The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1916-05-04
VOLUME XIV = NUMBER 1S

With the starting of the
Health Train" on its wander
ingS up and down the State, Flor
ida has taken long step for
ward. No other commonwealth III
the entire country is better
equipped than this for the work
of educating it's people to higher
ideas of sanitation and to the pre-
vention of disease, according to
the most advanced scientific meth
DDS and experience.
DR.. Porter's Pet Ambition
This train with it's splendid e.
quipment is the realization of DR..
Joseph Y. Porter, for more than
twenty-five years the efficient and
able officer of the State Board of
Health. 1t provides the means
by which the board may come in
to closest touch with the people OF
Florida, may bring its campaign
of practical education on health
and sanitation to the people them
selves. This campaign has been
carried on for years by correspon-
dents, by periodical and special
press of the State, which always
has been most hearty and liberal
in its support of the work of the
board.
During the year past represen-
tatives of the board have visited
various sections and cities of the
state, carrying with them panels,
models and other equipment to
bring to the people practical in
struction for better living. The
splendid success that attended
this effort suggested its elabora-
tion and extension, and the health
train is the result.
This has been accomplished
without any special appropria-
tion of State funds. The initial
cost of the train and its equip
ment and its operation will add
not one cent to the burdens al
ready resting upon the taxpayers
of Florida.
Responses were Ready
Prior to the gathering of the
Legislature of 1915 the board
broached to the various railroad
companies operating in the State
the matter of free hauling of such |
a train and free passage for the |
necessary representatives of the
State board and of the attendants
and servants required. From the
officers of these transportation
lines came ready response of |
willingness to furnish such serv-
ice without cost to the State or
the board if it could be done with
ia the legal provisions of the sta
tute books of the state.
Next, appeal was made to the
State Railroad Commission, which
expressed the opinion that it had
not the authority to grant such
permission to the railroad COM
panics under the then existing
laws. 1t was considered that
special enactment by the Legisla-
ture would be needed to give
such authority. This was adopted
by the Legislature in May, 1915,
which in effect, gave the commits
sion authority to give the rail
roads permission to do what
they had already promised to
do, and so the complicated
problem was solved and all was
well, so far.
The Pullman Company was
most liberal in its bargain with
the board, by which the latter Sc
cured three standard sleeping
cars for it's use. These were re-
to meet the requirements
of the new and somewhat novel
service, and they were brought to
Jacksonville some weeks ago. The
intervening time has been occu-
pied in preparing and installing
the equipment for the great and
important work.
The cooperation of the rail
roads of the State with this work
of the State board has been most !
liberal, even enthusiastic. The q
greement between the roads and
board provides that all car in
spection shall be done without
cost. and that all minor repairs
such as replacing brasses in wheel
bearings, repairing broken draw
bars. and the like shall be made :
at actual cost. Some roads have
promised to ice the cars without
charge.
At the regular rates, such as are
charged for the handling of the
atrical specials or parties travel S
inc in private cars, the service S
rendered without charge woulo (