The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-01-20
DR.. L. A. RISER EXPLAINS
NEW8ERRY HEALTH UNIT
Tells Whence the Money Comes and
Whence 1t Goes-Says We Are
In Error
Columbia, S. c..
January II, 1922

Newberry, S. c.
Dear Mr.. Aull:
1 recently noticed an editorial by
you regarding the County Health De-
partment. As you evidently misun-
derstood the appropriation and state
the $4,000. comes from the County,
$4,000. from the State and $4,000.
from the National Government, and
as this is incorrect l wish to ask you
to correct this statement.
The County puts up $4,000; the
State, International Health Board,
T. B. Association, and the Red Cross
put up an equal amount, making a
total appropriation of $4,000. Of
this amount the international Health
Board is by far the largest contrl-
butor. N this connection, however,
l might state that the County appro-
priated $4,000. for 1920, the work
began the first day of June 1920,
consequently ran only months dur
ing that year. For the year 1921 the
County appropriated s2500. The
County Health Department ran full
wear and has sufficient c 4nty funds
left to run January az February.
In other words, on a County appro-
priation of $500 at the end of Feb
ruary the County Health Department
will have run 21 months. You will
therefore see that this Department is
not such an expensive one after all
and as you have given the people a
very erroneous impression | am going
to ask you to correct it.
The state this year gave US an ap-
preparation of only $4,000. and as
this ran the administration Office and
gave financial assistance to six Coun-
ties, Newberry being one of them,
YOU will readily see that the States
part was very small, The National
Government gives US nothing. The
International Health Board is in no
way connected with the government
but is a part of the Rockefeller Foun-
dation.
The idea of this Department is to
assist Counties financially until they
see the advantage of a County Health
Department. Then they are asked to
take over the Department and make
full appropriation necessary. This
was done in one county last year and
we have one county this year which
will be selfsupporting, allowing us
to assist some other county.
The money which is given by the
international health board and the
state pays the salary Of the
health officer and allows him travel
ing expense account for gas, oil, and
upkeep of his car. He is required TO
furnish his own car. The salary of
the nurse is paid by the county. Her
car is furnished by the Red Cross, and
the Red Cross and T. B. association
pay for upkeep of this car. The IN
spector furnishes his own car and up
keep of same. His salary is paid by
the county. The stenographer's sal
ary is paid by the county, and the
county also pays all office expenses in
cluding rent for office. In the ma
jor;ty of other counties this Office is
furnished free Of charge in the court
house but as this was not possible in
Newberry it was necessary to rent an
Office.
The people in the country and small
towns are more familiar with the
work cf the county health depart
ment as rule tran are the people in
the cities as the work is principally
rural work.
Very truly yours,
L. 4. Riser, VI. D.,
In Charge Department County Health
Work.