New-York tribune., 1921-11-11
Health Center.
Opens With 2l
Agencies Aiding
Governor Miller in Address
of Congratulation Hints
State May Take Similar
Action i'm Welfare Work
Fears Over : Paternalism
Must Not Eliminate Family
Doctor and Coddle People
Too Much, He Declares


A health center, where the activities
OF twenty-one health and welfare
agencies will be combined, was Cor
mally opened yesterday afternoon at
345 East 11sth Street. Each sgency
will maintain it's autonomy, but an
effort will be made, through combina-
ton OF purposes, to do away with over
tapping. The New York County Chap
ter OF the Red Cross has launched the
scheme and will finance it for three
years. The clinics already have begun
their work.
In congratulatory speech on the
aims Of the health center, Governor
Nathan L. Miller limited at the possi-
bility OF the state taking similar meas
ures later on. He said, however, that
he did not believe in paraIyzing in
dividuaI effort by too much govern
mental paternalism.
Expects Lesson To Be Needed
II have no doubt that this example
will have very wide influence through
out the land and over governmental
agencies" said Governor Miller. "T
do not want to raise hopes or make any
false promises, but the lesson that is
being taught here will undoubtedly be
invaluable. In the Health Department
of the state we have advanced to the
very point where we are confronted
with the question of determining what
our future policy shall be- / know
that under DR.. Biggs we have set up
an organization as perfect as we can
nope, for, but changes are occurring
which present the problem of how
much further the state shall go in
this work.
Eve have got TO find the dividing
line between state and individual cf-
fort. Tho country doctor is disappear
ing and the family physician is van
lsning in the small towns. We must
be careful or we will not have COM
petent physicians if the state under
takes the practice of medicine. We
are already intrenching widely on
their field. There are many paternal-
istic tendencies which are dangerous
In our relief work we must guard
against impairing the ability for self
help. do not think the state owes
obligation to keep people in swaddling
clothes. 1t is unfortunate for the in
dlvidual to learn to lean too much on
the state or charitable organizations.
DR.. J. A. Miller Presides
Other speakers were Miss Lillian D.
Valid, Robert W. de Forest. Homer
Folks, DR.. Hermann NJ. Biggs and DR..
LOUIS l. Harris. DR.. James Alexander
Miller presided
Representatives of the following or
carnations. which are combining their
forces In the Harlem Health Center,
were present:
Association for the Improvement of
the Condition of the Poor, Association
for the Aid of Crippled Children, Asso-
clation for the Prevention and Relief
of Heart Disease, Babies Dairy. Cath
olic, Charities, Charity Organization
Society, Department of Health, City of
New York; Commission on Dispensary
Development, Federation Settlement.
Hariem House, Harlem Council Of
Women, Henry Street Settlement,
Maternity Center Association, New y,
York Diet Kitchen Association, New
York tuberculosis Association, Occu-
patton Therapy Society of New York,
State Charities Aid Association. St.
Timothy Community Center, Union
Settlement, United Hebrew Charities.
and Anne rican Red Cross, New York
County Chapter.
Prior to the opening Mrs. Whitelaw
KId KeId gave luncheon for Governor
liam Kinnicutt Draper, Mrs August
Belmont, Miss Lillian Wald, Walter
Jennings, Miss Annie Goodrich, Robert
w. de Forest and DR.. James Alexander
Miller.
Crowds Line Streets
The street outside the clinic was
lined with crowds which had to be
turned away last night from meeting
heid In the open air at the back of the
building, three-story brick structure
which was formerly Sydenham Hospital.
Health Commissioner Royal S. Cope
land pledged the cooperation of the
City Health Department in the work in
augurated yesterday.
r. ID. La Guardia, President of the
Board of Aldermen, took issue with
Governor Miiler's statements in the
sfte rnoon on 'paternalism" as related
to health problems.
He quoted from the Governors
speech, saying that some of the senti~
ments might be all right for Mr.. Mil
ler's 'leisured friends" but that they
did not go for the poor factory worker
Of New York City.
Us 1T paternalism to try to keep our
people healthy" apostrophized Mr. Ia
Guardia with heat and vigor. "Milk
stations and welfare centers would have
been 'paternalism' twenty years ago.
but we are living in 1921 and not
IN 1900. There can be no danger of
paternalism in caring for the people of
our city"
The evening session was preceded by
a dinner for the speakers at the home
of Adolph Lewisohn. The guests were
DR.. and Mrs. Royal S. Copeland, Mr..
and Mrs. Homer Folks, DR.. and Mrs.
Antonio Stella, Mr.. and Mrs. r. II, La
Cuardia, DR.. and Mrs. BENJAMIN Bur
rift and Mr.. and Mrs. John E. Ellis
worth