Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-24

there when he was a boy, and he
doubted If the climate in that county
is much more severe then it is here.
The causes for the high death rate.
he referred to. There are many cases
Of measles in children under five
years of age. Other causes he
enumerated.
Mrs. Howard Ives
The next speaker was Mrs. Howard
Ives Of Portland, chairman of the
legislative committee of the State
Federation Of Women's Clubs, who
made stirring address in behalf of
the acceptance of the federal aid.
Mrs. William r. Pattangall and Mrs.
Daniel 3. Weeks, both of Augusta,
are also members Of the legislative
committee.
She stated that Maine is desperate
ly sick and the only way to win its
way back to health is to admit it.
She said that the State had only SOL
900 appropriated to public health last
year-a pitiable amount as compared
with the other states. Maine had no
Welfare Council until now.
of the wonderful work which is being
done in Agriculture through that aid.
She stated that she believed that the
American Government could occas-
ionally give the results of its re-
search work to the states. And she
pointed out that if we do not accept
this bill we lose our $4,000, and fur
Their that if it was declared uncon-
stitutional nothing would be done
about the matter. But if it should
be declared valid and Maine had not
accepted. the State would lose.
Miss Ives stated that she had the
greatest respect for DIR. Kendall, the
State Commissioner of Health, but
that he had been appointed without
the approval having been asked of the
Health Council. She did not think
that was the way it should go.
She urged that the bill be accepted
for the children of the State.
Governor Baxter
In reply to the statement made by
Mrs. Ives regarding the appointment
Of DR.. Kendall, Governor Baxter
stated that he had consulted with
Mr.. Kicker, chairman Of the Public
Health Council. and that lie had
recommended the appointment.
DR.. Sylvester J. Beach Of Portland,
a member Of the Public Health Coun-
Gil, then stated that Mr.. Kicker is
not chairman of the Council.
Miss Mabel Conner of Augusta
Miss Mabel Conner of Augusta,
ti,7rr 9
Women Voters, stated that this bill
is the Womcn's pct measure. She
made q strong plea for the accept
ance Of the bill. stating the old
fashioned doctors will soon be extinct
and that now it is very difficult to
urge young doctors to take up prac-
tiCe in the country. The bill does not
aim to control births, but deaths,
she said.
Or. SpaulcIing Of Portland in Op-
position
DR. James Spaulding Of Portland
spoke of plans for better health con-
ditions in Maine. and made the
suggestion that Maine should offer
gold medal every five years for the
best essay on saving the lives of the
eXpectant mothers. He said that he
was opposed to government super
vision. Plans for work along
educational lines were also discussed
by DR. Spaulding, who stated that in
his opinion if Maine cannot do these
things the United States overnmcnt
cannot.
Franklin c. Payson
Franklin G. Pays0n of Portland.
tho chairman of the Red Cross in that
city, said that he appeared in OPP
position to the measure as a citizen
of the State of Maine and represented
no one but himself. He said he was
in fun sympathy with the purpose
for which this act was designed to
accomplish.
There is 4 great probability that
this act is unconstitutional" said Mr.
payson. Before the act is accepted
| think it would he a good idea to
have our attorney general pass on
its constitutionalty The attorney
general of Massachusetts says that
it is clearly unconstitutional.
Il am unable to find justification
for action in this case no matter what
the other states have done" con-
tinued Mr.. Payson. This question
should be discussed temporarily and
sanely."
Bishop Walsh
Right Rev. Louis S. Walsh, bishop
of the Catholic diocese of Maine.
spoke strongly in opposition to the
measure.
"alore important principles are at
stake than getting this money" said
Bishop Walsh.
Il certainly would not oppose any
thing which would assist sacred
motherhood continued Bishop
Walsh.
Il do not believe that this bin will
attain the objects sought for. | be-
licve 1t is dangerous to obStruct the
sovereignty of the State Of Maine.
We should reach the highest point
Of personal liberty and personal res
possibility. There is not a city in
the State but is we'll prepared to care
for this problem. The head of the
Maine General Hospital at Portland
told me that there was not a mater
nifty case last year which was not
cared for.
There is hidden string to every
dollar which the federal government
gives to a State or a municipality. If
the federal bureau has the right to
determine how the money shall be
spent there will be so many rules
and regulations that there will be