The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1922-02-09

Inancal strength and in commercial
relations. She has pride in progress
in the development Of all OF the af-
fairs in which any nation should be
+ interested, such as its manufactures,
its mines and mining, It's quauies
and quarrying, its waterways and
transportation facilities; in fact, she
has been expert and capable in as
Isembling all the things and materials
from which We have grown to our
present position as a splendid nation
Iof ingenius people.
We can reasonably claim right to
the title Of leader in many Of the ma
ltional and international affairs and
from the progressive disposition of
the past we might reasonably contem-
rlate perpetuity as a people but with
out some extra precaution, some spe-
Ical effort, instead Of continuing a
strong and accomplished race, we
will become so weakened in our ply
sical forces as to bring to ourselves
the liability of early degeneration
and decay.
NEED OF Resistance.
To perpetuate the American nation
we must have special resistance
against the inroads of disease and
the liabilities Of increasing limita-
tions in our living Accommodations.
Our combat with influenza showed
how incapable we are of positive re-
sistence. Were this not true we
would not have sacrificed nearly 300,-
900 of our citizens through the NOR
tality list Of influenza.
Ninety years ago the Hawaiian Is
lands had population Of $4,000 ma
tives. The race seemed capable Of
Injecting all of the exigencies of eli
mate and such Affections as they had
| to bear in all of the affairs of their
life, with fair prospect Of reason
able longevity as race. Today they
represent a people numbered by 2l,-
600 pure Hawaiians and 10000 mix
ed This is due to the fact that they
became the subjects of tuberculosis,
venereal disease, drug habits, imper-
feet and unfavorable sanitation, and
total lack Of physical upkeep. Be-
lieving that the missionary was ca
pable of caring for them they became
Indifferent to the natural actions and
practices of their people. They were
spoiled by the extension to them Of
rights and privileges which they had
never had before, and because they
took no precaution in the mainten-
I ance Of their physical manhood, they
have succumbed to the inroads of dis
ease and today are almost an exter-
minated race.
| America today is big and strong
and may well assume to itself the
] leadership and protectorate of the
affairs of the world. But unless we
are able to maintain a continued re.
sistance, unless we develop some ma.
tional system of physical mainten.
ance by which we can improve our
longevity and decrease our mortal
ity, we will not be able to continue
the commandership to which we are
: Justly entitled. In fact We may sub
| ject ourselves to the same disastrous
! consequences that came to Hawaii s
: population.
( CAUSE OF 7. B.
Men and women resist disease by
I the strength of their own physical
! capacity. Without physical strength
S they yield much more readily to dis
ease Affections. That is why today we
: are showing such large percentage
7 of cases of tuberculosis. With all Of
D cur experience and the observations
I we have taken, with all the rules and
3 regulations of protection so far as in
2 stituted, the percentage of tubercular
subjects in the United States Of
r America continues about the same
: This would be very different were
y we more powerful physically. For
S these reasons and many others which
n might be enumerated, wish to EN-.
e phasize that fact that if America is to
: remain in the vanguard Of nations
e then it is very important that We es-
: tablish broadcast, universal plan Of
y physical improvement
! Comparatively America holds fifth
I place among the nations of the earth
e in physical vigor, and since 55 per
d cent of our children do not go be.
n yond the Fifth grade in our public
e schools, it is self-evident that if We
e are to be in the vanguard Of nations
r we must adopt some general, sys-
tematized plan of physical develop,
ment, and at the same time bring
q about system of education that will
e interest and attract our young people
, until we have elevated the standard
n of mental and productive competence
,. far beyond its present status.
To BUILD LEADERSHIP.
S The Department of Welfare now
d being arranged for by the present ad
e miniStration has in mind the creation
n of a system that will provide the way
l., and means TO overcome our presen
/ deficiencies for it contemplates in it,
s. divisions Of education, health and so
e cial service a combination of influ
i erces which will bring the American