Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-10-26
NOW FOR CONSTRUCTIVE WORK

While 1t has Dee extremely uSIStelh W hSdA SuSh
words as DIR. Wolfram, of the United States Public Health Service,
has been giving the people of Perth Amboy during the past few days,
it I'll gratifying to see that the great majority of the people, including
the city officials, are big enough and broad enough to take the chas-
tisement and make a determined start toward remedyng conditions
1t sometimes takes a hard jolt to arouse a person to his sense Of
duty. Perth Amboy has had the jolt. 1t is possible that had DIR.
Wolfram spoken in any more gentle manner little attention would
have been paid to him. He started right off by hitting a stunning
blow between the eyes, so to speak. The first impulse was to resent
the attack, flare up and fight back. The whole city was right on
edge in a minute. By what right did this stranger come into Perth
Amboy and tell the people to their faces that the city was c rotten
holeY' The nerve of It'll Preposterousl outrageousl No one else
had ever spoken in such plain and forceful language before.
To be sure, others had said that conditions here were not what
they should be; that there was room for a big Improvement; that
there should be many reforms, but they always taken care not to
offend d. insult anyone; they have been rather polite about it. The
people have agreed with them, perhaps, in a perfunctory manner, but
as nothing more was said everyone went on about his business and
nothing was ever done.
Now comes a man who is not given to pussy-footing. He is mere
for a specific purpose and he cares not whose feelings are hurt. He
comes out boldly and calls a spade a spade. He does not mince words
in pointing out the ctys faults; he gets the city fighting mad and
something is about to be accomplished. l
While all were inclined to resent the slr on the city on which
thew have taken o much pride. a second, sober thought brought home
the realization that DIR. Wolfram was, in a large measure, correct
The people dislike to be told the facts in such a brutal manner u "
seems that that was the only manner that would accomplish the pur-
pose. They now begin to realize that there are sections OF NE Guy
where they never went and do not care to go II they were OCCASION
ally compelled to visit such sections they held their nose and got away
as quickly as possible. Upon doing a little investigating themselves
thew cot some inside information as to how "the other half lives,
to quote the late Jacob Riis; IL. mu Ar roauzea
that all are, in a sense, responsible for these conditions. the city
In the school room with other children and it is realized what risks
are taken Bv going into the average eating place in the city re
voting conditions n seen that make one close his eyes II ne would
continue the meal that is set before him. Ill begins 10 Woeis'ah
how it is that people get sick.
Instead of resenting DR.. Wofram's remarks, the people swal
low their pride; take their medicine and begin to consider ways and
means to improve conditions. |
TT is~altogeher to the credit of the Board of Health that, after
receiving the drubbing that the members received from DIR. Wolfram,
thew Immediately elected him a assistant health officer OF the city
and took steps calling upon the government service to make a sanl
tary survey of the city in order to furnish a constructive program
whereby action can be taken to remedy the conditions that are SO
nauseating to strangers and to which local people have grown hard
ened.
Having received the jolt that has thoroughly aroused everyone
and having swallowed the bitter dose that has been handed to all, IL
is time now to settle down to real work that will make such criticism
impossible in the future. .ve,,
weeks They have come here as ambulance drivers, as Red Cross
workers and as social welfare workers. They were attracted here
W the explosion to bring relief and assistance to the stricken people.
Their HELM w gratefully received. These people have had an un-
usual opportunity to see conditions in the city IS they actually are
Without exception they have one and all declared that they are abso-
luhly bad. These people have departed carrying with them an un-
pleasant impression of Perth Amboy. Whenever they hear the name
Of the city mentioned they are going to make unfavorable comment.
The only means of of-setting this is to let the world know that Perth
Amboy is awake to the real state of affairs and that radical steps
have been taken to clean up; that a sanitary survey has been called
for so that a definite program might be mapped out and pursued
With this fact announced broadcast, with Perth Amboy perhaps lead
ng a nationwide movement for sanitary reform, the injury that has
already been done can be overcome.
These steps the authorities have already taken. Let the work
go L. Nothing but good can come of it. If the people have the
pride in Perth Amboy that they claim to have, they will welcome the
shakeup rather than resent outside interference.
This city has grown by leaps and bounds. Extensive improve
ments have been made and the people have delighted to boast of the
progress made. But they overlooked that which now is realized to
be the most important of all-pubGc health. They see now that with
out health all other improvements amount to nought. AT last they
are OF the right track-frst Of all, health. The point is to keep
going.