The mission of the three classes of sanitarians above mentioned may go still further. It may go to the extent of prodding the conscience of the tardy doctor, and even to the sweeping aside of the sentimental obstructions which the unenlightened are able to put in the path of the conservation of life. There is ample law for present and probably for future needs, and the control of national health remains, after all, today where it has remained in the past, and where it always will remain, that is, with the American people, not solely with the government, nor with the State or municipal health agencies. Each of the great nations of the world has gone about the direction of its public health work in its own way, and always with the realization that the ideal is not necessarily the practical, and what is best today may be supplanted by better tomorrow.
To summarize the situation, we have today State boards of health in control of State sanitation, operating under proper and ample State law. We have municipal health organizations operating under their own legal authority, and finally we have the United States Public Health Service, operating under several laws, as stated before, more far-reaching in their scope than is indicated by the activities pursued under their authority. The people, apparently, are satisfied so far as the Public Health Service is concerned. When the people want anything more they will demand it, and if available appropriations will not admit of compliance with such requests they will be forthcoming. Therefore, I am at a loss to suggest what additional health legislation is necessary or desirable to be engrafted upon that already existing in this country, and I am unable to see the necessity for any different plan of organization so long as the people, in whose behalf the organization is being maintained, are satisfied.
In closing, I wish to say that I have endeavored simply to place various facts before this Congress, and while I do not pretend to have exhausted this branch of the subject, I fear that I can not say the same with regard to your patience.
President White here requested Dr. Henry Wallace, of Des Moines, Iowa, to take the Chair.
Address, “Land Frauds”
Chairman Wallace—We are now ready to hear the report of the Committee on Lands and Agriculture. The first speaker will be Dr. George E. Condra, of Lincoln, Neb., whose subject is “Land Frauds, or Get-Rich-Quick Schemes.”
Dr. Condra—Mr. President and Delegates: Some of you may recall the fact that the speaker has briefly outlined this subject at each of the preceding Congresses, under the head, “Conservation of Business.” The discussion offered at this time is based on reliable information secured from many States. It is largely the result of field work. The data are presented according to the viewpoint of Conservation and should be so considered.
Do you fully realize that the principles of Conservation are permeating every department of human industry, improving the processes, increasing efficiency, and promoting common honesty, that the idea of equity is increasing in force? That it is being extended to business not for the purpose of holding it in check, but primarily for protection against fraud? This movement for square dealing certainly is in order for business is sore with graft and tracked by fraud at every turn. Plain it is that many transactions in the realm of commerce fall outside the sphere of true business. They grade from those that are doubtful on through to those that are plainly fraudulent and therefore criminal. The term “business,” however, has a splendid meaning which should be conserved. It symbolizes honesty, stability, honor and reliability. Sharp practice, double dealing and doubtful promotion are but parasites and should be so regarded. They have no legitimate place in business and are being eliminated.
Several persons have spoken in this Congress on pure food, eugenics, etc. Their messages will tend to make people healthier and better fit to be fathers and mothers. All this is good. Dr. Wiley and others have emphasized the importance of pure food and health laws, but how many go back of this matter of health and food to the land, or source of our food and raiment and show the great need for pure land laws? (Applause.) The State trains its sanitary engineers, lawyers and physicians for their life work. It examines the lawyers and doctors before permitting them to practice, but how about land agents? They are good and bad. Many of them have no special qualifications for their work and should not be permitted to do about as they please without restriction, promoting this and that deal which may or may not have merit. Grant me your closest attention and I will point out certain classes of fraud that operate in connection with the development of mineral lands, irrigation, fruit lands, eucalyptus culture, drainage, dry land farming and the small tract propositions.
Promotion of Mineral Land.—The amount of money sent from the country and town and city to doubtful mine promoters is enormous. The return for this outlay is small, in some places less than one cent for each dollar. Yet the public does not fully realize that nearly all reasonably sure propositions are not available for wanton promotion, that a mere prospect is not a mine, and that fraudulent promoters are hurting the mining business.[3]