The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-10
HEALTH BILL
ProVokes Sharp Criticism-A Wheel.
ing Economist Makes Strong
Objections

Editor Inteligencer:-
4 Sir: Analysis of House Bill No. l53
which has been recommended for
passage in the House SHOWS that this
bill abolishes the West Virginia
Board OF Health as nov constituted.
and substitutes a very elaborate or.
ganization headed By a Commissioner
OF Public Health at salary Of $1,000
a year and expenses. and which pro-
yides for a public health council of
six members az $1,000 a day. six Dig-
trict Health Officers ana directors of
a division at $1,000 a year. and direct
Ors OF the division of preventable dis
eases, the division OF sanitary engin.
eering. the division Of food and drugs.
and the division OF Sitai statistics. In
other words. IL provides for a Com
missioner at $1,000. also $4,000
worth of District Health Officers and
four directors OF divisions whose sal
laries are not named In the bill bu;
which may be fixed by the council.
The Commissioner OF Public Health
Is 20 be appointed by the Governor.
he must be q physician skilled in sani-
tary science and. according to the bill.
he h. al the head OF an organization
which will reach into every township
in the State. and which viii be one OF
I the most glorious political machines
that could be attempted. lie is given
the power to perform the executive
duties required TO BE- performed b.
the state Board Of Health under the
present law. He reports 20 the Gov.
cTnor with recommendations for
needed health laws. and is authorized
10 prepare rules and regulations for
the consideration Of the public
health"
The Public Health Council is also
appointed by the Governor. and con-
sists % six doctors who are TO receive
$1,000 q day while IN service Thay
elect a President from among their
own number. but tho Commissioner
is named 5s Secretary 10 is their
duty 90 promuigatc rule. and regull.
lions and 90 perform other duties
now required OF such Board Of Health.
but hy specific limitation they have
no administrative or executive fuuc.
lions. all OF these being retained by
the Health Commissioner The Coun-
90 can establish and gmcud rngula-
lions under tho Health Law. the en-.
forcHmsnt OF which dryOiyss upon tho
Commit siorer The lew provides
that such regulations have the force
and effect Of law aud shall HupDrsDdr
all municipal ordinance" etc This
De- a tremendous power This council
sitting dt Charleston can pass uf.
dinanCcs relating to public health for
the city OF Wheeling 1i any other
town OF village boz the State. and these
ordinances shall superssde gU munICi.
p1l ordinances. lu othe. words. The
local councils or governing bodies are.
hy the provisions 90 fhif act. praCtIr-
ally prohibited from passing any or.
dinarco ON public health matters with.
out the sanction of The Public Heath
Council which by the plain provision
OF the Law, may pass regulations
which shall suprrscdc the municipal
ordinance Uy The regulation Of This
bill The Commissioner Of Public
Health who is ON the job an the time
can dominate the local council even
u The latter BE- appointed by tho Gov.
DruOr
Then Boo order comes tho district
health officers and directors % dIvI.
aIuns who are appointed by and may
uc removed BY the commissioner o.
health. There are Elk OF these OH.
GERS OWING 8licEianre directly fo tho
commissioner and no' fo tho health