The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-28
OFFER BEING CONSIDERED
LENGTHY SESSION OF MARION COUN-
TY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Proposition of DIR. j. Ewing Mears
Doesn't Meet with the Hearty
Approval of All.

The members OF the Marion County Medi-
cal Society divided into two factions at the
special meeting last night when the ques-
ton OF accepting the proposition OF DIR. J.
Ewing Mears. OF Philadelphia. to establish
a memorial to his father. came up for dis
cussion. The faction which was against
hssty acceptance of the proposition carried
its point after long discussion and a post
ponement of the matter was taken until
next Tuesday evening
The meeting was called to hear report
Of the special committee the subject of
the proposed Mears memorial. Several
weeks ago the executive committee.
posed OF L. H. Cunning, Theodore Potter
and s. p. Scherer. together with a special
committee comprising +. 3. Wynn. l.. F.
Hodges. T. b. Noble. w. n. Wishard. H.
~. Nash. r. Rilus Eastman. George w
Sloan and Louis Burckhardt. entered into
correspondence with DR.. j. Ewing Mears
OF Philadelphia. regarding the memorial
which DIR. Mears desired 10 erect 20 his
father. DR.. George w. Mears. formerly of
Indianapolis.
DIR. J. Ewing Mears notified the committee
that he desired to give 70 the Marion
County Medical Society, under certain con-
ditions. the property at 30 and 80 West
Vermont street. which is a part of the
Mears estate. and has frontage of sixty
feet and a depth Of 200 feet, being valued
at about $4,000. DR.. Mears desires TO es-
tablfsh and endow this property, says
the committee, "a medical library. TO found
home for the medical society that shall
be equipped with all that goes to elevate
the standard Of medicine and the pro-
fesSion- His ideal in the consideration of
this project has been the College Of Physi-
great medical library with a museum and
III effect all that contributes 10 the adj
vancement of medical science"
TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
The proposition of the doctor is to be-
queath to the society the property named.
to be held in trust for it. One-half of the
double brick residence is to be rented TO the
society for its use at SIS a month and per
cent. interest, making the rent $50 month
AT the death of the donor all rentals will
cease. The donor also agrees to give $50
annually toward the library. The commit
tee recommended the acceptance of the
offer
The question Of acceptance without delay
ELECTED much discussion. and Dr. j. L.
Thompson moved to amend the motion to
adopt the report by adding that final action
De deferred until a subsequent meeting.
Inis caused further discussion. in which
members OF the two factions spoke without
reserve. One OF the doctors, who is only
fukewarm about accepting the proposition,
claimed that in accepting Dr. Mears's offer
the society would be no better off than IL is
at present. He said it would mean the re-
moval of the medical library from the city
library, where IL Is preserved in a fire-proof
structure, TO a brick residence where there
would be danger He also said that while
the committee estimated the cost of re-
modelling the house on Vermont street for
society purposes at about 81, 600, he believed
IL would cost fully 5000 TO make the struc-
ture suitable for society purposes. This he
M "A Ii
brarian and extra cost of maintaining the
new home. would necessitate increase
In the dues, and that would drive out of the
society many members who now belong.
and would also prevent young physicians
from becoming members OF the society. He
also objected 10 the proposition because DR..
Mears will not allow the society TO mort
gage the property at any time.
DIR. John III. Oliver also spoke against
the acceptance of the offer at present. He
said the society left the courthouse and
took rooms in the Willoughby building, and
He said that instead of lettering condi-
lions the society would be deterioriating,
and that IL would be unwise to move the Ii
brary away from hre-proof structure.
DR.. T. b. NOBLE REPLIES.
Dr. T. B. Noble. who is a member of the
special committee, said the society was ad-
vancing and 1t should accept the offer of
DIR. Mears. as it meant permanent home.
To this DIR. Oliver again replied that IL
was not the purpose of the society TO deal
In brick houses and other real estate. and
IL should fully weigh all questions before
entering into any such proposition.
II was remarked that the society could
gain full control OF the double house and
rent one side of IL TO medical students and
another proposition came up that the city
library MAJ establish branch library at
the society home, which would release the
society from care of the books and the
pay or a librarian. Many of the doctors
objected to the latter proposition because
IL was not definite that the city would
take such a step. DR.. Kolmer objected 10
the proposition TO rent one side of the
house TO medical students. saying that ii
would cause war between the two medi-
cal colleges In the city to see which would
gain control OF the house.
After discussing the matter until 10
O'Clock without arriving at any conclusion
II was dcci1Sf. TO send for Or. j. Ewing
Mears. who is in the city. and he accepted
the invitation TO address the society He
reiterated the proposition set out above
and said he was willing to remain in the
city until the society can take final action
on the matter. Ii was then voted TO posi-
pone final action until next Tuesday night
TO allow time for a consultation with an
attorney and for the members who are now
against accepting the proposition TO further
consider the question.