The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-13
FOR BETTER OR WORSE?


It Is always difficult and dangerous to go into
a town and criticise anything in it. Motives are
often misunderstood.
The federal health officials stationed here have
had their share of mistrust on the part of the
toWnspeople. No matter how thoroughly hon
est they may have been in attempting to carry
out their orders from superior officers there
have been those who would accuse them of ul-
terror motives; who would condemn their efforts
as uncalled for and would seek to discredit their
ability.
For every effect there must be cause. 1t is
hardly contested these days but that sanitation
pays. Everybody who has much knowledge of
modern affairs knows the large share it has had
in general progress. For instance, since 1898
every accomplishment in which this nation has
had hand has been made more possible by the
trained sanitarian who has gone with the pio-
neers and is still at work consolidating gains
made by civilization.
Now what is the effect the "objectionist"
would like to have in this community, and what
is the cause of their opposition to the reason
able improvements which make for health? No
doubt there are Interior motives It is believed
that the majority of the people are for the right
thing. 1t is evident that officials dare at
tempt to enforce what is not for the general well
fare which spells the correct procedure.
This brings us to the minority which could
still be split up into many factions. Their pur-
poses differ but their aims amount to the same
thing. Certain things for the public good are
to be thwarted because some few individuals
would be put to some inconvenience and possibly
have their gains slightly reduced from their al
ready wide margin.
No two communities are alike in all particu-
lars. Our city, despite recent years of prosperi-
ty, has yet to solve the big problem of housing
and sanitation which goes with it. 1t is not yet
a sscity Of homes" The majority Of families live
in rented houses It is estimated that there are
about 5000 dwellings of all kinds. If this is true
we know that not more than $500 of them have
sewer connections because by recent actual sur
vey nearly 5000 of them had so-called "earth
Closets most of them being open and main;
tanned in disgracefully insanitary codnition
Existing along with these are nearly 500 shallow
open or driven wells.
Many other existing evils could be enumerat-
ed, but it is believed that enough have been
pointed out to establish the case in question.
It appears that such conditions call for an ex-
tension of the sewer and water systems at owe
So they do, but again come solidly against
concrete facts. Is there a clear thinking per-
son who believes it is the best course to pursue
right now when remedy is needed? The des.
tiny of the community must be worked out slow
~ because there have been allowed to accunu-
late so many defects in affairs which should not
have been left undone.
The city officials have upon them the respons.
Utility of working out the methods whereby civic
faults will be corrected. In regard to the hous-
ing and sanitation question they find them.
selves confronted by certain interests which
are controlled by comparatively small number
-
in public controversy, and it is painful
even to resort to an enumeration of conditions
However, in the present case the people should
know that certain conditions do exist which any
self-respecting community should not long en-
dure The tendency is to blame the health of
ficials. In partial justice to them they are NOV
ing in vicious circle which is another way OF
saying that things go from bad to worse. Any