The Washington herald., 1915-02-11
Health of City and Country.

God made the country and man made the
town." is old saying which is most often quoted
by those who find in the cities sin, suffering and
death, and virtue, happiness and health in the
country. But man in his creations has developed
the city into place of health and happiness, while
sin in the common of the word by professional
reformers is relative term depending on environ
ment, customs and prejudices. The mortality
statistics of the Census Office for the year 1913,
indicate a lower death rate in New York City than
in the State of New York, higher mortality in
rural Maine than in urban Massachusetts and the
highest mortality of the whole country in New
Hampshire which is known the world over as a
health resort. These only sample figures from
long list which bear out the statement that the
larger cities quite healthy the village
and the open country.
Mans creations in sanitation, and for the gen.
eral care for the health of the people have been
expensive in taxation. but they have been econom-
ica in conserving the lives OF the people, while in
the rural community there has been too much de-
pcndencc the advantages OF natural conditions,
and not enough the laws OF health and sani-
tary measures. The same comparisons might be
made between the city and the country touching
other things bearing on the happiness, virtue and
industry OF the people Vermont complains OF an
increase in "dcfectivcs" and the burden of caring
for them by the State. There is no feverish rush.
strain and worry among the inhabitants of the
hills of Vermont, but there is great increase in
the detectives among the children, and the tax
payers complain of having to provide greater &C
commodations for the feeble minded.
The same story comes from North Dakota,
where the State authorities considering means
for an extension Of moving picture entertainments
into the rural districts means OF checking the
growth of insanity. The man-made town has de-
veoped into a healthy and happy community in
comparison with many rural districts, and healthy
anuscmcnts and social advantages as well as in
dustrial opportunities are the magnets that are
drawing the people into the cities to account for
a general decrease in rural population abandoned
farms and farm tcnantry.
The promoters OF land development companies
may shout back to the farm" a remedy for
the embarrassing conditions the imaginary
evils Of the day but until country life be
made as healthy and happy the life of the city,
the emigrationS toward the cities will continue.
1t is not to bc changed by pointing out any
imaginary corrupting influences Of city life while
the most revolving crimes recorded in the
rural districts, with burning men and women at
the stake for resisting arrest.
The mayor of Chicago has refused to forbid
young men and from meeting in the public
dance halls and he has called down upon his head
the denuncation of those who make business OF
supervising the morals of the people, by refusing
to put ban on kissing. The mayor of that
wicked" city may be all wrong in his views of
what leads to sin and destruction but if what
shall be said OF one Of the newest books from
Boston in which clever New England woman
defends the old practice of "bundling' as recog-
nized in that country under the vigorously virtu-
ous eyes Of the Pilgrim Fathers? 1t would be
just as we'll for the dwclers in cities to advertise
their virtues more and their shortcomings less.
The man-madc town is not a failure, never has
been. and is better now than at any other period
in the worlds history.