Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-16
DAILY KENNEBEC JOURNAL WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY ls; 1921

KENNEBEC JOURNAL WE
the country, while Maine showed but
a 3 per cent increase. The women
of the State place health first and
feel that no stronger attraction to
outsiders nor no better investment
for the people OF Maine can be made
than a liberal health appropriation
In Piscataquis County
E. N. Hamiin Of Milo. lumber
man of prominence In that section
and connected with health work
through the Piscataquis County
Health Association Of which he is
spoke in favor of the en-
tire health budget as presented by
the commissioner, with special en-
phasis on the development Of local
health work. public health" said
Mr.. Hamlin, like individual health.
is the keystone of progress and sue
cess, and Maine needs the money
asked for to develop public health
work and accordingly to increase her
own efficiency and success"
Women's Organizations
Mrs. Howard Ives of Portland, sep
resenting the women of the State
through the various organizations of
women in which she is interested,
and Particularly as executive secre-
tary of the Maine Public Health As
sociation, spoke. Money to the Health
Department for the development of
Child Welfare work and public health
MI NJ In 70 70 vxron rn1oo
to the Public Health Committee.
Preventive work, constructive work
in child life was the keynote of her
talk. 'aThe women of Maine" said
Mrs. Ives, recognize the need for
economy but do not feel that the
place for economy to start is with
the health of the people. The De-
partment of Health is the only de-
partment, the failure of whose ap-
preparation is a matter of life and
death. The women of the State ask
that the Committee on Public Health
recommend the granting of the $685.
600 which the Budget Committee
failed to recommend for increase in
the health appropriation. At pres
ent more money is spent on the
brook where fish spawn than in the
pre- natal care. of the mothers of
Maine. This is not a partisan mat
ter and is one behind which stands
every woman in Maine. The health
appropriation which is a matter of
life and death is not an extrava-
gance, for Maine cannot afford to
let disease persist unchecked and
children die"
Dr.. Bristol's Viewpoint
Public health is not fad nor a
fancy said DIR. L. D. Bristol, COM
missioner of health at is and must
continue to be one of the great fun
damental activities of the State. All
activities of the State are important
but my plea is for proper attention
to the relative values of these vari-
Gus activities. Put first things first. If
the physical welfare and mental
welfare of the people of Maine are
of prime importance, then public
health and public education should
have first interest and financial sup
ports
To-day, the relation of the State
Department of Health to this Legis-
lature is analogous to that of a sales
man to the prospective buyer. You
are in a sense considering the pur-
chase of health for the people of
Maine, through recommendations
for a wise and adequate appropria-
ton to carry on the work of this de-
partment. Your decision must be
eof
public health work and a feeling
that this need is more imperative
than many other needs; and a feel
ing that you and the people of
Maine will get your moneys worth
from whatever appropriation you
may make.
1.-THE present statutes give the
commissioner of health and the, pub
lie health council all necessary au-
thority in organizing the department
of health. shaping it's policies and
picking it's personnel, so that the
chief thing needed is not more power
but more money for further develop
ment as planned. Money is needed
to put into effect plans for the con-
servation of the health and life of
the people of Maine. This bill now
in hearing was drawn upon this
basis.
ut may not be proper for me to
argue upon the point OF increase of
salary for the commissioner of
health. Since 1917, the commission
ers' salary has been 1000 and it
20 Z
after three or more years of service
which co-workers pronounce salts
factory, such an official is naturally
of greater value to the State.
Removing the limit of salary pos
sible for directors Of divisions in
tended in the suggested change in
the law establishing minimum of
$1,000 rather than the present max
imum of $500 for such officials,
such change being made with the
understanding that readjustment of
salary will always be within the ap-
preparation accorded the department
for salaries. Some of the division
directors and district health officers
have already intimated to the COM
missioner that their resignation will
be in order if increase in salary over
the present $500 maximum is not
granted.
Further sections Of this bill have
to do with increasing the approprfa-
ton of the department in accord
ance with the budget submitted to
the budget committee. 1 believe that
the work of the department can be