The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-27
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
IS SIGNED
DIR, DOTY OF NEW YORK TO LOOK
AFTER TELEGRAPHERS'
PENSION MATTERS.

New York. Jan. 26.-Dr. Alvah II.
Doty, formerly health officer of the
port of New York, has been appointed
medical director of the employees
benefit fund committee of the Ameri>
can Telephone & Telegraph company,
the Western Union Telegraph com
pany and the Western Electric com
pany. In connection with administra>
ton Of the new pensions and SICK
benefit plan for employees of these al
lied companies, there will be estab-
lished gradually by these companies a
system Of medical supervision and
preventative sanitation, designed to
preserve the health of the telephone
and telegraph army. This undertake
ing on so large a scale, the COM
panies having nearly 100000 workers,
i~naugurates a new era in the rela-
tons of employer and employees.
Theodore N. Vail, president Of the
American Telephone and Western
Union companies, in announcing DIR.
Doty's appointment said: 1T is in
tended that the medical department
shall have wide range in it's activi-
ties. In addition to the unusual func-
LlonS Oh Sutl Il department ~ VIII ue-
wise and carry out various methods Of
health protection, known as '%preventa-
tive measures
$50 far as practicable we shall seek
the early detection of diseases. par
ticularly those a are commune
Gated, notably tuberculosis, and ar
range for their prompt removal, care
and treatment. This not only offers
a far better chance for the patients
recovery, but also protects other en-
ployes.
preventive measures also will in
clude sanitary conditions in offices
and work shops, such as proper light
ing, good air, pure water, safe plumb
ing and the discontinuance of articles
in general use which are believed to
be agents of infection. By various
| plain and practical methods, employees
will be instructed in hygiene and SAM
~tation, and we hope that the informa-
ton thus gained will extend to the
home n to the public generally.
Modern sanitary laws know that
public health is best maintained by
prevention, rather than by treatment
of disease after it develops. The
measures we plan are of inestimable
value, not merely in the interest of
our companies but also in public edu-
cation or sanitary subjects, for our
employees are everywhere in the United
States, even in smallest towns. Su-
pervision by the medical department
owe sick and injured does not neces-
sarily mean that the companies are tC
furnish medical attention for those
who are disabled, but so far as posi-
bic they will aid in securing prompt
Arrangements will be made with hos.
pitfalls throughout the country fol
prompt reception of those who may
decide upon this form of treatment
Medical representatives will be Sc.
lected to deal with the various con.
ditions and emergencies that may arise
in connection with this branch Of the
service. The various measures out.
lined will be carried out in a reason.
able way and without undue haste, fol
haste often involves unnecessary ex.
pense and with but little benefit tt
employees.
This undertaking in accord witt
modern sanitation will also benefit the
companies as it Is intended to do. L
provides mutual protection and co
operation between employe and EN-.
ployers. 1t insures far better and les.
interrupted service and constitutes al
economical factor in the interest o
both parties.''