Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-02-28


the health department can conduct
with such great efficiency the child
hygiene work for $500, why are
they asking for the sum of Sl0,-
600? Why not ask for just the
amount they need?
We call attention to the fact that
there must be seven members of
the child welfare board. four of
these have always been women. We
would welcome another member OF
our own medical association, On
the board OF health there are three
members only one of whom is a
woman, only one may be n physi-
clan. We wish to call attention to
the republican platform and reso-
lutions adopted in the democratic
convention, promising the support
Of the state child welfare service.
We receive $4,000 a year at present
The Federation OF Women $
Clubs is asking the legislature 10
support the child welfare service
in its request to administer the
funds of the Sheppard-Towner Dill
and to give sufficient state FUNDS
10 the child welfare service, thus
ena bling the board to care for other
work with children, not included IN
tho provisions of then Sheppard
Towner bill. (Signedl
MRS. MAX NORDHAuS'
chairman, State Child wei
fare ServIce.)
DIR. Walters Views.
Under the provisions or inc
Sheppard Towner bill now pend
ing in congress, 1t will be impos-
sibIe to secure the appropriation
for child welfare, mental testlng'
sociological and such work, accord
ing to DIR. Waller. 80,
DIR. Waller asserts that the Dill
plainly specifies maternity protec-
ton and child hygiene.
That the state health depart
ment in compliance with the law
creating it has maintained chlld
hygiene department for a year.
That the Sheppard-Towner piil
requires the money to be admins
tered by state health departments
which have child hygiene diVis-
ion.
That the health department can
secure and is securing doctors ana
nurses of expert hospital training
THAT the child welfare depart
ment if II took over the work would
have to train its workers.
That the health department has
public health nurses in fifteen
counties.
That it has examined 10000
children.
That it can conduct the child
hygiene work for $500 a year,
That a tremendous opportunity
exists in this state for pure child
welfare work, the province of the
welfare department.
That child hygiene and materni-
ty perfection on the scale attempted
by the women would be prohibitlVe
in cost.
Work should BE Combined.
And that in his opinion all wei
fare work in the state should be
combined in one department.
Intelligent settlement of the con-
troversy between the health depart
ment and the child welfare de-
partment requires a thorough pub
lie discussion Of the arguments pro
and con as to which should be en-
trusted with the work contem-
plated by the Sheppard -Towner
bill. For this reason the Santa Fe
New Mexican asked DR.. Waller to
make a full statement of his side
of the case and further communi-
cations from the child welfare or
ganization will be welcome.
"The child hygiene division OF
the state health department was
created in October. 1920 said DR.,
Waller, "and at that time the idea
never entered my head that It
could secure a federal appropria-
alton: the Sheppard-Towner bill
was an uncertain quantity and in
fact never gave 1t thought. The
child hygiene division was formed
under the provisions of the law
GREETING the health department
which specifies that 1t shan pro-
mote child hygiene, prevent in
fant mortality and dis 'eminate
public health information, CO.
operate with the federal govern
ment and incur expenses in that
behalf
Public Health Nurses.
1--WE have put public health
nurses in fifteen counties. The
Red Cross furnishes the salary and
pays the expenses Of the supervis-
ing nurse until the state takes it
over. This gives in many cases the
Red Cross a medium where it can
get best results for its money. We
carry on our division at a cost of
$4,000 a year.
"Our supervising nurse selects
the other nurses. While condi-
lions have been adverse and we
have not accomplished as much as
we should have, we are getting
closer supervision all the time and
public health nurses have averaged
six months service in fifteen out of
twenty-nine counties examining b.
600 school children
1--WE need no extra quarters, no
extra buildings, we have heat; light
and janitor service in the capitol.
Our people are all trained: four
years hospital work Is required; 1t
is necessary for us to have a force
Of health officers and nurses in the
field anyhow. 1t would be neces-
sary for the child welfare depart
ment to conduct a training school
to secure such workers when we
can pick them mp outside the state,
all fully equipped. As to the criti-
cism that spanish speaking work.
ers are needed, 1t is much easier
for trained worker to learn Sr an
ish, as we have demonstrated, than
for a Spanish speaking person to
take four years. hospital training
Would Mean Duplication.
''If the child welfare service
should ssss@Rs Y Aup'1ast'