Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-15
Capital Center of Biggest
Fight Waged ON Disease

in this line OF research to serve their
fellow men in the most useful of all
ways. While it Is contemplated that
the bulk Of this research work will be
carried out in the laboratories in
Washington, nevertheless 1t Is not so
limited, for under the terms of the bill
these fellows could be assigned to
definite problem in educational or en-
dowed institutions In any other part
of this or other countries, wherever it
would be most advantageous for the
problem to be worked upon. The
existence of such fellowships viii direct
the attention of the young men and
women Of our universities, and even
those In our high schools, to the de-
STABILITY of equipping themselves for
lifetime work in this most important
Of all fields Of applied science.
In discussing these fellowships, Sur
geon Kerr Of the United States Public
Health Service declared: THE most valu-
able asset Of the people Of the country
Is brains, and, from my experience in
college and university life, know there
are young men, have been young men,
and I know there must be now, who,
by reason of lack of finances, and lack
of encouragement, and the inaccessi-
btlity Of a scientific environment in
which to develop, have fallen by the
wayside. Now, the purpose of a meas
ure OF this kind should be to have po-
tentially available a provision whereby
young man could be aided, not for a
few days or few weeks, to finish his
education, as the universities have some
funds Of that character, but to aid him,
after he has graduated, providing he
Is an extraordinary student"
Concerning the matter of gifts and
donations to the National Institute of
Health, Senator Ransdell said In the
field of public health no precedent can
be recalled Of donations from philan-
thropistS to enable the Federal Govern
ment to maintain laboratories and in
situations for the promotion Of re-
search with possibly one exception. The
Smithsonian institution was founded as
the result Of the gift of one man. 1t
stands as q monument to his name and
its achievements are known throughout
the world. With the highest respect
for Smithson and full appreciation of
the great work accomplished by the
Smithsonian Institution and the bu-
reaus directed by 1t, believe that the
citizens of America would have derived
Infinitely more practical benefit had he
left his endowment for an establishment
to study the diseases Of man, to relieve
human suffering and prolong human
life cannot suggest anything to
the millionaires Of America, many Of
whom are earnestly seeking some wise
use for their wealth, that will do as
much good to humanity as to con-
tribute generously to their Federal Gov
eminent for public health purposes IN
combating disease.
"A great chemico- medical laboratory.
fully equipped to cope with all diseases
that aflict mankind, where he can carry.
on his important work fruitfully and in
an unlimited way is the need of the
American scientist. Our tagging IN the
matter of medical research has not been
the result of the inefficient mentality OF
our scientists, but, on the contrary the
lack of facilities and the discourag1ng
insufficiency of funds to stimulate re-
cruits in science"
What results will be accomplished by
the National Institute Of Health, which
will be perhaps the greatest single
agency ever formed for the combating
Of disease, can hardly be visualized.
Measure offered in 1926.
ENCOURAGED by this Government"
DR.. Arthur Mccormack, State health
officer of Kentucky, declared, ut abb
solutely startles ones imagination 70
contemplate the resulting Dement'S TO
humanity that can be accomplished:
The passage of this bill is the realiza-
ton Of a dream come true Tor Senator
Ransdell and is the third great hu-
manitarian measure he has put through,
being the author of the bill to estab-
lish the National Leprosarium at Car
vile, La, where lepers are today being
cured and having fathered the bill to
eradicate Texas fever
Senator Ransdell first introduced the
measure on July /, 1925, and for nearly
four years he has applied himself UNI
ceasingly and untiringly and with un-
diminished enthusiasm toward the
realization of his ideal. The suffering
of humanity throughout the centuries
has irnpelled him in his efforts, the
great need of his country's physicians
and scientists for such q measure TO
aid them in their battle against suffer-
ing, and his patriotic desire to make
the United States leader in this move
ment of such vast benef1t to countless
millions in the ages to come has urged
him on.
Many men of vision and love for
their fellows have assisted him in doing
the educatiSnal work necessary for the
proper understanding of the measure
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