Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1919-07-07
HEALTH BOARD
HEAD DEFENDS
HIS PROGRAM
Says Passing Examination by
DR.. Thompson is of Little
Importance

An answer to recent CRITICISMS
of the Health Board is submitted
today by DR.. Chas. I. Silk, pres
ident of the Board. DR.. Silk makes
clear that he is speaking only for
himself, not officially as president
of the board. The doctors princi-
pal points are lack of co-opera-
ton, politics and apathy
and indifference on the part Of
the public.
The letter follows:- sfkd
EDITOR EVENING NEWS:
Anent an editorial in recent issue
of the Evening News entitled Making
"a Farce of It," in which the Board
of Health is roundly criticised, I might
state at the very outset, that 1T is not
my intention to gloss over anything or
to whitewash the Health Board, for
am a poor hand at such business
Moreover, I believe in constructive
criticism as one of the best means OF
stimulating to sound reaction. 1t is
rather for the purpose of analyzing
the situation and clearing up some OF
the statements made in said editorial
in order to prevent or correct any
false impressions which otherwise
would surely be formed by the public
at large. 1t is with this end in view
that take the liberty of addressing
you on the subject and ask you to
kindly give it due publicity.
First as to DIR. C. s.. ThompSon'S ap-
pointment as health officer of the city
Of Perth Amboy. At the time when
the sentiment of the public was so
much aroused by the statement of DR..
Wohlfram that Perth Amboy wSs a
rotten hole; that .the Board of Alder
men was practically forced to increase
the health budget to $4,000, it should
be remembered that the city fathers
stipulated that this amount was forth
coming solely on the condition of Mr..
Wilseys removal as head of the
Health Department. The members Of
the Board of Health were strongly
opposed to such dictation from the AL
dermanic Board although it was
pointed out on the quiet after the
Increase was assured, the Health
Board could then do as it pleased
about ousting Mr.. Wilsey from his po-
Bition. This underhanded method of
acting in bad faith did not appeal to
the -majority of the Health Board
members, besides it was very plain
that if such thing was attempted, Mr..
Wilsey's position would be made un-
fenable for him by his opponents and
so nullify all the good that might 9TH
erwise have been accomplished by
such a procedure. So the Health
Board perforce had to look for new
appointee and it was found that un-
less we got an out of town man at a
minimum salary of $4,000, and we did
have such applicants, there was no
one with experience and qualifications
anywhere near like Mr.. Wilsey, who
would be available for the job. Per-
sonally 1 favor a good outsider, as
long as no local man with such quail
ifications was to be had. But here
again the opposition was very strong
against any outsider no matter who
he may be.
The passing of DR.. 'Thompson's ex-
animation is of little Importance if
viewed in proper light for granting
that he had done so, he would still be
lacking the experience which can
years.
nurses fioundering had in mind the
necessity of supervising nurse; one
experienced in public health nursing,
at a somewhat increased salary, say
about $500 per year. This is abso-
lutelv needed if we are to get the besr
results. This was contemplated when
we first started out and was mention
ed on several occasions by myself but
am unable to assign any good reason
for not having procured the services
of such nurse except the fear on the
part of the members of the board of
over-drawing their budget.
Now as to some general statements
such as: "But six months have now
passed under the new regime and the
people have right to expect some
thing worth while to show for the ad-
ditional $4,000 appropriated at the
beginning of the year" and THE
whole program has been thrown to
the Winds" etc. Permit me to say
MT. Editor that it takes a great deal
more than many times $4,000 and a
health officer. and Board of Health
to back him, to accomplish real results
(Continued on page 81