The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1899-06-28

me star aftAff1 On the dFstorH
trust published yesterday. Is TO-
day the one theme discussed by the
local medical fraternity. Star re.
porters visited the oftiee OF nearly
every physician In ire city ana did
not md one who had no, rvad thr
article In question. Some who we're
not regular readers % the paper had
recsived marked copies from other
practitioners. and there Was no heal
fancy about talking on the subjec,
when the intervlewers appeared. An
effort was made 10 see every physi-
oian In Seattle. but many we're out
attensiing 10 their professional du-
ties. hence tbs poll was not alto
Eether satisfactory. In every case
The stars representatives were POI
liteiy received. although some EN-
phatlc expressions ~ alwapprueation
were made by those who ala not APP
prove OF the cour-e Of the paper.
Their statements are given In fall.
just as made to tho reporters. ~
10 the intention Of the star 10 always
give both sides Of every controversy.
In an endsavor 90 secure fair play.
Not one OF the doctors denied the
Correctness Of the statements made
hy the star regarding the seal. Of
prices charged. or the organization
whieh exists to keep up the prices.
Several did ask. howsver. fer tho
pane Of the physician who had Civ
en- To the paper a copy Of the private
Constitution. and fee Lisa II the Med
irsi society. The sIr eoald not con-
slstsntiy grant these requests for In
formation It has. however. In It's
possession one Of the printed copies
Of the Constitution. bylaws and
Fee Ban Of the King County Nsdi-
cal Society presented 60 u BY one
Of the prominent doctors OF Seattle.
and the statements published yestsr-
day regarding ne fees and the pen
aittss for nou-conformfty were taken
word for word from this pamphlet.
Ststsasats Of noetors
DR.. Thomas W. Sloan. Il do no,
think the schedule a fees here In
Seattle Ia too high for the average
patient OF course. there are per-
Sons who are unable to pay ths mint
mum Zee. and 10 such ! have often
donated my services. The latitude
given In the schedule il based on the
pattent's ability to pay. II IL case
Of the rich paying for the poor. for
an average must BE- struck somehow.
or Physicians would be in bad straits
While have never reduced the fees
below the standard set by the So
fa.ety. have uffsn, in eases where
Hnef Il proper. rendered bill for
Suil amount and accepted at por-
settlement."
". J. Booth appeared very re-
factant to discuss the question. He
declined 10 say whether or not ne
would accept less than the schedule
fee from patient unable TO pay
such amount
DIR. 8. J. Holmes. n do not think
that any reputable physician would
cypress n patient to the extent %
insisting on payment tn accordance
with the fee bill ~ he believed that
By 10 doing II would Rrleyously en-
barrass him II IL my custom in
such cases 10 present a bill accord
ing 70 the schedule u the society.
but 70 take what ! can get In pay
ment. ~ for the argument sdvane-
ID against high fees. 70 the effect the
sufferer IL deferred from calling in
n physician. knowing that he Will be
taxed according 70 our socieiy'g scale
will state that this schsdule IL not
supposed to BE- in the hands of any
but members % the society. 30 that
the patient Is practically ignorant OF
what he may be charged. The POSI-
fion Of the patient Il a factor that
Is considered in nxing a fee. A
wealthy patient IL. OF course. chnrg-
Ell more than one IN more moderate
circumstances. and this mas always
been the custom"
DIR. Annie Russell Il am not
member Of the King County Medical
society, but have adopted their
schedule Of fees. a. has every other
physician of any standing In Seattle.
i. however. accept smaller fees from
poor patients. believe that the
ability OF person to pay should be
considered in fixing the amount OF
n bill. The rates for medical SER
vices In Eastern cities cannot be
established here. n for no other
reason than that the security for
payment there doesn't exist here. on
account OF the large floating popuia-
tion. A physician in the East does
not lose more than 10 per cent. Of the
money due him. Here he IL for
tunate n he doesn't lose more than
Is Der cent"
DIR. r. A. Noble. "rhe whole secret
of high fees here In Seattle lies In the
counter prescription habit. There IL
not a drug store IN Seattle. the pro-
prietor and clerks Of which are not
continually usurplng the functions OF
physicians and prescribing for Gus
TONERS. Waite. OF course. the great
sr number OF such persons fnsIly