The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-11
FOR A MAJOR GENERAL SHIP.
GEORGIA PHYSICIANS WANT RANK
OF SURGEON GENERAL RAISED.

Memorials to This Effect Sent to the
President, Secretary of War, Sena-
tors and Congressman From GeOr-
gin and Medical Associations and
Journals Throughout the Country.
The Letters Being Sent Out From
savannah by the Chairman, DR..
j. LaVvtOn HERS.
Dr. ]. Lawton HERS, as chairman of
the committee appointed for the purpose
at the recent meeting of the Georgia
Medical Association, has begun the work
of sending out copies of the resolution
adopted by the association urging united
action upon the part of the medical as
ISOLATION and the medical fraternity gen
orally throughout the United States in the
effort TO have the rank OF surgeon gem
eral of the United States army
raised from brigadler to major general in
order that the rank may be commensu-
rate with the duties and responsibilities
of the position.
The resolution to this effect having
been proposed by Dr. HERS he was APP
pointed chairman of the committee. The
other two members of the committee
are DR.. r. ]. Mum of Savannah and Dr.
J. B. S. Holmes of Atlanta. Dr. Hers
has mailed copies of the resolution TO
President Mckinley Secretary Of War
Alger, and the senators and representa-
tiyes from Georgia. Copies will be mail
ed to all the medical societies and the
leading medical journals of the United
States. The resolutions are accompanied
by the following letter:
Dear Sir: We have the honor to trans
nit herewith, through you TO the Medical
Associations copy of the resolutions unan-
imously adopted by the Medical Associa-
ton of Georgia, at its fiftieth annual ses-
sion, convened in Macon. Ga, on the 18th
and 2lst of April, 1899, touching the matter
of according increased rank TO the sur
geon general of the army, by raising the
Office from the grade Of a brigadIer 10 that
OF major general, and at same time, the
Undersigned by resolution also, We're con-
stituted a committee to communicate our
associations action to all medical bodies
in the United States, and ask their CO
operation, active and earnest IN TINS Ell
fort, inaugurated 20 elevate the position
of surgeon general of the army TO rank
more commensurate with the profound
learning, varied experience and high or
der of administrative talent required IN
one assuming the grave Responsibilities OF
the position, to ensure the successlull as
charge of the duties thereunto appertain-
ing.
Members of our profession who are like
ly 10 be called to the surgeon generals Of
excess of that 10 be derived from the
position, though II be raised to the rank OF
major general with its pay and allowances.
ana for the dignity of our profession, as
well as the sacrifice that must be made
oy each incumbent, our association was
unanimous in the opinion that the posi-
ton should be made one of the most inn
portant in the army, as il is second to
none in the vast and varied responsibilities
ii imposes.
We sincerely trust. therefore, that our
ASSOCIATION may be ab.e TO enlist the Amer
lcan Medical Association IN this matter by
me adoption of some similar form of ac-
non, and have its earnest and active CO.
operation in the effort TO induce Congress
80 appreciate the justice and extreme pro-
Priety of this effort, by placing your body
IN communication with as many senator's
and representatives in Congress as il can
approach upon this subject before the
meeting of Congress in December next,
or as soon IL may be practicable.
we, are firmly of the opinion that the
earnest submission of this matter to Con
sress by the solid front of the medical
procession of the United States will GER
,alhly accomplish the end sought Of adj
1ahclng the position Of surgeon general
W rank more commensurate with the
responsibilities and obligations of the high