Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-21


school children; fifth, instruction in
the laws of health and home hygiene
by the Public Health nurses in the
homes. and by the modern health
crusade movement in the public
schools.
II dare to say that when these
measures have become effective. there
will dawn for the State of. Maine
a new era Of boys and girls OF physi-
cal, moral and spiritual stamina
never approached before in our State"
President Gulnac of the Chamber of
Commerce cited some data to prove
that health or the lack Of it among
employees, reacts on business and put
up to the organization the proposal
that some definite action be taken on
the matter. with view to presenting
suggestions and programs to the leg
islature. He took the ground that our
government is as good a5 We make
it and reminded his hearers that work
as well as talk is necesSary to accom-
plish things worth whils.
William A. Harris of the Maine
Public Health Association by way of
giving some concrete idea of rural
ideas and conditions on public health,
told of recent visit lie had made
to nearby grange, and of three facts
which had impressed him. In the first
place the grange told him not to lee
ture on child hygiene because there
were no children in the community;
the people Of the grange we're notice
ably lacking in good teeth: and their
faces showed an utter lacl: of joy and
cheerfulness. Mr.. Harris also men,
toned other deplorable situations in
the State, and expressed the opinion
that private charities ami such or
CARNATIONS must carry al and collect
and crystalize sentiment in these
places until the State can reach them.
He believes the county to be the
proper unit to work through because
it includes both city and country pop
ulations. and he pointed out that the
health work cannot be successfully
carried on unless it's funds. outside
those from the State. be collected in
an economical and business-like
fashion.
Henry Merrill of oPrtland praised
Mrs Ives and the work o: the health
organization, and criticized the hu-
man but foolish habit of doing many
things that are relatively unlmportant
and of letting the really vital things
slip by. He showed how the people
of the State pay heavy bills for prisons
and reformatories to take care of
grown people who have gone wrong.
wheE much OF the moral leI rosy might
be prevented through proper care OF
and work with children.
Henry A. Free Of Lewiston. treas
urer of the Chamber Of Commerce.
made the assertion that money is a
secondary consideration and proved it
by the fact that although his duty
had been to have the custody Of a
cashless treasury. the State Chamber
of Commerce and Agricultural League
has accomplished much valuable work
since it's organization. The method
Of action is the primary i" .lsideration.
said Mr.. Free. and urged that this
organization which is absolutely nom
partisan, continue to omit all party
color when it presents measures for
action to the legislature. He believed
the organization to be strong enough
to take the initiative in whatever it
wished to attempt and tc bank on
getting the support Of th.' people. If
its programs are wise. A non-politi-
cal body such as the Chamber of
Commerce can deal with the legisla-
ture without any strings being at
tached and without making any trades.
he said.
At the close Of the meeting the
State Chamber Of Commerce and Ag-
riculturaI League took a vote to en-
dorse the work of the Maine Public
Health Association and lis program,
Mrs. Ives explained that the COM
mittee appointed by the State Con-
ference Of Social Welfare at its re-
cent convention, to draw np definite
program, would be able to present it
within a few weeks.