The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-19
Value of a Human Life
Not of Your Own, But
Your Neighbours, to You

That America will eventually degenerate into
| purely commercial nation, which IN pam Eng
lsh means destruction in all higher lasting pros
perity and that the Slays are the coming peo
| pie is the opinion OF DR.. Charles Mayo OF
| Rochester. MINI.
The value of an adult human life in this coun-
try is exactly $4,000.
This seems an absurdly small sum from
mercenary. economic point of view, alone. for
an unskilled laborer can make 81 50. and some
times S. per day. but the reason that ms hle IS
not appraised at a higher rate Is that this
amount would cover any commercial inconVen-
iencc or loss felt through the Is years OF Ms
natural activity.
There is always someone 10 take his place.
Property. not human life. Is the paramount
issue in nation given UP 10 commercial Ideals,
and il s 1irh time that we looked things square
Ilv in the face and asked ourselves this pregnant
question.
as human life OF less value than dollars?
| Fvqryona will hold up pious hands and eX
! claim against such an unjust suspicion. and
everyone will be quite sincere and honest IN MS
! protestations We are all thinking Of our own
| and realizing that no money value could De pu'
Bnt are We thinking OF the other ones own
Are we thinking OF the one who through mis-
fortune and a system which has pied up IN
Justice mountain high, cannot care for or pro
Again we comfort ourselves with SNUG salts
faction
pies and charities flourished.
We are putting our hands in our pockets cor
stantIy for this that or the other thing
There are tag days galore and all sorts q
contriyances for the redistribution OF wealth
Quite true. but the number OF charities nece'
sary Is only the indication OF the deadly adVanc
of social disease.
They are the rash which the system throw
off In order TO save itself, and what are d.
ing is TO sprinkle little soothing talcum upo
f. TO calm the patient and keep him still.
The phianthropic and charitable institution
: OF country are fair indication OF that cour
! trys physical and economical health.
The more charity necessary, the lower 10
On the other hand, they show a desire on III
part of the people 10 ameliorate conditions, bt
in what way?
business interests" said DR.. Mayo. get fou
times as much from the government Tor IN
care and protection OF hogs and cattle as IN
public health service receives for the care
human health" 49,
The health department Of every municipalit
/, lis the most poverty-stricken OF all.
| Private means must come in and assist
! anything worth while is 20 be accomplished.
, II is not very difficult 20 get aldermen 10 ar
propriate sums for many forms Of bettermen
in a city, such as paving lighting and yartou
! public works, but any advance IN health apprC
priations must be fought for tooth and nail
2 They are not yet alive 20 the fact that whe
r the people In the slums arc menaced, thei
own beautiful children, which nc money cou
, buy menaced also.
They are. instead virtuoualy concerned for tn
taxpayer and afraid that ne will not have ful
returns
) "All that r. necessary for tho public healtl
, OF community, now" said Or. Mayo, lis 10
that community 10 be Intelligent enough TO de
+. mand OF the government that all OF the dlscoy
cries OF medical science be put TO work I'm be
half OF tho community"
J II conditions have become 80 far removed
, from the intention OF our forcfathers that eco
nomic liberty, health and the pursuit OF happI
ness are no longer possible for large percent
age OF American people, then the government
must step in with mothering wings and protec
, It's children.