Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-24
DOCTORS AND DIRECTORS
Their Relations Are Harmonious at Col
umbia Lying-In Hospital
Differences Over the Dispensnry De-
thing is Running Smoothly.

Considerable interest has been occasioned
in medical circles by the announcement
that differences of a serious character had
arisen between some Of the members of the
medical board of Columbia Lying-in Hos
pital and the lay directors Of that institu-
ton. 1t has been known for some time that
DR.. j. Foster Scott, the chief obstetrician
at the hospital, was bitterly opposed to the
action taken by the board of directors
some time ago in removing the dispensary
department of the hospital from under the
charge of the medical board, and organiz-
ing it as separate branch directed by the
members of the lay board. The establish
nent of the dispensary, under the condi-
tons described, was accompanied by the
appointment of Or. Smith as superintend-
ent in charge. 1t is said that DR.. Smith,
who is son of Mr.. Frank H. Smith, a
member of the board of directors, had
things made quite unpleasant for him dur
ing his sojourn at the hospital, and that
the board of lay directors did not consider
that he had Teen treated altogether justly.
The recent action of the directors in elect
ing DR.. Henry d. Frye as chief obstetrician
in the place of DIR. Scott caused much Cos
sip, and there have been all sorts of ru-
mors going around regarding the dissen-
sions that are alleged to exist between the
medical and lay boards who exercise con-
troll over the respective branches of the
hospital.
Conversation today with several persons
familiar with the facts in the case dis
covered nothing to show that there were
row any differences existing between the
professional and non-professional gentle
men connected with the institution.
The Facts in the Case.
Mr.. Nathaniel Wilson, who Is president
of the board of directors of the hospital
was visited by a Star reporter today and
1nterrogated in relation to the rumors of
trouble at the institution. There has been
no trouble" said Mr.. Wilson, land do not
anticipate that there will be any, even
though efforts may be made to bring it
about. The fact of the matter is that some
time ago the board of directors concluded
to give more attention to the dispensary
department of the hospital, and with this
end in view separate organization of that
department was instituted, and a young
man, who had studied both abroad and in
this country, and who was well fitted to
the position, was placed in charge of it.
He was the son of Mr.. F. H. Smith, a MEM
Der of the board of directors
Some Of the surgeons on the medical
board. l believe. rather objected to the es-
tablishment of the dispensary under the
conditions / have described, but it was
merely of a temporary nature and Dr.
Smiths appointment was of Emitted char
acter also. The time for which he was ap-
pointed expired just previous to the annual
election, on Tuesday last, and things are
going on now just as they were previous to
his appointment.
The officers of the Columbia Lying-in
Hospital" continued Mr.. Wilson, ARE NOM
mated by & committee, consisting of Mr..
H. A. Willard, Mr.. S. w. Woodward and
MIR. Wine. When the nominations of the
medical board for the coming year were
announced, the name of DR.. Frye was pre-
sented in place of that of DR.. Scott, who
has been at the hospital for long time
When this action of the nominating COM
mittee was made known, DR.. King, who
was Or. Scotts associate in the obstetrical
side OF the hospital, resigned, and his place
has been filled by the selection of DR. Mo-
ram Everything is running along smoothly
and | do not anticipate that the future will
ind it otherwise
His Time Had Expired.
Other members of the executive board of
the Institution stated that the hospital was
absolutely harmonious in all it's depart
ments and that perfect harmony existed be-
tween the medical board and the lay di-
rectors of the hospital In regard to the
the non-election of Dr. Wilfred NJ Barton
to succeed himself as resident physician of
the hospital, it was stated that the Gus
tom has always been to follow the system
or rotation in office in the place of the resi-
dent physician, and this course was follow
ed IN the present instance DR.. Barton's
time lad expired and DIR. r. H. Won Ez-
dorf, who had been his first assistant, was
promoted to be resident physician, while
two other physicians who were chosen
after competitive examination and nomi-
pointed first and second assistants to Dr.
Won EZdOrf