The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-01-15

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this conservative and iron-clad pro-
vision OF the law has denied its ad-
vantageS TO the very class in need
OF the states fostering care. The
l9l7 amendments to this law re-
duced the rate OF interest on the
land to be sold to maintain the
loan fund, TO a point below the
rate on government bonds, and at
iour per cent. Under present and
prospective conditions there is
neither a home nor a foreign de-
mand for such securities. The sue
ceSsful operation OF this law means
much for the state, but it is more
than mere administrative OF eco
nomic policy. It's practical and sue
ceSStul operation is OF vital import
ance, not only to those who take
advantage OF its porvisions, but it
should awaken and enlist the hearty
support OF every banker, land-own-
er, school teacher, and busines man,
for il is both community and state
builder.
Public Health
The matter OF public health and
the provisions for safeguarding the
people OF Oklahoma against disease
and death should receive the most
special and thorough consideration
OF the members OF the Legislature.
The ravages OF the recent terri
Bile epidemic, which has taken toll
OF the lives of many OF our citizens,
has emphasized in an appalling
way the inadequacy OF the re-
sources available to our State
Health Department, both as re-
CARDS the size OF the organization
and the equipment at its disposal.
| recommend that you materially
increase the appropriation for the
use OF the state health commission
er and the proper reorganization
and enlargement OF his staff to the
end that he may be equipped at all
times to protect the lives and health
OF our people.
In this connection, | would call
your especial attention to the fact
that Oklahoma is far behind many
other states in dealing with the raw
ages OF tuberculosis. This dread
disease is claiming thousands oi
victims in our state, and many
thousands OF others are impoyer-
ished and almost helpless because
OF this disease. Many OF the pa
tients who are suffering IRON tu-
berculosis have reached that stage
in their conditions where they are
constant menace and source OF
infection to members OF their fam
lies, or healthy persons with whom
they are obliged to come in contact,
and this causes the spread OF the
disease among those who would
otherwise be sound and healthy
citizens.
Many other states have been able
to greatly reduce the death rate OF
their citizens from tuberculosis by
the construction OF sanatoria and
hospitals in which the afflicted ones
may be assisted to a permanent
cure, or in any event, may be cared
for in comfort and without en-
dangering the health OF other per-
sons. | therefore urge you to en-
act such legislation as will pro-
vide for the construction and main
tenance OF sufficient and proper
santoria to enable the health au-
thorities to successfully combat the
growing ravages OF this disease.
| would recommend that you pro-
vide a special Bureau OF Tubercu-
losis, in charge OF an expert on that
subject, who shall be under the au-
thority and direction OF the state
health commissioner.
In this connection, | desire TO
call your attention to the splendid
work, during the past year, by the
health authorities OF the state in
connection with the federal gov
ernment in the matter OF combat
ting the i'll effects OF the so-called
social evil, or in other words, vener-
cal diseases. The prevalence OF
this trouble, as disclosed by the rec
ords OF the army, came as a dis
tinct shock to the average American
citizen, and the danger to civili-
cation cannot be over-estimated.
The publicity program as adopted
by the federal and state authorities
has proved OF untold benefit. and
should be continued, especially as
an educational factor in the solu-
ton OF this vexatious problem. Our
present laws are inadequate, and |
trust they will be strengthened, and
| urge the adoption OF the model
laws prepared by the federal gov
ernment, because they seem not
only comprehensive, but also be-
cause they tend to uniformity in
legislative enactments, which, in
this case, is of very great import
ance.
While under the heading OF pub
lie health, ! desire to call your at
tention IN the verv vvide-enread