Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-01-03

Ties. as to what dFaIn1T5 canals ought
to be constructed to be Of the greatest
service for tho present in connection
with food 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 be Abol-
ished.
without going too much into detail
in connection with q discussion of the
reorganization Of our civil administra-
ton, wish to say that 1 am absolutely
in accord with any change that will
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
in order that legislation, tending to q
reduction in the number of Offices,
might be facilitated and opposition to
changes reduced to the minimum.
Public Health.
The development of tho resources Of
the state Is important. but the preser-
walton Of the health of our citizens IL
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
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 tho citizens. We, of this
state. have not yet come to a 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
1cal discoveries OF the present time.
The sum contributed by our state to
its department of health last session
meant an annual expenditure of only
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
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.
The tuberculosis death rate in Mime
sofa in 1915 was 1900. There are, al
the present time, several counties anx.
ious to build hospitals If half of the
cost were paid by the state as provid.
cd for in the bill passed in 1918, but
the funds for such a purpose have beer
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
I, 1915, the state had facilities for TAX
ing care of 454 patients: During last
The number that can now be taker
care of in both public and private insti'
tutions is about 66 per cent of the num-
Der who annually die from this pre-
ventable disease. It is said that before
the anti-tuberculosis work of Mime
sofa will have a decided effect upo1
the death rate the state must be in
position to accommodate as many con
sumptives as there are annual death:
from consumption.
Commission on Public Health.
Because of the apparent lack Of In
terest in the matter Of public health
and on account of the failure on tn,
part of the state boards to properl.
cooperate in their work, some week.
ago commission was appointed b.
the Governor to devise ways and means
Of procuring harmonious efforts on tn,
part of the different boards so that thu
public health work in general and tn
tuberculosis work in particular woul,
not be hampered and retarded. Tn
commission appointed has reported
certain excellent recommendations o
which the following the the most i'm
! portant:
l. The State Board of Health shoul
be reorganized and made to consist o
ave instead of nine members
2. The State Board of Health slloul
be granted broad, general powers in
| stead of specifying in detail in the la1
the limits of it's duties.
3. The Board of Health should b
empowered to appoint a commissions
of public health.
4. The present advisory comnissto
should be discontinued and it's power
and duties transferred to a new divi
sion of the State Board of Health to
headed by man especially trained i
! tuberculosis work.
s. All existing state financed activl
ties relating to public health should