The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-24
PRIDE IN PAST;
FAITH IN FUTURE
LUCAS MESSAGE
President Reviews Accomplish
ments of Old Administration
and Tasks for the New
SHOWS PERIOD OF REAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR CITY

Pride in Bismarcks past and faith
in it's future were the keynotes Of
President A. w. Lucas inaugural mes
sage, delivered at the initial meeting
of the new city commission last eve.
ming. The president commended his
co-workers for the good work which
they have done, and set for them i'm
portant tasks for the new term upon
which they are entering.
His address in full follows:
To the Honorable members OF the
Commission of the City of Bismarck:
Preparedness and cooperation
should be the keynote of the new ad-
ministration which is inaugurated this
evening. The citizens of Bismarck
have intrusted the management of the
city into our hands and it seems prop
er at this time to outline in general
way plans for the future and touch
briefly upon the record of the past
four years.
l desire to thank my colleagues for
their cooperation during the term
that has expired and earnestly request
a continuation of the same harmony
and team work.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
There is no more important depart
ment of the city than that devoted TO
the health Of the people. In the health
of a people lies the wealth of the land
and Of course its happiness.
take pleasure in calling attention
IN
the city health department under the
regime Of DR.. F. B. Strauss, especially
in view Of the meagre funds available
for this work. No epidemic has afflict-
ed the city and the low death rate is
one the citizens can we'll be proud OF.
Health authorities are agreed that
Bismarck is done radical injustice
In the present methods employed in
keping vital statistics. Deaths have
been credited to the Capital City in
advertently from other points in Bur-
leigh county. >
Then there is no proper distinction
drawn between resident and non-resi-
dent deaths. Before going further in
to discussion of health and santa
tion, desire to call attention to the
two hospitals, the largest and prob
ably the most efficient in the state.
These institutions have treated ap-
proximtely $4,000 patients in the last
five years. Approximately 5000 per-
sons year are treated, large per-
centage of whom are non-residents.
Many of them come here for treat
ment with ailments in an advanced
stage and the death rate naturally
among such number would be much
larger than among 5000 normal citiz-
ems of resident population. But in
making out the death certificates, a
very considerable number Of these
nonresident deaths among the hospi-
tai patients have been charged to Bis
marck, and the same has been true
Of deaths at the penitentiary.
But with all these Inaccuracies, Bis
marck makes commendable showing
according to the records of the state
board of health.
In 1915, the state board of health
records 81 resident and II non-resi-
dent deaths in Bismarck. In 1916, the
number of local deaths was 90 and
non-res1dents dying aggregated 95 or q
total Of 187. The last total includes
deaths Of ten persons who died in Bur
leigh county outside of Bismarck.
Only careful checking of vital sta
tistics will give the accurate data, but
in the face of all possible errors in
recording vital statistics, Bismarcks
showing is excellent and a fine tribute
to the general features of civic life
here which mitigate disease.
The vital statistics are being care
fully checked by the city health Of
ffcer who in due time will certify the
results with any recommendations he
may see ft to make. s
It is imperative for, the best inter
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