The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-04-29
Results Of Social Inquiry Conducted
by Russell Sage Foundation
in Springfield are
Announced
SANITATION Is A
SALIENT FEATURE
Points Out Opportunity for Purchas.
ing Lives - Investigation Gov.
ers All Phases Of NUM-
cipal Life
tBy United Press Staff Correspond

| Wv ohiteu FreSs Staff Correspond
ent)
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, April 29.-"Buy
your citizens lives" was the admoni-
ton given Springfield today. in the
report of the Russell Sage Founda-
tion, which conducted the recent social
survey Of the city. The report on the
public health situation was made pub.
lie today by the foundation and is
said to be a model for action by other
cities of similar size.
BY expending money. lives of citi-
liens may be saved literally purchas,
ed-according to the report written by
Franz Schneider jr., celebrated heath
expert of the Russell Sage Founda-
ton. The report is one Of several on
various conditions in Springfield pre-.
pared as the milk in the cocoanut'
of the recent survey and social dag
nosis.
"Serious life and health wastage is
constantly going on in Springfield"
the report made public today assert
ed. "ln the last six years 1918 resi-
dents died from known communicable
diseases and several thousand more
were made i'll. AT least one fourth of
the deaths may be laid to these pre-
ventable Diseases"
That 200 of the victims lives might
have been saved-bought by public
expediture of money on public health
was asserted. A plan of reorganized
health work involving only relatively
small financial outlay was recommend
ed in the report Organization of q
city health department was deemed
imperative by the foundations experts
That public expenditures for public
health should be increased about three
fold was recommended. Adjustment
of 1900 outdoor closets and as many
open wells was also urged.
"The toll of death is much heavier
in certain sections of the city than
Others" it was asserted "The tuber-
culosis death rate in the wards east
of Tenth street is over twice that in
the two southwest wards. The east
wards are the ones that contain the
eity's negroes, foreign born whites and
illiterates. The city's public health
problem centers in these districts.
Within Springfield's eight an ca
half miles are 1900 privies and $500
wells. This is probably the most ser.
ious unsanitary condition in the city
Most of them are unnecessary"
That city dairy farms are in poor
condition less than three per cent
scoring good or better" was stated A
city milk Inspector was declared need.
ed. Groceries and markets were salu
to be in good condition
A system of garbage collection was
recommended
+ The Springfield health department
has done crcditable work but is poorly
financed was another finding. A
health officer. and nurses for baby.
saving, tuberculosis work and quaran-
tine supervision we're said to be need
ed. That the city spends six times as
much for police and ten times as much
for fire protection as its does for pub
lie health conservation was stated
"Springfield has a splendid orpor
tunity to buy--to save 200 or moro
lives year and prevent such addi-
tional Sickness the reported conclud-
ed as public health is purchasable."
The health report made today was
but small part Of the tremendous
work for the public veal conducted by
the Russell Sage Foundation at Spring
field, with cooperation of leading local
citizens and other social welfare r.
ganizations. The survey was cor,
Quoted last summer. It encompassea
| 4 wide range and is said to have been
the most comprehensive and success
ful social-civic betterment movement
| ever undertaken in this or any other