Evening star., 1948-12-03
Club BIames State
For Health 0ffenses
In ST. Marys County
By J. L. MichoeI
Special Correspondent Of The stor

LEONARDTOWN, Md, Dec. s.
Marylands State Department OF
Health today was given a major
share of responsibility for insanitary
conditions in St. Marys County by
civic group, which also scored
public officials and citizens for a
general lack of interest
Policy carried out by the State
Department of Health" the Leon
ardtown Lions Club declared, has
had the deplorable effect of reduc-
ing our county to a rubbish heap, a
disease-breeding locality and a po-
tential area for the beginning Of a
major epidemic"
The club expressed its views in a
report submitted by a special COM
mittee and unanimously adopted at
meeting Wednesday. Robert Wig
ginton, an attorney, headed the
committee, whose other members
were Barnard Smith and Murray
Jackson.
State Policy Assailed.
I'VE must report" the committee
said, that the health officer has
indicated that the policy Of the
State Department of Health has
been and is now opposed-to prosaeal.
ton of violation of health regNla-
'tions under existing general lksus =.
That, the committee explained, is
because such onenses are considered
"a local matter" and the Health
Department believes the county
commissioners, acting as Board OF
Health, should pass local ordinances
as an indication that citizens were
behind any movement to clean up
conditions in the county.
. 1.-THE other reason for the State
policy is that if enforcement Of the
general laws is undertaken by the
local health authorities, then the
various clinics conducted by the local
health boards would suffer-" the
committee said.
Dr.. Robert H. Riley, chairman of
the State Board of Health, was re-
ported out of his office and could
not be reached Immediately for COM
ment on the Lions action.
County and Public Also Hit.
Striking at county authorities and
the public, the committee said that
none can deny that what we re-
port here bears out the fact that
sanitation and general health con-
ditions in our county are deplorable
and that there must be a reason or
reasons why this is SO.
I'VE think that the general lack
Of interest of our public officials
is the primary cause. Secondarily,
the lack of interest Of the citizens
of the county has helped lull the
officials. into a sense of security-if
not security, then a feeling that
there is no use looking for work If
the people don't expect it."
The Lions Club report followed
statement last week by DR.. George
E. Waters, deputy health officer
for st. Marys County, in which he
charged that sanitary conditions
are among the worst in Maryland"
Raw sewage" he declared, "is
being thrown on the surface Of the
ground and in bitches along certain
public roads"
Reaches and rats are plentiful
in many eating places"
In some barrooms there is no
running water-there is just a
bucket of water in which the glasses
are dipped-but not actually washed.
Some operators claim they change
this water once day."
DR.. Waters said he could correct
these conditions If given tools with
which to work." such as county
ordinances ito govern food estab-
lishments and food handlers, water
supplies, sewerage disposals, bar
rooms, dog bites and garbage dis
posals." The health officer also
urged the appointment of one lawyer
each month from the County Bar
to assist in prosecuting violations
of these ordinances.
In addition, Dr. Waters requested
IAN appropriation of $4,000, aside
from the present appropriation of
81 ,6OO-this to pay the salary and
transportation of two additional
sanitation officers" The county
now has one.
Lions Oppose Request.
Opposing the request for specific
regulations and additional santa
ton officers, the Lions Club said,
There is no need for any of the
ordinances recommended. The gen.
eral law of the State of Maryland
is full and complete. Even If the
general laws were not full enough,
there is always the common law
which will allow for the abatement