South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-10
Executive Secretary of Indi-
ana Anti-TuberCuIoSiS So
Ciety Praises News
Times Expose.
PHYSICIANS ENDORSE
CLEANUP MOVEMENT
Some Declare DeplOrable Gen.
ditiOnS Exist Near the
Center of South
Bend.
You've certainly got the goods.

You've certainly got the goods.
This was the comment OF Arthur
J. Strawson OF Indianapolis. execu-
tive secretary OF the Indiana Anti
tuberculosis society. on the story Of
housing conditions in South Bend
which appeared in the sunday News
Times introducing campaign for
better housing. Mr. StrawsOn was
IN the city Sunday and Monday on
business with the local Anti
Tuberculos = society and was much
interested in the revelation OF con-
ditiOns which exist IA South Bend
Bad housing" he aid has long
been recognized as the chief predis-
posing cause or tuberculosis. II does
not cause tuberculosis. of course. be
cause tuberculosis is a germ disease.
but bad living conditions. exposure.
dampness. Nth. overcrOwdihg, break
down the vitality of the individual
and make him more susceptible To
Infection.
Moreover. there are many houses
which have long records of tubercu-
losis victims behind them. because
they have not been kept in proper
condition: because germs have
lodged in the filth that has collected
about the place and there has been
no attempt az disinfecuOn after tu-
1ercular patients have lived and died
ina the place. I have known houses
which have been occupied by from
TWO TO six successive families each
OF which has lost one OF more mem-
bsrs from tuberculosis
While the Anu-TuberculO .s
league has long recognized the po
tency OF bad housing conditions as d,
spreader of the white plague. it haas
been unable thus far 10 institute %
housing campaign in its own bchaif.
We have had 10 specialize along four
lines. education. sanatoria. visiting
nursing and open air schools bur we
hope soon 10 institute a fight against
bad housing.
Keep up the work i'm South Bend.
Whatever the Anu-Tuberculosis
league can do 70 help. it will be glad
% do"
Resident is Plensed
Early Monday morning a resident
OF Riverside drive who lives opposite
Little Italy" where wretched
state OF congestion exists and where
the river bank for years has been
made n dumping ground. called 20
congratulate The News-Times on its
efforts TO arouse public sentiment
against the existence of such condi-
tions
That place has been an eyesore
10 us for a long time. she said. but
10 seemed useless TO try TO get any
hing done about II. We are only
renters and haven't lived here very
long. but n has always been a puzzle
70 us 20 know why South Bend prop
erry owners viii permit such condi-
lions TO exist liz is ruinous TO their
property and Co the general appear
ance OF the city. Property owners
certainly pay high enough taxes IN
south Bend 10 get something done.
Why don't they get together"
Numerous others called up during
the day. in the majority Of cases 20
tell about some filthy spot that had
not been touched upon i'm Sundays
article. a fact which makes the more
apparent the necessity for a general
cleanup and a stringent enforce
ment OF adequate health and build
ir1 laws
Physicians. especially who per
haps more than any other citizens
have access TO every kind OF home.
evince a deep interest an and express
hearty approval OF better housing
campaign.
The only trouble with your irves-
tgation so far" said one physician.
lis that YOU spent entirely too much
on car fare All YOU have to do is
10 go right around the cepter OF
town and YOU will find conditions
worse than any you can find on the
outskirts. or course the correction
OF such conditions ana the main-
tenance of proper conditions I'm any
city is an everlasting job. Il doesn't
end with one cleanup. A constant
vigilance has 20 be maintained. That
has to be expected where good
health conditions are 90 prevail but
then I guess most any one would
agree that good health is worth it,"
Many OF the physicians OF the city
have offered 10 cooperate IN carry
iug the campaign 10 am end. Author
tiles OF the Associated Charities.
Visiting Nurse association. Chill
dren's Dispensary and Anu-Tuher-
culosis league are 81 one opinion as
10 the necessity for the cleanup and
have preferred assistance. stating
that any Improvement In housing
conditions I'm South Bend would for
Nard their work H.Eterially.
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