The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-23
Kansas Sanitary Situation To
Be Withheld From Public.
Board of Health CenSOrS COndi-
tionS i'm Institutions.
REPORT OF DEPLORABLE CASES
Some Places Men and Women
Had to Sleep on Floors.
Meanwhile Board SOIicits Pub
licity on Private Probes.

Official reports concerning the sanl-
tary condition of state schools and in
stitutions are to be withheld from the
public. That is the action of the state
board of health as announced today
by Secretary S. ]. Crumbine.
This week the state board of health
met in Topeka. The members discuss
ed conditions at several state schools
and charitable institutions. Official
reports covering bad sanitary condi-
tions in these institutions were filed
by the board. Then, that the public
might not know the true conditions
rule which forbade the publication
of the reports. DR.. Crum bine today
refused to give out copies of the re-
ports to discuss their contents.
Recently the state board Of health
began an investigation of sanitary
conditions at all of the state institu-
tions. The investigation will cover the
big state schools, penitentiary, re-
formatory. industrial schools and state
hospitals. Conditions in several OF
these institutions are said to be de-
plorable. In some of the institutions.
it was recently reported, sleeping
quarters are so crowded that men and
women are compelled to sleep on the
floor. Ancient systems of ventilation
are observed in some of the state in
inmates are said to be far from COM
mendable.
Conditions at X. Z.
In the state university at Lawrence.
it was recently stated that students
were compelled to climb five flights
of stairs to certain class rooms. These
rooms are at all times artificially
lighted Sanitation in some of the
schools is also bad. according to in
dependent reports.
Official statements covering the ex-
act conditions in these institutions are
now in the hands of state officers. But
relatives of students or inmates OF
state institutions can learn nothing of
the facts.
Recently the state board of health
gave to the press the name of Wich-
ita man who owned a butcher shop
and kept meat in an unsanitary refrig-
orator. Newspapers were urged to
give the widest possible publicity to
the story that the moral effect might
aid a campaign for better health con-
ditions. In the matter of the states
own institutions, though. no informa-
ton is to be given.
Is Board Rule
"The board has adopted a rule not
to give out these reports and l cannot
violate the rule" said DR. Crumbine.
Reports will be sent to heads of the
institutions affected and to the boards
which have supervision"
One of the institutions said to have
been mentioned in the report is the
state orphans home at Atchison.
Nearly 200 homeless boys and girls are
inmates of the institution. Sanitary
conditions in the home are said to be
deplorable Other institutions are
covered by the report. Secretary
Crumbine. however, would give the
names of none of them.
In 1915 the state Legislature made a
direct appropriation of s69, 900 for the
handling of the affairs of the state
board of health The money is used
by the state board largely as it deems
fit. Under the order now in effect it
will give the taxpayers only such in
formation as it desires published.
Members of the board are Drs. II. L.
Aldrich. Caney; J. S Cummings
Bronson; Jessie T Orr. Olathe; 3. ].
Alexander, Hiawatha; Clay E. Coburn
Kansas City; w. NJ Earnest. Washing
ton: C. H. Ewing, Larned; O. D.
walker, Salina: c. II. Lerrigo, To-
peka; S. J. Crumbine, Topeka, secre-
tary: and NJ o. Locke. Topeka. an at
torney.