Show t CX POLITICS AND THE TH I I iLi I l. l PUBLIC HEALTH I j U SCENT events draw drawn drawn attention at attention attention at- at forcibly to Instances of ot political meddling with the pub pub- service Within a year the Wo to state board of ot health long long- longre re re as one of or the ablest and most in the United States hasten has ten een demoralized by tho Influence o of artisan politics First eleven ere en of ot the laboratory staff start were sum- sum aril arlly dismissed Including Dr n B B. B II It chief chlof of ot the laboratory a known foll-known known ell scientific worker orl cr and forme for tor torm lime m me years past managing editor of ot life b be e Journal of or the American Public faith Association More Moro recently Dr LO 10 O. O Probst of or tho the Ohio oard Bard during a long period has felt folt hat at 11 his to duty the state and his Ills re- re ird rd for or his own honor obliged him resign his position Dr Probst has hag haston ton en n a 0 figure of or national Importance In health affairs and aud ll it Is largely Is a leadership that has given the tho Ohio ard and of or hea health th Its well well- well deserved in tho last decade An effective alth alln organization has hai now been awa away All this is duo due to the ct that th the present governor of or Ohio w fit to fill vacancies on th tho o board Doard Ith representatives of his own poll- poll leal eat cal faith regardless less o of merit or es- es fitness for tor tho the official duties gb political ambitions have havo been ticked locked for tor a 8 lesser cause OO And the Massachusetts now governor of of- has appointed three new members of or the state tato b board ar 1 of ot l health of ot J Massachusetts Massa Massa- Massachusetts ch none o of tho the three being an expert pert or possessing an any special l for I securing the welfare of or orthe the people but all aU of or course course being ble sud With lIth acceptable political views It ll is not necessary to dwell dwen on the absurdity absurdity ab nb- o of the tho assumption n that a mans man's opinion on the tariff or the trusts has an any bearing bearing- on his fitness to deal with problems of oC public health The governor governor governor gov gov- of Massachusetts has likewise e exposed 1 him himself el to criticism b by his delay delay delay de de- lay in reAppointing reAppointing- Dr Walcott to the Metropolitan Water Vater and Sewerage commission commission commission com com- mission although a n petition bearing the signatures of or over 1 2000 physicians al asking ask ak- king k- k I ing tug for Dr tl s appointment has been presented to the tune governor nor The state board of or health JJ jot ut Massachusetts etts has lias lon long been one o of tho the most active und and efficient III In the cO country Many Inn men o of hii scientific eminence have ha served on Its Us staff a and rill Its scientific work has been given l en the highest commenda commenda- commendation atlon a- a tion hero and abroad It would woul be b a misfortune If It partisan politics were allowed oven even temporarily to to in influence In- In fluence its efficiency A Again aln in Illinois the state board of health teas lias las for some sonic years past been the object of ot much criticism m Whatever What hat Whatever ever be tho the facts as to Improper licensing licens lag InS unpleasant rumor and gossip on un the subject have o been current The Tho result re result result re- re sult Is that many physicians have not been in sympathy thy with Uh the IllinoIs IllinoIs' b board ard and as a natural natural nat nat- ur ural l' l consequence th the effi eit efficiency efficiency effi- effi deney of ot the thc board has not been high L Loss of or confidence confidence dence ence from whatever cause causo prevents pre effective It Is now stated slated that the governor Io of ot Illinois Int Intends intend to reorganize the the state stat board or ol health with a n avIew aview view to restoring public con confidence In the activities of or this important bod body The Tho new appointments will HI be bo watched with In Inter Interest In- In terest- terest ter However the problem In these three great rent states elates la is final finally worked worked out It should should be lie insisted tia says gays the J Journal on of or th the American American Medical Association that expert qualification should be a requisite for lor any appointment ap appointment appointment ap- ap to the public IJ health or to the rani of ot those who have o the tho care of or our stale and county de dependents dt- dt The Tho Issues are aro too momentous to tu allow the Injection of ot partisan politics Into public health matters ers Those who live lI Ina In Ina a democracy can never forget for for- get crot that eternal vigilance is s the rho 01 price of ot lIbert liberty |