Evening star., 1928-05-02
CHILD HEALTH AIMS
LAUDED BY HOOVER
May Day Observance in Cap
ital Climaxed by Secretary's
Radio Talk.

OF Commerce Hoover last night, in his
capacity as president of the American
Child Health Association, broadcast
over station WRC and the red net
work" TO the whole country an address
in which he declared the greatest pur-
pose of our civilization, which is the
happiness and contentment of our peo-
pie. rests upon health"
The beginnings of all health" he
emphasized, ''lie IN the protection and
safeguarding of children
Thousands of children and adults
participated in numerous ceremonies
and attended clinics throughout the
city Features OF the. day included
planting of a tree by Mrs. William How
ard Taft at the Parkview Playground
celebration of their third May festival
by the Catholic children of Washing
ton at Catholic University, inaugura
ton of its season by the Swan boat of
the child welfare board of Children's
Hospital at the Tidal Basin and ex-
animation Of children in all parts Of
the city by doctors and dentists.
Dedicated to Children.
MAY day has been over generations
peculiarly dedicated in all our minds
as a special day for children declared
Secretary Hoover. Some five years ago
the American Child Health Association
Joined with other agencies devoted to
the upbuilding and safeguarding OF the
health and welfare of children to en-
phaSize May day as a demonstration to
the public of the insistent necessity OF
constant guardianship of the health of
children. And 1t was a great purpose.
1T has gradually grown in public
regard and in national significance.
The President of the United States and
governors of over 40 States have this
year issued special proclamations In
recommendation of its observance.
Now as we grow older in complexity
of our national life; as we congregate
more and more In the towns: as We
grow in knowledge of medicine and dis
eases: as we grow in better understand
ing of crime: as We grow in apprecia-
ton of the fundamental importance of
health and in national progress, so do
we also recognize that point Of danger
in health of the Nation. and in the
health of its children and likewise the
point OF begtnning-that is. with the
children.
Some years ago was asked to
formulate what I considered the ideal
to which we should strive. At that
a
no child in America that has not been
born under proper conditions: that does
not live in hygienic surroundings; that
ever suffers from undenourishment.
that does not have prompt and efficient
medical attention ard inspection. that
does not receive primary instruction in
the elements Of hygiene and good
health: that has not the complete
birthright of sound mind IN q sound
body: that has not the encouragement
TO express In fullest measure the spirit
within which is the final endowment
Of every human being.
Need Awakening.
"Wc have need for an annual stock
taking and annual awakening of ma
tional conscience as to how far we are
setting up those fundamental safe
guards that bring us toward these
ideals. These safeguards lie In the pro-
lection OF the services of each commu-
nifty. in its water supply and sewerage.
in the purity of its milk and its food
in community organization for nursing
and advice and examination in the
schools, in educational instruction to
children in their own care and in pro-
vision of play opportunities and open
spaces for children In cities and IN the
IeuuItiul Vi ilflpEOpCt CIiAlQ adOOf.
From the point of view of the Ma
ton, we cannot afford to have any
community neglect these fundamentals.
and indeed there are many communities
which have not yet realized that they
damage not only themselves but the Ma
tion as whole by this neglect.
THE community nurse is a greater
safeguard against crime than the police
man, for II we examine the character
of criminals We find that q large pro-
portion Of them are physically deficient.
The greatest elimination of waste in
our whole economic system Is the waste
OF sickness and premature death and of
inability through health deficiencies.
The greatest asset of the Nation is the
health of Its people; our greatest pre-
paredness for war is the increasing pro-
portion OF our manhood and woman
hood without physical deficiencies.
And above all the greatest purpose
of our civilization. which Is the hap
piness and contentment OF our people
rests upon health. The beginnings Of
,alI health lie in the protection and
safeguarding OF children 1t Is the OBJ
legation of every adult"
Friend Of Every Child"
Secretary Hoover was characterized
bv Mrs, Aida de AcoSta Breckenridge,
directing head of the national May
day activities of the American Child
Health Association. who introduced him,
as 'the friend OF every child"
william Green. president OF the
American Federation OF Labor. who also
spoke over the same radio network, told
OF what the federation Is doing for
children. He pointed to the work as
merely a continuation Of its funda-
mental policy to interest itself In all
movements which seek to conserve child
health"
Later last night WRC also broadcast
here talk by DR.. Elliott c. Schultz of
this city on The Care of Childrens
Feet"
DR. Edward J. Schwartz, assistant
health officer OF the District, chairman
of the May day committee for Washing
ton. expressed qualification today over
the results of the city-wide observance
Yesterday and predicted II would result
in greatly increased child health for the
Nations Capital He was especially
pleased with the cooperation OF the
doctors and dentists who volunteered
their time to examine and treat chill
dren In the various clinics and Offices