Evening star., 1940-11-19
Protection Of CAMPS
Discussed in Session
On Social Hygiene
Prevention Of Spread of
VenereoI Disease Is Seen
As Civilian Offices Task

A concerted drive to safeguard
military and naval training camps
and essential national defense in
dustrial areas from venereal dis
eases as an outgrowth of the con-
centration of the Nations man
power was under way today, follow
ing a day-long session of social hy-
giene and service medical officers
here yesterday.
Serious problems of prostitution
and a probable rise in the incidence
of venereal diseases face the coun-
try, more than so Government and
civil authorities agreed yesterday
at meeting under auspices Of the
American Social Hygiene Asso-
citation.
Civilian officials must be aroused
and will have to take the initiative,
Dr.. Thomas Parran, Surgeon Gen.
eral of the United States, told the
group at a luncheon meeting in the
Cosmos Club. The ability Of Army
and Navy authorities to clean up
areas surrounding camps is limited
because of lack of authority, he said.
Central Organization Proposed.
He suggested the situation be
brought to the attention Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt. who had the
authority to make recommended
tions,' granting the services added
power to control concentrated areas.
But until that authority is granted,
it remains for the civilian to do
something,' he added.
Maj Gen. Merritte w. Ireland,
U. S A.. retired, suggested the es-
tablishment of a central organiza-
tion of Army, Navy and civilian
officials to work out plans of pre-
vention and control of diseases and
of prostitution in military and in
dustrial regions.
The Navy, Comdr. Carlton L. An
drus of the Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery declared. was aware of the
problem. but added that 1T falls
on civilians to take the initiative"
The need of active cooperation
between the armed forces and civil
authorities also was stressed by
Philip R. Mather, chairman of the
hygiene associations Committee
on National Defense Activities.
The military forces, he pointed
out, do not control the civilian
communities around Army and
Navy establishments, and hence the
public is responsible for conditions
which exist in their communities.
Analysis of local and State laws
to find legal instruments, the rally
ing of public opinion to support
law enforcement and the co-opera-
ton with local and State officials
in setting up law enforcement tech
niques are the tasks which the asso-
citation is now undertaking, Mr.
Mather said.
DR.. Wilbur Speaks.
Maj. Bascom Johnson. director Of
the associations legal and protec-
1--WE ulVlSlOll, Sdlu IcCcIlCly COI1.
pleted survey of training and indus
trial areas revealed an acute growth
of organized prostitution with the
situation growing steadily worse"
Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, president
of the association and head of STAN
ford University, speaking at a morn
| ing session. declared:
"The fundamental issue in this So
cial and medical question is what
support will the public itself and
the civilian authorities give in clean
ing up conditions near camps and
keeping them clean. The Army
and Navy want their men healthy
and sound, and will do what they can
to keep them so. - With the ex-
perience of the World War, we ought
to give the world an example of ap-
piled preventive medicine in stop
ping the spread of venereal diseases" !"
The Rev. Alphonse Schwitalla Of
st. Louis University cited the need
of increased recreational facilities
in cities near training camps to pro-
vide diversion for enlisted men.