Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-11-17
LET'S KNOW THE FACTS

assistance possible.
Health Officer Thompson's warning that the health au-
thorites would not tolerate any unjust criticism of Perth Am
boy is rather unnecessary. It night lead to the suspicion that
the health authorities knew Of some spots that were not what
they should be and they were afraid that they would be ex-
posed.
1t was just a year ago that Perth Amboy was called a
"rotten hole" and while it was not pleasing to hear there was
plenty Of evidence brought forth to make us realize that con-
ditions were far from what they should be.
As a direct result Of the agitation last year the Health
Department had its appropriation doubled for this year with
the idea of cleaning up the city and removing the stigma placed
upon it. The Red Gross survey will, in a sense, reveal just
what has been accomplished and the people will be able to get
from a disinteresled source a report on what they have got for
their money.
1t is not to be expected that the city has been made per-
feet. 1t is realized that everything that should be done could
not be accomplished in a year. 1t will be remembered that
those who made the survey here a year ago and who so bit
terly criticized the conditions that they found, declared that
at least $4,000 was necessary to do the work required. Only
half of this sum was given the Board of Health, consequently
we cannot expect too much.
1t is highly desirable that competent health officials of
The city accompany the Red Cross workers while they are here,
not so much to see that The city is given a square deal, for that
is to be expected, but that the local health authorities may have
the advantage of the advice and counsel of the Red Gross work
ers who, being engaged in this sort of work i'll all parts of the
country, ought to be able to give much valuable information.
Besides, strangers coming into the city, being entirely dis
Interested, are apt to find things that might have been over
looked by those constantly on the job here. The local authori-
ties would have these things pointed out to them and they
would see The conditions as they appear to others.
It must not be overlooked that the Board of Health is on
trial this year. The promise was made last year that if SUI
ncient progress was shown with such an increase in the ap-
preparation as was allowed for this year, mere money would
be granted next year. / lis highly desirable, therefore, for the
Of Health to make as good a showing as possible.
We know that the staff of visiting nurses has been in
creased. fhaf the rnnOrt on the milk inspection has been pub
lfshed informing the public as to the standards maintained,
and several clinics have been established. All of this IS good
work. The latest move of the health board in arranging to
furnish milk at cost, on recommendation of the visiting nurses,
TO the families that cannot afford to buy a sufficient quantity
for their needs at the present retail prices, is a most com
mendable move and shows that the authorities, under the lead
ership of DR.. Charles l. Silk, the president of the health board,
are thoroughly awake to the needs of the city.
There is every reason why the health authorities should
welcome such a survey as the Red Gross proposes to make
here. Perth Amboy is not afraid of criticism. We are well
aware Of our short comings. We ought to be only too glad to
have the defects pointed out to us by a competent authority.
The disgrace comes in not taking proper action once the
defects are brought to our attention. 1t is not so much being
shown up in a bad light that Injuries a city as it is that, being
made aware of the harmful conditions, nothing is done tc
remedy them.
Perth Amboy has suffered greatly because of some of the
conditions that have existed here, and we have not yet sue.
ceeded in throwing off the reputation thus gained. Nearly
every Perth Amboyan who has travelled to any extent and who
came in contact with people who have had any dealings will
this city, has received a knock about Perth Amboy and the loca
person has had to be on the defensive at once.
1t is only by recognizing the conditions as they are anC
making every effort to remedy them and letting the world know
that we have remedied them that we can remove these pre-
JUDGES.
Outside inspectors came here last year and called us
"rotten hole" We were forced to blush with shame at some
of the disclosures. If the Red Gross survey this year will show
decided improvements the reputation of the city has been jus
that much enhanced. And if, another year, another survey il
made by outsiders and conditions are found still better, it viii
not be long before Perth Amboy will be known all over thu
country as an ideal city for healthfulness and sanitation.
Health is the first essential in the progress and prosperi!
of any community. Every citizen, no matter how humble, i
entitled to decent living conditions and decent surroundings
If there are those who are too Indifferent or too mean to clear
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