56 WAYS AND MEANS 



with them. The probable results should be outlined 

 and the work done elsewhere described. The brilliant 

 results obtained in the rainy Federated Malay States, 

 on the Panama Canal, or the almost rainless Suez 

 Canal and Khartoum can safely be quoted. The 

 estimated cost should be set forth and the report 

 should be printed and circulated. It will not be a 

 costly matter, and the local health office can usually 

 find means for doing this. Or it can be typed, or 

 even written if the town is a small one, and then 

 sent round to all the influential citizens. If there is 

 an urban council of any kind, each member should be 

 supplied with a copy, and the local journal convened 

 to assist. 



If there is no local authority which can supply the 

 necessary funds, recourse must be had to public sub- 

 scription, unless some private corporation is willing 

 to undertake the work for a charitable purpose. But 

 to pay for an established public reform by an inter- 

 mittent general subscription is always an unsatisfac- 

 tory proceeding ; and to leave it in the hands of 

 charity is immoral. The work is to be done for the 

 good of the whole community, and it should be paid 

 for by that community. 



The State then must produce the necessary funds, 

 and it probably will do so if approached in the right 

 way. If the report is drawn up well, and the idea is 

 backed by influential persons, the State can hardly 

 refuse its support. If it does refuse, such a refusal 

 will be based on the plea of economy. But the plea 

 of economy is a poor pill to give a sick town, and few 



