The Detroit times., 1916-06-19
Value of a Human Life
Not of Your Own, But
Your Neighbor's, to You

That America will eventually degenerate into
purely commercial nation, which in plain Eng
lish means destruction in all higher lasting pros
perity and that the Slavs are the coming PEG,
pie is the opinion or Dr. Charles Mayo' Vi
Rochester, MINI,
The value of an adult human life in this coun-
try is exactly $4,000.
mercenary economic point OF view alone LOT
an unskilled laborer can make 81, 50. and some
times IS per day but the reason that his life Is
not appraised at higher rate Is that TINS
amount would cover any commercial inconVen
fence or loss felt through the 20 years VI NE
natural activity.
There is always someone 10 take ms place.
Property. not human life, is the paramount
issue in a nation given up TO commercial IDEALS
and IL Is high time that we looked things square
w in the face and asked ourselves this pregnant
question. -
"Is human life of less value than dollars?
Everyone will hold up pious hands and e1.
claim against such an unjust susplclon; anu iu
everyone will be quite sincere and honest In his
manifestations We are all thinking OF our own
and realizing that no money value could be put
upon them. -
nut are we thinking OF the other ones own?
Are We thinking OF the one who through mis-
fortune and a system which has piled up In
justice mountain high, cannot care Tor or pro
tect it's own?
Again we comfort ourselves with SNUG salts
| faction. ~,
Never was time when so many philanthro-
| pies and charities flourished
| We are putting our hands in our pockets con.
| stantly for this, that or the other thlng'
There are tag days galore and all sorts oil
contrivances for the redistribution OF wealth.
| Quite true. but the number Of charities neces
| sary Is only the indication of the deadly advance
| of social disease.
| off in order to save itself, and what We are do
| ing IL to sprinkle little soothing talcum upon
| t. to calm the patient and keep him still.
The phanthropic and charitable institutions
OF country are fair indication or that coun'
try's phvsical and economical health.
The more charity necessary, the lower the
standard
On the other hand. they show a desire on the
part of the people 10 ameliorate conditions but
in what way?
Business interests" said Or. Mayo. get four
times as much from the government for the
care and protection Of hogs and cattle as the
public health service receives for the care OF
human health"
The health department Of every municipality
is the most poyerty.stricken OF all
Private means must come in and assist II
anything worth while IS TO be accomplished.
| II Is not very difficult 10 get aldermen TO ap-
propriate sums for many forms OF betterment
| in city, such as paving, lighting and various
public works, but any advance In health appro-
prations must be fought fo- tooth and nail.
They are not yet alive 70 the fact that when
| the people in the slums are menaced their
own beautiful children. which no money could
| buy. are menaced also.
They gre, instead vrtuously concerned for the
taxpayer and afraid that he will not have full
returns
"All that IS necessary for tho public health
| OF a community, now" said DR. Mayo. Us for
that community 10 be Intelligent enough TO de-
mand OF the government that ali OF the discoy
cries OF medical science DO put 10 work I'm be
half OF tho community"
II conditions have become 40 far removed
from the intention OF our forefathers that eco
monte liberty, health and the pursuit OF happi
ness are no longer possible for a large percent.
age OF American people. then the government
must step In with motherng wings and protect
It's children.