Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-16
STATE HEALTH
Work in V arious
Phases Explained
BY Heads Of Departments Before
Public Health Nurses Meeting at
State Heuss-Nurses Gain Much
Vital information

State Heuss-Nursss Gain Much
Vital Information
State work along public welfare
lines was the theme Of the second
and final day Of the meeting Of the
Public Health Nurses, held at the
Senate chamber, State House. Al
though the work is yet in its infancy
and although the ranks Of the Public
Health Nurses are yet small in num-
ber yet the whole series of meet
ings was not lacking in one whit Of
enthusiasm so necessary to carry one
such a humane work. Miss Mary
Van Zile. field supervisor Of the Blu
reau of Public Health Nursing. Am
erican Red Cross, New England d.
vision. explained the sentiment of the
nurses in the desire in having the
meeting at the State House-that
they might get in closer touch with
the State officials and learn from
them so many phases Of the State
work which they feel SO necessary to
know. The feeling which exists be-
tween the State officials and the pub
lie health nurses here in the State
Of Maine are the most friendly. 1t
was further intimated that in other
states this feeling Of friendliness does
not exist.
Charities and Corrections work, the
progress Of the Mothers Aid, Health
work in Maine and Red Cross Nurses
as assistants to the State Depart
ment Of Health. work Of the Public
Health Service were among the sub
jects taken up by the heads Of the
various departments represented. The
outcome of the meetings might mean
to the nurses and to the State officials
cooperation for better results. The
work. as far as it has progressed
along the lines Of public health nurs-
ing in connection with the Red Cross
is wisely arranged.
The adaptability Of the peace time
workers of the Red Cross is a great
asset in the assistance to the State
and the possibility Of the uniting Of
forces. Then again the resourceful-
ness OF the State officials is no near
factor in the contemplated plans.
Secretary J. F. Bagley Of the State
Board Of Charities and Corrections
gave the Public Health Nurses "A
talk on the work of the State in con-
nection with public welfare work.
A pretty tribute was paid DR.
Gertrude Hall. supervisor Of the
Mothers Aid. by Mr.. Bagley. He
said. Miss Hall has done and is do
ing the major part OF the wor!. ir
this department. And he, as tn
Governor said last evening quoted tbs
Governor in saying that he wanted
everyone. before leaving the State
House. to become acquainted with
this gifted and sympathetic woman
who has charge Of the Mothers Ala"
DR.. Ge-tTuds Hall was the mex;
speaker. She said that, in her .un.
assuming manner, perhaps what they
desired was the gift and the SYM
pathy. rather than suggesting that
she possessed it.
The backing which the Governor
gives the work is one Of the great
est blessings in the work. was what
Miss Hall said. It has been her ex-
perience in previous work to hear
governors render eloquent lip sery-
ice in good causes, but she has not
seen a governor stand solidly back
Of child welfare work az has Gov
ernor Milliken.
Mothers Aid Is not a pension, {"
was Miss Halls most emphatic state.
mont In her first allusion to the sub
ject Of Mothers Aid. It 10 only aid
for dependent mothers. II a woman
loses her husband and receives $1,000
insurance which is without mortgage.
she does not need the State aid. But
II mothers do need the aid, the State
comes in merely as partner to bring
up the children. Mothers keep ac-
count books Of all the money that
they spend and there are some hne
books kept. the mothers being very
honest and conscientious in their
dealings. Just at present ,all the
money Of the Mothers Aid il being
used and no new mothers can be TAX
en- on until vacancy arises.
No mothers are aided who have
husbands at home unless the hus-
bands are totally incapacitated. The
State has appropriated $4,000 for
this work and in the work the State