ"
DR.. Kepford finds that the interest
in the subject continues undated and
that everywhere there is keen interest
IN all the problems relating to the
health Of the people.
Formerly all this was left to be done
by good men Who took an interest in
the public welfare aud they were ex-
pected to contribute al that was ever
given for helping the unfortunates.
Now the matter is taken up OFFICIALLY
and handled Ike other great problems
Of the common welfare.
Periodically the nes Moines news
papers have tho state executive council
making change in It's Office by selec-
ton Of new secretary or otherwise
reorsanixins. The present secretary
Of the council II A. II. Dawson. who
came to the place under the admins
tration OF Governor Shaw. He had
been q member Of tho legislature from
Z Jon cc.,.sss., ..e.ce.tntendent Of schools
anu = -u0WSpApe1 0o1tO1. no ms OeeH
secretary Of the council during all that
period when the council and its work
has developed into vast Importance
and great power. He has had q great
deal to do with corporation matters.
with assessments, with accounting and
with roofing out graft and ieakages in
every department OF the state. But
there 10 much opposition to him and an
- - -.
he may be supplantsd. For . long time
It has been the understanding that
whom he retires his place will be taken
by A. U. Swan. long his assistant, who
e q candidate for the place. Others
auditor q statessaad Forrest Treat, sec.