New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-17
Mitchell Would End System"

Il want 10 break that system "dH'
to lborate the patrolman from the 'sys-
tenn and let him be efficient and honest
They are saying in Albany that they
don't know whether the bills will pass
that there is much opposition 10 them.
Every power which the system has
allied with it Is opposed to the bills
naturally. and the citizens should be be-
hind the bills
MAYOR Mitchell told of the intentions
OF himself and his associates in regard
TO remedial and preventive charitable and
social work in the city departments The
appointments of Commissioner Goldwater
of the Department OF Health; Commits
sioner Davis, of the Department OF Cor
rection: Commissioner Kingsbury. OF
Charities, the retention Of Tenement
House Commissioner Murphy, he said,
we're the first big steps in accomplishing
the administrations ideals.
I'VE want to have the Health Depart
ment carry forward its work OF proven
ton as far as its means, the citys
finances and science will permit he
said We want tuberculosis more ac-
curately fought and the sale of impure
foods prevented. We propose TO have
the Department of Correction corrective
in fact as we'll as I'm name and cease to
be simply an agency for the maintenance
OF the institutions in the city and on
the Island.
TT is our intention 10 work so that
tho Charities Department will not only
relieve the suffering OF the poor, but do
actual preventive work against poverty
by every means and strike at the foun-
dation Of poverty. In all we have start
ed with no preconceived ideas
Through the Board of Estimate We
intend TO attack the high cost Of living.
This will be done through the boards
committees on terminal markets and
port development. We will try to es-
tablish new terminals and coordinate
present ones, thus giving cheaper food
transportation. If we can establish pub
lie markets at available points we will
lower the cost of food distribution, and
If we can do these things we will go far
toward reducing the cost Of food, which
so affects the destitute in the city
Fight on White Plague.
Robert ". De Forest. president Of the
society. told of the cooperation OF its
workers with the city departments.
TT Is not improper TO remind you" he
said, that our committee on the preven-
ton OF tuberculosis was the pioneer or
ganization in the great movement TO
combat that dread disease. which is now
national, and that our initiative in tene-
ment reform has been followed In many
other states and cities. There is hardly
any city department with which We have
not direct relations, mutually helpful.
1--WE are not here 10 urge the city TO
embark on any new lines of social
activity. We realize that it is not the
function OF government TO make men
healthy, or make them happy, or 10 give
tfrem work But il IS the function Of
government 10 maintain such conditions
that health is protected. that happiness
can be enjoyed. that work can be done
and that Justice shall be administered.
Nor are VIC here 70 urge increased or
lavish expenditure OF public money.
But within the we'll recognized and
proper functions OF government We urge
that governmental action be prompt and
effective: that II be not merely palliative.
but that il be constructive, and that all
government action be co-ordinated quite