The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-21
THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

Legislative attention has already
been given to the suggestion OF the
variety of important business interests
which are affected in one way OF dh-
other by the regulations of the state
board of health that they have repre-
sanitation in the membership of this
board, which, at present, is composed
in accordance with the law OF hine
physicians. Representative Frey, of
junction City, has introduced Dill
which seeks to rearrange the person
mel of the board in this direction. In
brief. 1T provides for a board OF ten
members to be appointed by the gov
ernor. Five of them shall be physl-
clans Four are to be practical men
ACQUAINTED with the arts of manufac-
turing, and the ways of wholesaie
and retail business. And one is to De
an attorney who shall also be famlllar
with commercial business and inter-
ested in sanitary science. Tne presl-
dent of the board, to be chosen by the
members, shall have no vote on any
matter other than the election OF OF
ficers unless there is a tie vote. 80
this plan would practically give lie
hoard a working membership OIL nlhe'
just as now prevails
Whether this plan is the best one
that can be worked out. it remains LOT
the legislature to determine. But TINS
important matter is now before the
members and they should give IL ihoS'
serious consideration.
The honest business interests OF the
state, and they are in prepohoefah'
majority, are not opposed generaLy 10
the pure food laws and the other
measures that are administered py the
state board of health. Nor are tnes
insisting that the board, as at present
constituted, is of as mind TO De u1lali
in the application and ADMINISTRATOR
of these laws. But they DO Ieei tna'
if there were practical men Oh ILLS
board, men familiar with the lntrlca-
cies of their activities, to advise WIFI
the physicians in the formulation OIL
rules and regulations deemed neces-
sary to enforce the laws, the results
would be such that there would De NJ
tie or no friction between the board
and it's wards. Everybody KNOWS 1iial
that is not now the case.
These contentious seem to be most
This idea of a state board
or commission of any sort being notn
ing more than a burly policeman,
standing by with big club to whack
the heads of the evil doors that may
be ferreted out, is all wrong. 1t
should be that, as extensively as nee
essary, to be sure. But IL shoulo DC
much more. It should use its large
powers to foster and encourage lhe
of all business enter
nrises with which it has authority to
deal. About the only government
Iii g
is that discharged by boards of agri-
culture And strange to say they
haven't mower to do anything else.
Much public money is spent py the
states and nation each year TO neip
the farmers on their way. why not
a. little for the benefit OF the large VI
small manufacturers!
Ana the way is open for boards OF
health to be just as servlceaDie III
their line as are the boards of agrl-
culture. They could become uselul 10
a wonderful degree in assisting the
of food prooucts' Aoi
instance. in a variety of directions.
They could point out to them pet.er
and cheaper processes which nlsnl pe
by state chemists sc"
food manufacturers in Kansas are
chemists of their own to carry on re-
for improved processes. rms
is a work that might well be done TOT
Them by the state. DR.. Alsoefg, the
new chief chemist of the federal gov
eminent, has plans In this direction.
Ha nroposes to follow the system al /
ready in operation in Germany where
chemistry is made peculiarly useful
to manufacturing industries through
the development Of perhaps dozen
different ways of making the same
article. The cheapest and best meth
nd is then utilized and big service
Is done the industry.
WHY couldn't Kansas do something
of the same sort through its board OF
health? Hunting out the violators OF
laws is necessary. But no
agency of the state is going beyond its
fnnctions if it can assist in the de-
velopment of any of it's industries. And
tbere should be a little more helping
IN the part of state boards and state
officials and a little less hinderlng.