The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1934-12-06
COME DOWN TO EARTH

1t was hopefully thought by large
number of Republicans of the county
that the election of Clifford Friend as
State Senator, and the subsequent adj
dition of responsibility would add
dignity in keeping with the office he is
to assume and take from him little
of his radicalism in matters which
concerned the welfare of the citizens.
But such is not the case.
He appeared at The Republican
office this week with vicious attack
on the health department, extension
department, and in fact anybody who
draws penny of compensation from
the public treasury no matter how
conscientiously they serve the people,
or no matter how important the posi-
ton is.
His statements were so grossly ex-
aggerated and so full of misstate-
ments that Mr.. Friend was refused
space in The Republican to vent his
spleen.
After threatening to publish the
article in circular form, stating at the
top the startling fact that "The Re
publican actually refused to publish
it," Mr.. Friend left the office, leaving
the information that it would appear
in other papers-which it might. He
also left the yelled threat that we
would regret our stand on the matter.
1t has since been learned from a re-
liable source that this article, minus
a few of the misstatements to which
The Republican objected, is being
given publicity elsewhere today.
Remembering that the old saying,
"give person enough rope and he
will hang himself" could easily ap-
ply in this case, yet in fairness to the
people of the county, they should be
given facts which a dozen circulars
by Mr.. Friend cannot refute.
Mr.. Friend terms practically every
one who works for the county para
site, one who spends the taxpayers
money. In this class Mr. Friend him
self is now classed, for is he not in
the employ of the taxpayers? But
then, he will probably serve without
compensation in the legislature, re-
turning to the treasury the $4,000
he will receive, plus more than 500
expense money for travelling.
Mr.. Friend questioned the appoint
ment of sanitary engineer in the
county to assist the health officer
He didn't stop to inquire that the
position is effective only until June,
by an appropriation from the Federal
Government alone, to improve sani-
tary conditions here, and does not cost
the county penny. He didn't want
to find out. He wanted a chance to
jump on DR.. Peck, health officer, who
is doing his job untiringly. In one
year over 2,100 people, mostly chill
dren, have taken toxoid to prevent
diphtheria. Right in Mr.. Friends
stronghold at Asher Glade, during a
typhoid scare, 70 were given vaccine
to keep them healthy. We could go
on enumerating including the ortho-
pedic work, the many clinics held, and
the gradual suppression of venereal
disease through regular clinics, of
which the general public knows moth
ing.
Mr.. Friend doesn't even want to
know the exact figures of the cost of
the health department. It's total
cost is $9,200-$2,5OO of which is
borne by the county. There are en-
ployed one health officer, two health
nurses, and one clerk. In 1927 when
the county had only one nurse the
county paid at that time the same
amount-$2,500. In 1927 the county
tax rate was SLIT. 1t is now $1.OO.
The county pays to the state in di-
rect taxes about $4,000. The county
receives for this practically 100000
for schools, health work, extension
work, etc.
If Mr.. Friend would bring factory
to this county with a payroll of s10,-
900 he would think it was something
big. Yet the county gets $4,000
more than it gives the state. Mr..
Friend wants to lop off $6,700 of this
by getting rid of the health depart
ment. Next thing he'll want to cut
out the school equalization fund by
which much of this money comes from
the State. Then watch the county tax
rate rise.
Mr.. Friends rawlings are pure
piffie, and the more he raves, the
sooner is he going to hang himself
He's been up in his balloon long