The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-29
a LAME DEFEN or THE WOLFE
BILL.

In another column ID published COM
munieation from Dr. Pietrzycki Of Day
ton. assailing the position assumed in the
PosT-IsrKELsGExoER of December 20. in re-
spsci to Wolfe's bin for regulating the prae-
tice OF medicine and surgery.
The Doctor is disingsnuous. in that he
carefully Celebrates an argument on col
lateral issues, and Is equally careful TO ig-
more. utterly. the main point OF objection
raised in the article criticized. or 20 con-
trovert the assumption in that article that
the point he eyades covered the chief mo-
tive for the preparation Of the bill.
lie tacitly admits. and no regular ply
stefan viii deny, that except within narrow
limitations advertising is violative OF medi-
cal ethics and falls under the ban OF "un-
professional conduct" The Doctor is prob
ably correct in saying that some courts
have decided that this phrase IS not con-
struabIe-by eourt-aeeording TO the
rules Of medical ethics. and no court could
decide otherwise where the context of the
statute gave clear definition different
from that set up in medical ethics.
But under the provisions Of the Wolfe
bill Is Is not to be a court, governed BY
statutory. or. in the absence Of these. by
usual legal definitions, that is TO pass
upon the scope OF this phrase. 'unprotes-
sional conduct" but il is to be board
composed exclusively OF physicians. and
they certainly. without a statutory defni-
ton 70 control them, would define the
term according to the ethics of their pro-
fession.
And this any court would hold TO be
the clear intent Of a statute which should
constitute a tribunal, limit the membership
thereof 10 members Of q particular pro-
fession, required to refuse or revoke
licenses on the ground o: "unprofessional
conduct with no definition of the term
in the statute. bat clear and stringent
definition in the ethics of the profession
from which the statute required that The
members should be selected. And this
being the intent Of the act. 1t would be not
only the right but the duty 6f boerd con-
stitated and acting nnder its provisions 20
be controlled by She ethics OF the pro-
fession. in the absence OF conflicting
statutory definition.
This being the situation that the Wolfe
bill would create, il is perfectly legitimate
to assume that such was the object OF its
preparation. and as this Is the chief ma
serIal change it would effect in existing law,
If Is allowable and proper 20 infer that this
was its chief object
Hence ID is apparent that a eoterie of
physicians have ooncocted an ingenious
scheme 10 invoke the power Of the state for
the enforcement OF this narrow, parsimoni-
Gus, enterprise-dwarfing rule of their pro-
feSsional ethics. With few notable ex-
csptlons here and there. the very men who
are the most tenacious in their assistance
upon this rule. and most intolerant in re-
zpect TO its violation, are the nostieager TO
obtain grataitous advertising in the shape
Of elaborate reports of particular eases they
have successfully managed or brilliant OPP
erations they have performed or in which
they have taken part
Ii IS nlain that the passage OF the Wolfe
bill would be an uncalied-for and unwar-
rantahle interference with the business ar
engagements OF citizens. nr. Pletrzycki's
suggestion OF needed amendments to the
existing Law can be effected in a manner
far more simple, while free from the grave
objections with which the Wolfe blll bFis-
ties. II this or other physicians know that
every county IN the state can furnish am
PIE proof that licenses have been OBJ
tanned by false personations or the presen-
taEaon Of bogus diplomas. they fail Ia their
duty as citizens ia not making examples
Of the perpetrators, A very few such ex-
auplss would correct the evil more effect.
ually than would The enactment of the
the welfe hsn. and without the risk 81 ere
asine 3 greater estl. Hs who obtains
heeuse by fraudulent means Is subject 10
al tke penalties that attach fes pEaellc3nx
without license. and the existing law, If
dead letter. owes that fact 10 the failure
ct these 90 expose who are aware Of viola
slons. mocs clearly than 80 snintensional
mistakes Of clerks or recorders In issuing
licenses.
The Wclfe hill Is bold aisack apon the
newspaper interests q this stase. Il j. not
tie pArs Of the legislature to lend itself 20
IA attack against that or any other serti-
mSie business. The attention q tbs press
throughout sha state IS asaia called 10 The
manifest purpose OF this hsll. sna 10 tie IN.
evstAhle effect * SIS becoming law. Ia
usass Rot become 8 iAwi "Hs who would
u free. himself suust strike the hlow.
Tbs press FAUST Stgike. ard strike starday.
-~-~-----~~-~-~-~
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