Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-29
SAYS HEALTH BOARD
WAS NOT CONSUL TED
President W. I. Oppcnhimcr Makes
Statement In Reference to
Charter Changes.
Co-0rERATIoN rs NECESSARY
Advises Administrative Board tu Bc
Guided by Advice of Technical IN.
pert, and Asks Council tu Provide
Larger Appropriation.

DIR w. r. oppcnhimcr prcsidcn, OF
the Board OF Health. issued tho fol-
LOWING statement last night on tho
plan adopted by the city Council for
abolition OF the Health Board aud tho
placing of that department under the
Administrative Board:
while the fate Of tho Board ~
Health was stll pending. neither the
president nor any other member of the
board felt That II was proper TO give
unaSkcd-for opinions II is true that
| the board members felt that they
might have thrown considerable light
on the question. but they also felt that
their unsolicited advice would be con-
strued as an effort to continue in Of
lice. Now that the case is closed. there
Is u" danger Of such misunderstanding.
The members of tho Board Of Health
hay" received no personal cm"lument-
direct or indircct--cNccpt the con-
seriousness OF civic duty faithfully
performed. They had no personal OBJ
lect 10 gain in remaining IN office:
they have nothing 10 lose by being
icgiSiatcd ont OF office
II am sure can say for Tho other
members OF the Board Of Health. IA
well as for myself that We viii always
retain the deepest interest in the Rich
moud Health Department. one cannot
he. We have hccn, ter wears in in
innate touch with public health admin
.
immense benefits which such depart
ment can hestow on city. And $" we
wish only success to the Admiuistra-
tive Board in it's new ncld.
tO-OPEnATION NECESSARY
For SUCCESSFUL WORK.
From long experience feel that
ann entitled to point out ono or two
vital matters upon which the question
of success viii largely hinge.
Public health work to-day rests on
q solid basis Of expert sanitary science.
The Board OF Health has learned much
and is sr'Il learning We have. ~
/ course looked to the chief Health OF
fccr for guidance III all matters in
volviuc technical training and cX
pcricncc in the field In which he is an
/ acknowledged expert lie. In turn. has
equally looked to us for moral sup
nor, and FOR guidance in tho many
complicated situations which have
arisen from time to time. Tho team
work has been good. 1t must be con-
tinucd II success is TO he expected.
The second roint upon which sue
cess will depend is tho matter OF 'inan-
cial support The Board "f Health has
always felt more or less hampercd by
the small fund at It's disposal. With
more money much more and better
work can he done ONLY a few weeks
aro the Hoard Of Health asked tho
Committee on Finance FOR substau
tiaI increase in the health appropria
tior. amounting to - cents per capita.
OF u total OF $4,000. If this is given
and devoted to tho objects which the
Board OF Health has in view. the de-
partncnt can he raised TO an even
higher plane of efficiency.
WANT no TURN DEPARTMENT.
OVER ~ COOP CONDITION
The matter may he summed IN
briefly The members Of the Board OF
Health feel that 1t would have been
but natural TO inquire Very FULLY into
the reasons for and against changing
from system which has worked well
and given entire satisfaction.
Final disposition of the case hay
ing been made without such inquiry.
the members OF The Board OF Health
wish only success 10 the new venture.
While frankly admitting that they can
no, see the advantage OF changing from
a tried and proven system 10 new
and untvied one, they feel that no great
damage will be done IL the new man J.
aEcmcnt holds firmly, as they them
! selves have done. TO the simple pginct-
pie Of being guided by An expert in
! public health work. and, IL. in addition
to this the Committee OH Finance and