New Britain herald., 1917-09-12
Superintendent OF
HEALTH DEPT. HIGH
Members Of Board Believe $4,000
Salary Will Be Required

ing of the board of health which
was held yesterday afternoon At
the suggestion of M. H. Camp a
committee was appointed consisting of
G. H. Bodley, F. E. Riley and M. H.
Camp whose duty it will be. to find a
man who is capable and willing to
accept the SUPPLEMENTARY. In the
meantime DR.. Reeks will continue in
office until October 1 and if neces
sary for several weeks after that date
if a competent man to fill the place
cannot be found before the expiration
of his term.
AS to who will be selected to take
the Office is at present food for
thought. But it is known that unless
the salary which the present incum-
bent derives is increased materially the
search is liable to be a long drawn
out one. On account of the scarcity of
hysicians in this city practically every
physician considered competent for the
work is clearing considerably over
$4,000 a year, the present salary, it is
said. DR.. H. T. Bray stated that in the
past year four doctors had died, four
had been commissioned and only one
new physician had established a prac-
tice in the town.
DR.. Bodley told how he had In view
two men for the office and had inter-
viewed them. Both the men he said
were able practitioners and had estab-
Iished good regulations here and were
temperamentally fit for the office.
However, neither of them would be
willing to serve the city for less than
$4,000 a year. He thought that they
were perfectly justified in asking for
the aforementioned salary. In this
the mayor and all present were
unanimous in thinking that $4,000 per
apnum was a fair salary. Mr.. Camp
was of the opinion that the doctors
successor should not receive over
$4,000 when he accepted the office.
Towards the close of the meeting
Mr.. Riley asked DR.. Reeks if, at the
time of his resignation, he had any
one in mind to fill the vacancy DR..
Reeks replied that he had thought of
Doctors Bodley and Bray as they were
the most logical men for the office.
Both these men, he stated. had had
some experience with the work that
was carried on in the health depart
ment during his and past administra-
tons. 1t was decided that the other
two members of the committee would
have a talk with DIR. Bodley relative
to the prospects Of his accepting the
position.
A question was raised as to whether
the common council could grant an in
crease in salary at any time during
the year. The question was settled by
the mayor who stated that an in
dividual could ask for an increase at
certain times Of the year but If that
group of officials thought that the
duties Of office warranted an in
crease it could be granted. At the
suggestion of the mayor the matter
was laid over for a week Or so it is
probable that the board will meet
it's meeting on the 10Th of this month.
Hydrophobia Treatment.
There was considerable discussion
anent the money which had been ex-
pended recently for the Pasteur
treatment. All cases Of hydrophobia
which have developed in this city
have been sent to New York for
treatment at the cost of $50 each.
The authorities at Washington Of
fered the treatment gratis but it
was sent in cords, which, because
there is no expert chemist in town,
could not be used. Furthermore
there are no facilities to administer
past the state eventually paid the
required $50 but under a new ruling
the law has gone out of effect. The
city at present has to stand the brunt
of the expenses. DR.. Reeks stated
that at present there were two cases
which should be treated Immediately.
We'll the city can stand the $50 ex-
pense treat the men first and let's
talk expense later" commented the
mayor.
A bill from James Parker of STAN
ley Quarter for $50,32 was presented
for approval Some time ago he and
family were quarantined and the bill
was for groceries, milk, etc, which
was bought during his confinement.
1t met with general approval and it
was voted to pay it.
Olaf Larson also presented a bill on
a somewhat similar plea. 1t was for
$50. Because Mr.. Larson, who owns
a milk route had suffered greatly
from a pecuniary standpoint by los
ing his customers and the profits de-
rived from the sale of milk during
his illness it was voted to grant him
similar sum.
The milk ordinance which was sent
to the common council some time ago
has not been changed. 1t relates to
the keeping in bottles all milk which
is used by restaurants and soda dis
pensaries. Before it can be passed
the phraseology will have to be
changed.
Reports showed that the bills for
the month were 81, 494.65.
Draft Exposes Unfit Men.
On the front page Of the monthly
bulletin Of the board of health some
good advice to civilians which reads
as follows:
1.-The examination Of those called
in the selective draft shows an ap-
palling number Of men physically de-