Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-02-07
FOR THE DENTAL CLINIC EXCLUSIVELY

Tn another column today is published a statement by
DR.. Charles /. Silk, president of the Board of Health In
reference to the dental clinic. The doctor says he writes 10
correct certain erroneous impressions" that he THINKS nave
been made upon the public mind by articles that nave Deem
nublisbed regarding the clinic. But a careful reading OF the
doctors statement only tends to bear out what mas areauy
been said in reference to the Board OF Health taillng 10 i've
IN TO its agreement regarding its increased appropriation
The motion that DR.. Silk quotes from the minutes OF
! poord If Health only confirms the statement that the
health board has broken faith with the other organizations
that nlaved such an important part in securing the clinic lor
This city. The motion is that the clinic committee DC III
powered to operate the clinic for three full days per "eeA
But three days a week is not full time, by any medlo. n'
= dictation on the part of the dental committee, IL cah
hardly be called dictation when all the commn'ee dsA 10
that the Board of1Health live up to its agreement
There is every reason to believe that those who COM
nose the dental committee are competent to judge how a
aontal clinic ought to run and the expenses in
eoIyed # w due entirely to the influence of the local
dentists interested in the clinic that such a Tine equipment
was received for this city and naturally they are m'eres'eu
in seeing the clinic a success.
As FAR as the 1929 budget for the Board of Health is
concerned. the extra 81 900 has nothing to do with the reg
ular expenses of the board. If the board is spending more
than its appropriation allows that is no reason why 1t Should
secure additional money under false pretenses IN order TO
BUN itself out of a hole. The budget for the health board
far 1929 was fixed at $23, 500. Had the dental committee
not mt in an appeal for the dental clinic and impressed the
Hoard of Aldermen with the necessity OF its continuation,
assuring the aldermen that it could increase its usefulness
with an appropriation of 81 1000, the health board would have
been compelled to get along this year on S23,ooo. we 40
not believe that DIR. Silk will deny that this additional S4'ooo
was for the dental clinic exclusively. DR.. SILK also knows
he importance of a dental clinic in a community OF TINS
sort.
The health officer, however, seems to be greatly in
ierested in securing a new automobile for his department
md some of the health commissioners seem to feel 1T their
duty to find places on the nurses staff for certain favored
ones. But when the health department is SO hard pressed
Ilror funds as DR.. Silk, in his statement, would have us I'M
iderstand, it would seem as if there should be a curtallment
all along the line. Surely it is unfair and a breach OF conf
jE,lence to use extra money appropriated for a special purpose,
Has the $4,000 for the dental clinic was, to carry out other
Hines of Board of Health work. /
All that is asked is that the $4,000 which the aldermen
sgave to the Board of Health for dental clinic work be used
solely for the clinic. By continuing to work with the dental
committee of last year, which committee has no idea of die
! tating to the health authorities, there is every reason to be-
slieve that the plan as originally outlined for the dental clinic,
and which plan was the means of securing the 81, 1000 extra
appropriation, can be successfully carried out.