The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-07
Urges Voters to Favor Can- didates Pledgd Against
 Surface Closets
GIVES NAMES OF
 THOSE DOING so
Individual Helpless in Fight Against This Disease and Community Action Is Necessary, Says City Health
 Officer in Letter to Age-Heraid

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 respectfully ask space in your columns for the following communi- cation.
 think 1t unnecessary to emphasize the great importance and value of health as an asset to the individual and to the community. It certainly appeals to every man who thinks that to avoid the causes of disease is inn portant in his personal hygiene and conduct where such diseases are due to his own conduct and habits There are diseases over which the individual has little or no control; among these is typhoid fever To avoid the cause of typhoid fever requires community action-the people in their sovereign capacity through the instrumentality Of their governing body. Hence the principles and policies for which any candidate for city commissioner stands are of great importance to the com munity as a whole, and to the indi- cuss the particulars of sanitation in tHiS l W III say Slilply that many diseases, among them ty- phoid fever cholera, dysentery, cer- tain types of infantile diarrhhoes, most intestinal parasites and some others have to be swallowed to produce the disease, and when it Is known that the causeiof all these diseases are dis charges from the bowels of persons with the disease it not only becomes q sanitary question but one of simple cleanliness. All those who object to swallowing human eXcrement and all those who feel an interest in the eradi cation of all diseases thus communf- oated should take a stand in the pres ent contest for commissioner for those who are willing in their legislative, administrative and executive capacity to abate all foci which are the depots of supply for the distribution of the above filth and the disease germs that they may contain. These foci are chiefly dry closets which may directly con- taminate food and drink, or indirect ly through flies and other instru- mentalities distribute it everywhere.
 S39O in Birmingham
 There are S390 of these closets in the city of Birmingham; nearly one third of the population uses them. Ty phoid fever though not prevailing as an epidemic. prevails during the sum mer and fall seasons as an enlarged endemic, and statistics go forth to the world and disgrace us. Whenever there Is death from typhoid fever some body is to blame and where the cause of this disease is attributable to con ditions which require community ac- tion, the community its to blame. Cit izens who oppose such measures must stand in small way, 1t Is true, as particeps criminis if they neglect to vote and to work and to insist upon the abatement of such conditions.
 The following gentlemen, candidates, for city commissioner in their answers to a circular letter addressed to the II candi- dates dated October 26 not only agree with the health department in the great importance of this matter, but have prom ised to do what they can either by adopt ing the methods suggested by the health department or by the substitution of something better. The issue is this: A large number of people are financially un- able to pay for these connections. To put them in jail would be inhuman and persecution on account of their poor finan- cial conditions, and would not connect the closets. There Is a statute providing that the city, under these circumstances, can do this. The health department has urged for months that the validity of this act be tested in the courts. It has been un- able to get that done, The candidates be- low named agree that 1t shall be tested and also agree to the second proposition to provide them with the money either by arranging with an underwriting agency or by submitting to the people an issue of bonds.
 Would Cost $3O00 a Year
 I will say, judging from experience ir a n affnrf n apfOrca fbfS Ia that S3(0 OK would be- adequate. Five per cent inter- est on $3O0,0 600 will amount to $15,000 a year We are now spending $12.000 a year 1T removing the contents of dry closets which is not done as 1t should be because of the want of facilities, but neverthe- less has accomplished much good. There fore, it is simple proposition of finances not merely of sanitation and cleanliness but even in the saving of money by the abatement of these closets, and provid- ing an automatic means for the disposal of human excrement. The health de- partment urges the citizens of Birming. ham to think this matter over seriously and thoroughly, and to cast their votes for two of the gentlemen who have ir writing agreed to do what they can ir abating these abomniable nuisances ir our splendid city. These are the names M H. Mcdowell, Isadore Shapiro. J. B Wood, Dan A, Hogan, P. W. Turner, J D. Truss. w. D. Hankins and W. O Broyles.
 Of course, the health department is cognizant that other things are to bs | considered. but these gentlemen are ta be honored and respected, and confidence I should be inspired by their patriotic, hu. 1 msne and courageous declaration upor l this subject. So far as this writer knows | 1t Is the first time that any citizen of tn, l state makes health an issue in cam 1 paign for office I respectfully urge upoI ali voters their favorable consideration of these gentlemen.
 ] The general health conditions of Bir ] mingham are excellent with the excep | ton of typhoid fever, and it possesses tn, | necessary potentials to make it the mos l healthful city in the United States. Tt | do this not only saves life and prevents | disease. but is an asset of incalculabl, | value to the city in all of its activities Very truly yours.
 R. M. CUNNINGHAM. M. D..