The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1949-06-30
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All over the country there is
grave discussion Of nationwide
health insurance.
Proponents point out the enor-
nous number of persons who need
medical attention, but cannot af-
ford it. The American Medical As
sociation has raised huge fund to
pay for propaganda against the
Presidents plan for compulsory
health insurance.
Then there enters the old, old
argument over individual self-suf-
fciency and collective action
through the state.
! But how self sufficient can the
individual be when the collective
population thrusts disease menace
upon him?
want to point out one major
instance in which the state, mean
ing government of one variety or
another aids and abets a disease
menace Of grave proportions.
Water pollution is the subject
for today.
There is scarcely major stream
that is not polluted. A lot Of our
coastal waters are polluted.
And | mean polluted to the dan
ger point.
Stream and lake pollutions is
made possible by the sleepiness of
governments. Some Of these are
state governments, some are city
and in some cases the national
government is at fault.
However, the national govern
ment now has set in motion a sur
vey to determine where and to
what degree there is water pollu-
ton.
In almost every case water pol
luton is man made. There are two
principal types of pollution, both
preventable.
One type is pollution by indus
trial waste. The other is by the
emptying of sewerage into streams
and lakes.
Both are hideous, poisonous, like
sneaking enemy in the family.
In many cases it has been proven
that recovery of the industrial
waste is not only possible, but
PROFITABLE, which means that
purity pays off in money as well as
in health.
| have read the names of many
great rivers that are polluted to
the danger point. | know one inti-
mately,
Many coastal waters are poison
ed. One of the most beautiful bays
in the country is so filled with poi
son that most of the fish life has
been destroyed, while health auth
critics warn the population to keep
out.
Some California coastal waters
have been posted, warning people
to keep OUT.
Human health is important, so
important that it is a matter OF
great national concern.
Marine life is a valuable and
necessary food source.
Both are in constant danger.
This poisoning of our waters
can be stopped.
Here is a matter that ought to 4,
concern unions and their members.
First, they are a part of the threat
ened population. Second, they work
in factories that pour their indus
trial waste into our waters to make
of them cesspools of poison.
In both cases they have a pro-
found interest.
Since the profit motive rules in
duStry, unions can help employers
find methods of eliminating waste
through recovery of elements that
have IA market value in excess OF
the cost of recovery. J.
But finally there is one point of
common interest, expressed thus:
YOU MUST STOP POISONING
US.
Unions today are strong enough
to command the best talent. Let
them get some of it busy on water
which means water
Let us start treating the water
poisoner as we would an enemy
who came spreading strychnine in !
our homes. That would be GOOD
HEALTH INSURANCE!