Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-06

BnOul0 not re enlarged. IL mas presented
a problem to every General Assembly.
The buildings are antiquated, part of
them are insanitary, fire traps. If 1t is
decided to retain the Central Hospital
at its present location, steps should be
taken for the destruction of some OF the
buildings. If it should be decided to
remove the institution from indianapolis,
land should be purchased and construc-
ton begun at an early date, with the
definite purpose Of selling the land oc-
cupled by the present institution. The
State ought not, under the guise of a
colony for the Central Hospital, or in
any other way, be committed to the con-
struction of an additional hospital.
Under the present laws there Is no
means for transferring to any other In
stitution inmates of the Soldiers and
Sailors Home at Lafayette who have
become Of unsound mind. 1t is inevitable
in a population having an average age
in excess of sixty years, that many
should become mentally defective. Thirty
five Of the inmates at this institution are
insane, many OF them violently so. The
trustees have recommended that a hOspi-
tai be constructed there, for the accom-
mediation Of the insane. This should not
be done. The laws should be so amend
ed that any inmate of the home might,
upon the request of the trustees and the
comma ndant, be transferred by order OF
the Governor to any existing hospital
for custodtal care and treatment. The
soldiers of the World War are cared for
in our present hospitals. The inmates OF
the Soldiers Home would receive bet
ter care and treatment in the States
hospitals than they possibly could re
ceive in a separate institution erected
and maintained in connection with the
home. This would result further in
greater economy to the State because
the cost Of operating an insane hospital
for q few inmates that would develop at
the Home would Outrun any possible
benefit to them.
The care OF the health of the people
Is the most important question with
which the General Assembly has to deal.
Modern science Is directed toward the
prevention of disease and stopping the
needless waste of human life. 1t is well
understood that the application of san
itary science will curb these preventable
deaths, will prevent the spread of cpl
denies and will save the State every
year thousands Of lives needlessly sacri-
feed through lack Of sanitation.
We need In Indiana a new health law
which will take into consideration all
discoveries OF preventative medicine. l
recommended to the General Assembly in
1919 the creation OF an all time health
officer, but the bill failed to pass. This
officer is now found in all the advanced
States except Michigan and Indiana Our
universities recognizing the Importance
Of hygiene and sanitary science, have
attached TO them schools Of public health
wherein those having the degree OF NJ. ID.
may receive the highest Of all degrees,
Doctor Of Public Health. when they have
finished the course of three years.
ALL TINE HEALTH
OFFICERS NEEDED.
The pracdciug physician who under
the present Laws acts as health oulcer
must earn his living practicing medicine
He receives mere plttahce Tor uolue
the public health work OF his county. We
need in this State an up-to-Gate scientific
law providing for training OF health OF
hceTs who will give their entire time TO
keeping away diseases and improving tho
public health Such officers should be
appointed because Of their fitness. The
county health officer should have Nv
Ing salary graded by the number OF peo-
pie he serves. His duties and powers
should clearly be defined and an accu-
rate record OF his work kept Regular
reports should be made to the State
Board of Health.
| recommended that p law be passed
creating the Office Of county health OF
hcer. that suitable provision be made for
his compensation and that every county
in the state be required to appoint such
an official.
Your attention is called to the report
Of the Indiana committee on mental de-
fectives appointed under the authority
OF the Legislature to consider the prob
lem OF health Of mental detectives. II
has been making a study OF the mental
detectives of Indiana and in such work
has rendered valuable service to the
state The report is before you and their
recommendations should have your care
ful consideration. l nope that the com
rnlttee will be continued with suitable
appropriation.
The General Assembly Of 1919 author
lied the appointment Of a commission
on Child welfare and social insurance.
This commission, without any Compen-
sation 10 Its Members has rendered an
unselhsh service to the state in making
81 very thorough Investigation OF the en-
tire subject OF child welfare. IL has made
an exhaustive report covering the entire
situation and has prepared and Will sub.
Init TO you for your consideration DIS
having for their purpose the cOnserva-
ton OF the child life Of the State. No
subject is OF greater Importance to the
people of Indiana than that Of the de-
velopment of the life Of It's children. l
commend this report to you for your /
favorable consideration and trust that
the recommendation made by the com
mission may be embodied in law.
Ever since Governor Marshall raised
the question as to the cOnstitutl0nality Of
the present law authorizing the desex-
ualizatiOn OF inmates of certain institu /
tions. Il las been q dead letter and no
serious attempt made to enforce it. /
repeatedly have urged the superintendent
of the institutions to take advantage OF
the present law Al d deseXua1Ze all per
sons who would be at to return to their
homes but for the fear that they might
propagate mental detectives and impose
further burdens upon society. They
pretty generally have declined to enforce
the law for fear Of personal liability in
the event the law should be held invalid. j
A suit is now pending in the Supreme
Court to enion the officers of the Re
formatory FROM deseXualizing one Of the
inmates. 1t is expected that the de-
csion will be rendered before the Gen
eral Assembly closes its deliberations.
If the law should be held invalid. then
| urge the enactment of a new law that
will meet the constitutional objection, IL
any, and authorizing the disqualification
of the inmates of the various penal, cor
rectional and benevolent institutions.
Indiana in her system of charities holds
IL high place among the States of the
Union. Credit for this situation is due
to the State Board of Charities and the
Intelligent supervision 1t exercises over
the State institutions.
Its members are public spirited citizens
who are informed concerning charities
and give generously Of their time and
effort to the State.
After serving with them for four years,
can testify to their helpfulness to me, |
of the value of their service to the State
and the board is entitled to the fullest
support of this General Assembly.
BLUE SKY LAW
Is NOT PERFECT.
A blue sky law has been recommended
by the last two State executives. The
General Assembly at its special session
in 1920 passed such a law. 1t is not per-
feet. 1t is a step In the right direction
and Will, If properly administered, re
suit in saving our people from heavy
losses resulting from the purchase of
worthless securities and should be
strengthened in every way possible.
recommend the following amendments to
Ior