The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-05-23

verted into normal state forest, said
land would be a capital worth at least
revenue Of $6,OOO,OO0. Before the COM
mencement of such work it is apparent
that the first step should be a soil sur
vey and a classification of the states
public land.
Public Domain Commission.
We have, today, no adequate inven-
tory of our resources and no Depart
ment authorized to do what ought to
be done to conserve and develop them
With 3o.ooo.ooo acres of land Of this
state remaining undeveloped, with it's
enormous iron deposits. with the I'M
limited water powers within it's bor-
ders, with little OR no information as
to It's topography, as to what particu-
lar sections of the state ought to be
developed, as to what kinds of soil are
to be found in the different communi-
to be constructed to be of the greatest
service for the present in connection
with flood relief, in the furnishing of
water power and in the reclamation Of
state lands and Of greatest service for
the future in connection with water
transportation and all the possibilities
of development therein involved, not
only for this state but for the whole
Northwest, it is clear that we need a
public domain commission.
Unnecessary Boards Should he Abol-
ished.
Without going too much into detail
in connection with discussion Of the
reorganization of our civil administra-
ton, wish to say that l am absolutely
in accord with any change that will
tend to eliminate unnecessary positions
and needless boards. By reason Of this
fact every appointment that has here
tofore been made by me has been made
with the understanding that acceptance
of the position is subject to any change
that you, as legislators, may make and
some appointments have been delayed
In order that legislation, tending to a
reduction in the number of offices,
might be facilitated and opposition to
changes reduced to the minimum.
Public Health.
The development of the resources of
the state Is important, but the preser-
walton of the health Of our citizens is
still more important. Last year we
appropriated only $4,000 to the State
Public Health Department. While we
appear to be willing to expend mil
lions to take care of the mental and
physical derelicts of the state, we spend
very little to help eliminate the causes
| of their unfortunate condition. The
modern revelations Of scientific medi-
cine are indicative of the opportuni-
ties Of the state for the improvement
| of the health and the prOlongation of
the lives Of the citizens We, of this
state, have not yet come to full reali-
cation Of what can be accomplished for
the prevention of disease and the pres
! ervation of life for we have neglected
| in a large measure the opportunities
| that have come to us through the med
ical discoveries of the present time.
| The sum contributed by our state to
it's department of health last session
meant an annual expenditure Of only
31s cents per capita. In spite Of it's
low appropriation, Minnesota holds
fourth place in efficiency, but it is i'm
possible for our health department
with such small amount as is now CIV
en- it to make as rapid progress as it
could do if more funds were made
| available for the advancement Of pub
| lie health. If necessary less money
should be appropriated to other de-
, partments in order that more might be
! used for the purpose of preventing the
! spread of disease through the enforce
ment of proper health regulations and
the necessary propagation of health
| education.
! Tuberculosis.
! The tuberculosis death rate4n Mime
sofa in 1915 was 1900. There are, at
, the present time, several counties anx-
; ious to build hospitals if half of the
cost were paid by the state as provid-
ed for in the bill passed in 1913, but
the funds for such a purpose have been
i exhausted. During the two-year period
prior to the date when the funds were
exhausted 80 counties applied for and
qualified to receive state aid. On Sept
1, 1915, the state had facilities for taxi
ing care of 454 patients. During last
year the number was increased to 875
The number that can now be taken
care Of in both public and private insti-
tutions is about &C per cent Of the num-
! Der who annually die from this pre-
ventable disease. 1t is said that before
| the anti-tuberculOsis work of Mime
sofa will have a decided effect upon
the death rate the state must be in q
| position to accommodate as many con-
sumptives as there are annual deaths
! from consumption.
Commission ON Public Health.
Because of the apparent lack Of in
| tereSC IN the matter or pubic health
and on account Of the failure on the
part of the state boards to properly
! cooperate in their work, some weeks
ago commission was appointed by
! the Governor to devise ways and means
of procuring harmonious efforts on the
part Of the different boards so that the
public health work in general and the
tuberculosis work in particular would
not be hampered and retarded. The
commission appointed has reported
certain excellent recommendations Of
which the following the the most i'm.
portant:
l. The State Board Of Health SHOULD
be reorganized and made to consist Of
i've instead Of nine members.
2. The State Board of Health should
be granted broad. general powers in.
stead Of specifying in detail in the Law
the limits of its duties.
3. The Board of Health should b,
empowered to appoint commissions
of public health
4. The present advisory commission
. should be discontinued and It's power.
and duties transferred to a new dtvi
sion of the State Board of Health to b,
headed by man especially trained i,
tuberculosis work.
S. All existing state financed activi
ties relating to public health should b,