Address of Mayor W. G. Platt by W. G. Platt

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1907

Address of Mayor W. G. Platt

By W. G. Platt

Ladies and Gentlemen:—

Appearing for a time as the representative of the citizens of Takoma Park, it is with pleasure that I welcome you to our beautiful suburb on this memorable occasion. The Washington Sanitarium Association is engaged in a great and noble work—a work which appeals to the best in our natures; and it is a peculiar satisfaction to our citizens to know that their scientific judgment confirms our own judgment in choosing our town as a place of great natural healthfulness. In making this choice, they but give fulfilment to the prophecy of others who have been before us.

Twenty years ago I visited this identical spot in company with Mr. B. F. Gilbert, the founder of Takoma Park, who pointed out to me its many attractive features.

I remember that he called my attention to the peculiar fact that the sound of the rippling waters of the beautiful Sligo can be heard much more distinctly from this point than from any other of equal distance, but what is of especial interest on this occasion is the fact that he made the statement at that time that nature had designed this place for a sanitarium, and that it was his intention to reserve it for that purpose.

For years this was a cherished plan with him, and he constantly sought to enlist the interest of the medical fraternity in such a project. He finally succeeded in securing the co-operation of a celebrated physician of New York to build such an institution, but the financial troubles of 1893 prevented the consummation of his plan.

However, it was a source of the greatest satisfaction to Mr. Gilbert in his declining years to know that persons skilled in the treatment of disease, who have made a success of sanitarium work throughout the whole civilized world, should verify his judgment in selecting this as an ideal spot for a sanitarium.

The people of Takoma Park are justified in the great pride which they take in this institution, not merely because of the erection of this beautiful building, but rather because of the fact that this delightful suburb of Washington through this institution is sure to become known throughout the world for what it really is—one of the most healthful spots in America.

This is not a mere idle, extravagant, or thoughtless statement made to exalt our pride of home, but is fully justified by the vital statistics. Prior to 1904 we had no official record. The report of the registrar of vital statistics for 1904 shows five deaths from natural causes; not a case of typhoid fever or other contagious disease.

In 1905 there were five deaths from natural causes; three cases of typhoid fever, all originating out of the town, and all quick recoveries. During the same period there were eleven hundred cases of typhoid fever in Washington, and one hundred and thirty-five deaths resulting therefrom.

In 1906 there were six deaths, three of them being temporary residents, and there were no cases of typhoid fever, although this disease was prevalent in Washington and in the surrounding country.

The census report of 1900 shows that the average death-rate in the United States was about seventeen in a thousand, and no city or town whose record is given has a death-rate lower than nine in a thousand. The average death-rate of Takoma Park during the three years mentioned was less than three in a thousand.

This is a remarkable showing, and clearly demonstrates that if this institution succeeds financially, it must get its patronage outside of Takoma Park.

In view of these facts, then, we are gratified at your coming here; we hope loyally to support you in all your efforts to make this Sanitarium a source of renewed health to thousands, and thereby known the world over. Our trust is that they who come to it, and they who go away in the full vigor of renewed health, may know and appreciate not alone the beauty of the place, the purity of the environment, but above all, the hospitality and generous nature of our people who join with me in a hearty welcome.