Article September 23, 1911 Issue

It has been said that the nation takes more interest in...

Boston Times

It has been said that the nation takes more interest in the conservation of agricultural industries than in the conservation of the public health. This argument is not well placed, since whatever of interest the nation takes in agriculture, pure foods, etc., is a marked contribution toward the public health. Because the government does its duty in this direction is no reason why it should overstep its bound and enter into unnecessary and improper paternalism. Whether or not the Owen bill would contribute toward the health of the public is a question. Whether or not what it proposes that is of real benefit to the public is not already provided for in other ways, is also a question.

One of the leading provisions of the proposed bill is that research as to the cause of disease, etc., shall be instituted, and literature shall be furnished the public, educating them accordingly. Of course, such research would be along the particular lines prescribed by whoever happened to be in power from time to time in the new federal department, and it certainly would not be according to the views of the general public. So long as there is such a wide difference of opinion as to what constitutes proper research, it seems best that each particular school should carry on its own research according to its chosen methods, experiment for itself and pay its own bills. Until the various schools get closer together and arrive at something more definite and final than is in vogue at the present time, it seems better that each private institution should continue experimentation for itself. It does not seem fair that the whole people should be called upon to furnish money by taxation to finance a propaganda that is only believed in by part of the people.

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