The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-21

i anu OTdhSeDuTS counties ltNmeQlate-
ly made application for the survey
and made the appropriations required
to obtain the cooperation of the State
Board.
| The attitude Of the Sumter County
Board was never understood by q
great many citizens of the county
who earnestly desired the survey as
a step toward improving health con-
ditions throughout the county, and
they were not willing to give up the
effort to obtain 1t, so they requested
DIR. Hayne to renew his offer. This DR..
Hayne did. Obtaining a special appro-
priation from the International Health
Board for the Sumter County survey,
on condition that the county make the
appropriation Of $4,000. The matter
was again taken before the County
Board Of Commissioners about two
weeks ago. and. as will be remember
ed. the board stated that in the event
that the appropriations Of $4,000 by
the State Board Of Health and $4,000
by the International Health Board
were positively guaranteed, and fur
ther provided that the County Legis-
lative delegation would assure tho
board that an appropriation by the
board would be validated at the next
session OF the legislature, then the
board would give the matter further
cosideration.
This Is now the situation: The ap-
preparation Of $4,000. each, by tho
State Board Of Health and the Inter
national Health Board is positively
guaranteed. the County Board of Com
missioners Is tentatively committed to
the appropriation by the county of
| $4,000, II the members of the legisla-
ture will pledge themselves to have
the appropriation properly validated.
Whether or not the sanitary survey is
made seems to hinge upon the po-
sition Of the members Of the legisla-
ture. Having once recommended the
appropriation, It would seem that the
legislators would not now reverse
themselves. and It is hoped that the
result 'R the conference between the
Legislators and the directors Of the
Chamber OF Commerce will be a de
cision by the legislators to give the
assurance asked by the Board 0
Commissioners as q condition prece- |
dent to further consideration of the
appropriation.
The need Of health survey, the
need Of better sanitation and the in
auguration OF a countrywide cam
paign to improve health conditions
and to eliminate insofar as Is humanity
possible sickness. suffering and death
from preventable diseases are mat
ters that are not open for discussion
or dispute. We all know that condi.
tions could be improved and that in
telligent and well directed effort will
accomplish these things. Consequent
ly 1t Is difficult to understand why
there should be opposition 70 the sur
vey. The matter OF expense is not SO
great as to be seriously urged as the
chief obstacle to the undertaking, for
Sumter county spends $4,000 for other
less important things with scarcely q |
thought Of expense and without con-
sideration OF the fact that for every |
dollar that Is spent taxes must he
levied. The opposition to the health
survey must be due to failure to
realize that 1t Is Of direct and immc-
date practical value and that money |
spent intelligently to improve sani-
tary conditions. to eliminate prevent
able diseases and to teach the people |
how to keep themselves healthy will
annually save for those people ten |
times what 1t will cost to do this nee
essary work Of inspection and instruc- |
ton.
If the United States Department. of
Good Roads should come to Sumter
county and lay a proposition before
tho County Board of Commissioned !, s
to give the county $4,000 to build u
good road. provided the county az
propirated $4,000 additional to heip
along the good work. do you imagine
the offer would be declined wieh
scant thanks? Don't you know the
o"er would be accepted on the spot
Isn't good health as important as
good roads? What is the use of good
ROADS II the people are not healthy
ana strong and able to use them ard
derive pies sure from them? The
question Is up to the legislative dele