Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-03-18
BY Fl. B. R. BRIGGS.

d III. d. n. bNIGGS.
WASHINGTON, March 18.-One
of the biggest jobs in Washington,
in potential good, has been under
taken By DR.. c. E. Sawyer, the
presidents family physician, now by
special appointment brigadier gem
eral of the Reserve Corps, U. S. A.
He will direct a health survey of
the nation, and a coordination of
the various agencies, federal and
private, now working in the fields
of public health, education and social
welfare.
DR.. Sawyer at 81 has the physici-
cal vigor and alert mentality that
evidence he practices his own rule
for health-hard work anu open air
exercise. He is straight, wiry, and
crisp of manner.
Too Young for Golf.
Il don't play golf-not yet" he
says, with dry smile. Pm too
young for that, but walk great
deal and work on my farm"
DR.. Sawyer comes from President
Harding's home town-Marion, o.
and has built near there large sam
itarium for the treatment OF mental
and nervous cases.
"Most emphatically NOT alcohol
ics," he says. 81 do al the drink
ing for my patients and employees" "
with twinkle in his gray eyes. "And
I'm a Methodistp'
Then, seriously he pictures the
public health work committed by the
president to his direction.
president Harding believes, as l
do, that the health of the American
people is of utmost Importance, Vi
tality affecting the future Of the ma
ton.
"There are now in operation in
this country many agencies and as
sociation-some public and some un-
official-dealing with different
phases of health, health education
contagious diseases and things com,
monty designated as social welfare
work.
Working at Random.
"Some of these are doing excel.
lent work Others are inspired by
desire for personal aggrandizemcnt.
Nearly all are working at random.
without helpful cooperation.
Broadly speaking, VIE hope by
investigation to determine existing
conditions and needs. Then it will
be possible to bring together under
some bureau or detfirtment of public
welfare the knowledge of the facts
and the necessary agencies to Ober-
ate with a common purpose on Sys.
tematic plan.
''The field is very wide, for it in
cludes everything pertaining to the
physical welfare of the people-con-
ditions of work, food, recreation.
"To promote this physical welfare
is President Harding's determined
desire.
A Healthy Family.
"If the medical care of the Hard
ing family were the main purpose of
my being here-why, | simply
wouldn't be here! The whole fam
lily is remarkably healthy.
"The president himself has not
spent day in bed or away from his
UuSlu6SS UtEduSS VI SlChllcSo III q
quarter of a century. | expect to
see him daily, but this will be very
small part of my work.
"The war left the average Ameri
can in better physical condition than
ever before. 1t took millions of men
out of smoky offices. badly ventilat-
ed factories and tight-shut homes,
into the open. It compelled them to
practice regular habits, to work
systematically, to eat plain food, to
get up early and exercise in the
clear morning air.
"That is q good foundation upon
which to build this new work of ours.
It is too early to outline definitely
how we will go about i Why. I
haven't even an office, yet, in which
to work. nor an appropriation, thank
the Lord! But there viii be no time
lost in getting started. The results
must speak for themselves"