The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-05-24
HEALTH ENGINEER
FOR CITY TO Be
NAMED BY MAYOR
Paine Looking for Aide to Dr..
}. j. Durrett, Who Succeeds
Or. J. |. Andrews as Health
Department Chief.

Complete success for the city health
campaign was predicted Monday by
Mayor Rowlett Paine following his re-
turn Sunday from Washington and the
announcement that DR.. ]. j. Durrett
mad been selected as superintendent of
the city health department. The ap-
pointment of city sanitary engineer
VIII be the next step for Mayor Paine.
Ihls selection will be made Immediately
Df. Durrett takes office July /. Mean
while the mayor Is temporarily setting
aside active plans until he receives the
report of DR. Paul Preble's government
survey. expected within few days.
DR.. Durrett is typhoid and malaria
expert. Mayor Paine pointed out, and in
his dual position as city health super
intendent and professor of public health
work in the University of Tennessee
Medical college here, is ideally suited to
stamp out these and other diseases ex-
istent in this section.
Dr. Durrett was selected after months
of consideration by Mayor Paine, who
made a special trip to the East to con-
the mayor rendered the salary Of the
city, health superintendent, $4,000 an
nually, and that of the newly created
chair in the university which brings
$1,000 a year. Dr. Durrett had about
concluded to forego the public health
OF the importance of his taking the po-
sitfon here. For several months DIR.
Durrett has been engaged in sanitary
survey work at Charlottesville, Va.
During the war he was officer in charge
of health work in Virginia and had
charge of numerous camps and govern
ment stations. Regarding activities and
success in the latter position, DR.. Dur
rett was highly recommended by Dr.
T. II. Griffitts, OF the United States
health service at Norfolk.
A graduate of the University OF Ala
'bama and Harvard medical school, DR..
Durrett has held various public offices.
For several years he was in charge of
health work in Tuscaloosa county, Ala
bama, where he reduced typhoid deaths
from a large number to none. He is a
native OF Alabama and about 80 years
of age.
DR.. Durrett will arrive here some
time about June Is, and will acquaint
himself thoroughly with conditions in
Memphis before taking the office. Dr.
j. l.. Andrews the outgoing superin-
tendent, win remain until July l. DIR,
Andrews, when he resigned several
that he would continue in office until
suitable selection of his successor
could be made.
Activities in the university work will
commence when the fall sessions open
in September. DR.. McIver Woody. dean,
has expressed himself as highly salts
fled with the selection of DIR. Durrett.
The latter will conduct health lectures
and do practical work with the stu
dents. The embryo physicians will be
taken on city inspections when pre-
ventative methods will be explained In
this the sanitary engineer will have
charge with DR.. ,Durrett.
Mayor Paine conferred while in the
East with heads Of different hospitals
regarding his campaign. He intended
attending the general health confer
ence in Washington this week, but was
called home by telegram informing
him of the controversy with the city
firemen.