The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-05

lone-haf Of the population Of the State.
The records of the Bureau of Vital Statistics
snow decrease of almost 10 per cent In the
death rate from typhoid fever since the estab-
nshing of the Department Of Health. and q
decrease In the general death rate Of nearly
IL per cent.
Under the provisions of the Board Of Health
Act Of June IL. 1913. boards of health have
been secured reorgznized In nearly every
borough and first class township. These boards
are constantly advised and assisted by the de
partment.
By constant use of sane and practical meth
cds, though at very considerable expense. ow-
ing to the lack of compulsory vaccination law.
epdemics of smallpox have been prevented
curing period when infection was persist
emily being carried into State from outside
sources.
Diphtheria Antftoxir furnished free to the
poor has saved more than 10000 lives that
would have been lost IL this wonderful reme-
dy could not have been readily obtained.
School Inspections in fourth class districts.
under the provisions OF the School Code, has
been a success In 1911 two-thirds of the dis
tricts rejected this inspection. During the
present year il has be accepted by 80 per
cent Of the districts. FoIow-up work
for three years shows $4,000 cases where de.
fects found by inspectors have been remedied
by the pIt,ents after potice received from the
Department of Health.
Through it's educational features-exhibits.
lectures and pubcatons-th department has
given the general public better understand
ing of health laws and the value of fresh air.
of sunlight and sanitary surroundings, and
has greatly improved housing conditions. Fri
vate and public corpo ations have instituted
improved methods recommended by the depart
ment. Greet industrial interests realize that
money and effort experded for keeping their
employees well is gooo business investment.
Liberal appropriations should be continued
for this audable work. The departments gen.
eral fund should be sufficiently increased to
provide for the Bureau of Housing, ana in
creased appropriations should be made for
of
PURE FOOD
Pennsylvania pure food laws are probably
the best in this country. They are enforced
vigorously and efficiently. 1t is the duty of
state to to it that measures are enacted
for securing and maintaining pure and
wholesome food supply, to facilitate its distri-
button, to safeguard its quality, and to prohib-
II absoutely any and every adulteration in
food and, drink.
During this administration many pure food
laws have been enacted. The law fixing stand
ards OF composition of milk and cream has
resulted in marked improvement in the quail
ity OF these important foods; the law requir-
ing the denaturing of spoiled eggs has pro-
tected the consumer from the use in bakers
wares of these deleterous ingredients; and the
cold storage law. which intended to cor
rect serious abuse, has proven beneficial.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Since the passage of the School Code in 1911
the State Board of Education and the Bureau
of Vocational Education have been organized.
The former has special charge of the erection of
school buildings and the dissemination of ed
ucatioiial information. 1t employs architect
to eriticise plans of new school buildings, to
suggest necessary changes and to harmonize
new buildings with the requirements of the
law. 1t is charged with the duty of acquiring
by purchase the property of the State Normal
Schools. The schools at West Chester, Edin-
horo, California, and Lock Haven have thus
FAR been bought and are entirely under
the control of the State. The Act of 1918
makes the Board responsible also for the care
,.,, r L.l.- 4
has been made along this line of benefcence.
The Bureau of Vocational Education has
in twenty-eight counties organized and estab-
lished schools with agricultural and vocational
departments, introduced courses in domestic
science and the household arts in many of the
school districts, and supervised the establish.
ment of schools for the education of miners
many of whom are not conversant with the
English language. AS soon the workmen
learn to read, write and understand English
and acquire some knowledge of ventilation
and other mining problems. the number of
cideHts is diminished.
In the growing eenters of population the d.
rectors have difficulty in erecting school
buildings rapidly enough to accommodate the
school children. The system of public instrue-
ton is growing in efficiency and is attaining
colossal proportions. School buildings with
valuation of more than Sl00, 900 600, with
S9,596 teachers in active service, and with
l,i0l.324 pupils enrolled. constitute an organ
z2tton the magnitude of which it is difficult
for the imagination to conceive. Its influence
worthy OF the most liberal SUPPORT supper, and and the
most vigilant care and supervision.
LABOR AND INDUSTRY
The comprehensive law creating the Depart
ment of Labor and Industry enacted at the
last session of the General Assembly, has been
enforced fearless'y and honestly. 1t is the
duty of this department to endeavor in every
way to establish friendly relations between
capital and labor. in order that industrial dis
turbances may be prevented. The educational
campaign for the dissemination of knowledge
concerning safety first" methods has been
vigorously conducted, as probably 60 per cent
of industrial accidents are caused through
lack of knowledge of safety appliances. Num-
erous industrial conferences have been held
over the State, including two Statewide con-
ferences in Harrisburg, which have already
resulted in materially reducing the number
of such accidents
Pennsylvania is the greatest coal producing
territory in the world producing in 1918,
26i ,623 tons. The State has enacted COM
prehensive legislation for the protection of
those employed in this great industry. These
laws are rigdy enforced and violators of their
provisions are promptly punished The bitum.
nous mining code, enacted at the session of
1911, has already proved its worth in conserv-
ing the health of employees and by reducing
the number of accidents in and about such
mines. The number Of inspectors in the
btuminous region has been increased to 2s
and in the anthracite region to 81.
In order that the greatest possible safety
may be thrown about mining operations the
department has recommended the establish
ment of First Aid Corps and Rescue Corps at
the various mines. The primary object of a
First Aid and Rescue Work is to render quick
service in times of emergency, and the effec-
tiveness of the work has frequently been
demonstrated. In the anthracite region there
approximately 500 First Aid teams
comprising 5000 men, and the number In
structed in the work up 10 the present time
is about 5000. The number of Rescue Corps
is over 100, comprising more than 700 men,
and in this work about 5000 men have re-
ceived instructions. In the bituminous region
there are more than 400 First Aid teams COM
prising 1000 men. and the number instructed
in the work at the present time is about 5000.
The number OF Rescue Corps is about 5000,
comprising 400 men. and in this work about
700 men have received instruction.
In all the mining districts encouragement is
given to the various methods of education.
such as night schools, mining institutes, and
WORKMEN's COMPENSATION
In my last message to the General Assembly,
concerning the subject of workmens COM
pensation law, referred to in the report of
the Industrial Accidents Commission, said:
1T is important in every civilized commun-
ity. but is of peculiar importance in Pennsyi-
vania, because of the pre-emnent position of
our State in the industrial work of the world
The report deserves especial attention because
of the fact that it comes from a commission
made up of men who represent diverse inter-
ests who have all given the subject thought
and study before their appointment, and who,
after many months of work, are unanimous in
their conclusions This unanimity in men of
their character and standing speaks eloquently
for the sincerity of 'ir efforts and the fair
ness of their work. furthermore, the con-
its work, and the frequent hearings which It
gave to all interests, show that It has been
in close touch with the general sentiment of
the people of the State.
L. int MI &c