The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-10-31
SPREAD OF HEALTH
WORK STRESSED IN
CONFERENCE talk
Dr.. covington Of Rockefeller
Foundation Addresses So
cial Workers

/ Grand Forks, N. D., Oct. 31.-(R)-
The spread Of health work over the
United States and the notable re.
suits obtained through national, state
and local efforts were stressed by
DR.. O. w. Covington, field director
Of the International Health Board Of
the Rockefeller Foundation at the
state conference Of social workers
here Wednesday.
DR.. Covington stated that the most
valuable index to the intelligence Of
the citizens is the amount spent by q
country for prevention of disease.
"All civilized governments" said
the doctor, recognize their respon-
sibility to prevent sickness"
Or. Covington's address was one Of
several on the morning program which
will be followed by business meeting
and election of officers this afternoon
ending the three day conference. The
annual dinner was held Tuesday
night. Speeches were made by DR..
j. M. Gillette of the University OF
North Dakota and BY Rev. Vincent
J. Ryan Of Fargo.
Pointing to the health work in
North Dakota, DR.. Covington said the
state health department has been on
a full time basis for about IL years.
Deplores Budget Cut
The speaker deplored the reduction
Of the state budget from $50 800 to
$1,000 by the last legislature. Based
on the state population. he said, this
reduction for health work amounts to
about one and a half cent a person.
1T is impossible" said the speaker,
Ito maintain a proper health depart
ment on this amount Of money. The
state health department is essential
and each division must have q COM
petent head. The divisions are lab
oratory, sanitary, vital statistics and
a bureau Of communicable disease
prevention"
DR.. Maysil williams Of Bismarck,
state health officer, who presided at
the morning melting, was compliment
ed for the efficiency Of her work.
DR.. Covington pointed out that
nowadays the general purpose Of
health work IS to increase individual
resistance against disease through
physical examinations and corrective
steps.
Results of this work were illustrated,
he said, by the lowering OF the death
rate in the United States from 17.6
In 1900 to ll.9 in 1877. Work done in
the cities made their progress greater
than In the rural districts, he said.
The cities showed q 81 per cent de-
crease as compared with 20 per cent
In the country areas.
DR.. Gillette Speaks
The New Deal, with industry and
agriculture regimented and governed
by codes. represents national PLAN
ming on q scale never before con-
ceived in the United States, Dr.. J.
M. Gillette, head Of the university
sociology department, told the social
workers Tuesday night.
Mrs. Alice B. Bailey, Bismarck.
sixth district juvenile commissioners.
presided. The Rev. Vincent J. Ryan,
Fargo, conference president, gave the
annual presidents address. A play
let presented by FERA workers COM
pleted the program.
Social planning, said Dr.. Gillette,
"is q phase Of the national scheme,
It Is IN attempt to overcome NAL
adjustments Of society. . mediative
and palliative measure used after
things have happened"
Father Ryan stressed accomplish
ments OF the state conference, de-
claring children's welfare work wa
one Of its chief concerns.
Procedure in illegitimacy casea
was the topic Of q discussion Tuesday
afternoon. Discussions were led By
States Attorney w. B. Arnold. 0rant
Forks: Roy K. Rebetske, Fargo, 6.
sistant Cas- county states attorney;
Miss Paula Iverson, superintendent
Of the House Of Mercy, Fargo: Mrs
Addiea Brooks. superintendent Of tn.
Florence Crittenton Eome, Fargo
and Mrs. Kathryn Wehlitz. executive
secretary Of Fargo's Catholic Wei
fare bureau