Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-03

FeSents the cost Of soiieitins buai-
liess IN not juStifable charge
against insurance which IL made
compulsory by law. A comparison OF
the premiums paid to insurance eofns
panies with the aEneussts actually
paid for compensation to workfnGmen
in ous own and other states nd
cateE what seems 10 be large
margin In the case q compulsory IN.
suranec. reeeMMelAd that the in
dustrial accident commission be
given Authority to tx the rates of
insurance to be charged BY casuisy
companies doing business IN Maine.
and that optional state insurance be
provided for unless you feel certain
that the authority to fix rates Will
in Itself be 4 sufficient gva rantee
a4atnst excessive rates.
In order that the state may Get
good example 10 private employers.
suggest that general authority bs given
for the retirement or employees Of the
state with pensions after long periods
Of continuous service and for the pay
ment Of sick benefits within such limits
as may be provided in the law and with
the approval OF the Governor and coun-
ell upon the recommen iat!on OF the
head Of the department concerned.
Dependency
The main purpose OF social insurance
10 to prevent dependency and it is pos-
sible that a complete program, operating
under ideal conditions might avert de-
,tt. tb~~ 40,
lief Of dependency in It's various Forms
IL a proper and humane chargs upon the
public treasury. The last Legislature
enacted a law providing for State aid
to the mothers OF dependent children.
This law has amply justified Itself and
has been admirably administered by the
state Beard Of Charities and corres-
tons. Its terms should be made some
what more elastic in the amount Of aid
allowed in individual cases. and the age
limit for the dependent children SHOULD
be raised to ls years. l am satisfied
that the present method of caring for
neglected children through county
agents could be improved
The quality az care given to the poor
in city and town almshouses has very
much improved during the past few
years, but there is room for further i'm
provement and the average cost. espec-
tally in the smaller aInshouses, is I'M
acubtedly excessive. l urge you to con-
slider legislation permitting and encour
aging the combination OF towns into
larger units for the care OF paupers at
central a1f,shouses.
health
The war has brought lis a new con-
ception of the value of numan life and
has emphasized the Importance OF SAM
tation and the prevention OF disease.
The last Legislature authorized q con-
siderable expansion in our department.
OF public health and the wisdom Of this
course has been fully demonstrated.
The influenza epidemic revealed the
necessity OF giving Increased powers to
the State department in eases CT emer-
genry. II is also exceedingly desra bic
that towns be induced to place them
selves under the supervision OF experts
trained in public health and sanitation.
I recommend a method analogous to
that through which expert supervision
Of the public schools was secured, that
is. the enactment of a law authorizing
towns to combine into districts for the
purpose Of employing public health off,
GERS and providing that part OF the sal
airy Of such officers shall De paid by the
state.
must also renew the recommended
ton made two years ago that some ef-
fective method be devised for prevent
ing the sale Of milk from diseased cows.
1t is absurd 10 go on enduring the loss
Of life IN our state from tuberculosis
and spending vast sums Of money at
tempting to check and cure The disease
without forbidding the sale Of milk
from diseased cows.
The most startling revelation Of the
war from the standpoint OF public
health was tho fact That one.,hrd of
the young men called for service under
the selective draft were incapa citatei
by reason Of physical defects or under
development which might have been
prevented by proper medical superv;
sion and treatment during their school
years. Whatever policy may be adopt.
Ell regarding military training. it IS
clea-'y' our ,,u:y 10 Insist upon lenta.
and medical examination and treatment
OF school children as We'll as proper
physical exercise and playground ac-
tivities under competent supervision.
Education
In addition to phrsiea! fitness, an
educational program adequate for the
times will lay special emphasis upon
industrial and vocational training, ex-
tension OF agricultural education to
farming tDnimunitieS. reduction of Hit
erac. ana Development q? Ainericanism.
Other languages than English will Of
course he laugh. in secondary schools
ami colleges ,or their cultural and com
,nerciai value. but tine time has come to
insist tia. ali instruction in elementary
Subjects Fa given III no other than In
the English language. The American
i7atinn program should also include
further expansion of our system of eve
mig and part-tilne schools for adults
al foreign birth The same method
should le followed Tor the elimination
OF iliiterary.
Sufficient authority should be given at
this session for any modification in the
administration OF state schoo, funds
whirh might he necessary to meet the
terms Of She Smith bill now pending be-
fore Congress. II this bill is passed a
consile rable amount OF Federal money
VT, become available tcr educational!
wort: In Maine and only slight modii'ca-
TORS OF our present system Will be nee
essary.
The outstanding educational problem