The Topeka state journal., 1901-04-18
A HEAP OF TROUBLE
Was Prepared For KansasOptic-
ians by Last Legislature.

"A friend Of the opticians Of the state,
seeking to care for their interests in the
last legislature, succeeded in causing
thera heaps of trouble. Noah l. Bow
man. representative from Anderson
count. in good faith, played the role O.
over-zealous friend. Through his insis-
tence the opticians were included in the
medical bill and placed under the juris-
dictiOn OF the board OF medical exaTnln-
alton and registration, where neither
they nor the board. nor the doctors of
the state want them to be-
Just now the opticians are greatly ag-
itated- They have organized the Kansas
Association of Opticians and the trou-
BILE that has been discovered to be upon
them is being used as an incentive to
swell the membership roll. The asso-
citation was organized January Z. 1901
It has the following officers. President,
A H. Edison, Topeka: first vice presi-
dent. o. o. Osborne, Wichita; second
vice president, v F. Anderson, Smoke
mo; secretary, J. E Littlefield. Topeka;
treasurer. W. J. Lewis. Topeka
They are going to fight the iniGuitOus
provisions of the bill. although the med
1cal men protest that the hardships the
opticians discern as awaiting them are
imaginary and a borrowing of trouble.
Tackled On to section Of the bill is
the following provision:
Provided, any person holding diDlO-
ma issued by an optical college and Wnc
has studied the anatomy of the eye and
contiguous parts for at least six months
under a competent teacher, and " no
shall pass an examination satisfactory
to the state board of medical registra-
ffon and examination, shall be eligible
TO register as an Optician or doctor Of
optics. and shall be otherwise governed
by this act so far as the same is appli-
cable"
How it came to be there is an interest
ing story. A Garnett optician watched
the formation of the bill and advised
his representative in the house. Noah L
Bowman. that a clause should be insert
ed relating to opticians. for fear that if
left out they would be put out Of bus
iness in the state entirely. Like good
representative, Jealous for his cCnstit-
uents, Nfr. Bowman insisted upon the
clause being inserted against the wishes
and advice Of the physicians drafting the
bill and over their protest
Now that it is in the bill and the op-
ticianS Of the state are brought under
the supervision Of the board they are
are sending out calling for an annual
meeting Of the association in Topeka.
Nay 1. asserts that the new medical law
passed by the last legislature viii wipe
out the business OF all opticians unless
they are graduates of an optical college;
have studied the anatomy of the eye and
contiguous parts, human physiology and
natural philosophy under a competent
teacher for six months and are able
to pass an examination such as it
may please a probably hostile board to
AAObQQAL-
1t also asserts that if. after September
]. 1901. the receiver of the circular letter
fits a single pair OF glasses without TAX
ing the examination prepared by the al
legged hostile medical board he will be
liable to a fine of 5000, and urges each to
Join the associs ton A membership fee
of 81 is asked to be at once forwarded
TO the secretary
Dr. Swan. secretary of the state board
Of health. says that the opticians are in
dulging in q. needless worry. The clause
was Inserted in the bill by a friend OF the
opticians" said he. so they have no
one tQHblame but themselves. 7 think the
board VIII not make them any trouble.
If were to make the policy Of the
board, would ignore that section en-
tirely. have an idea the board will do
80. anyhow. The intent of the law is to
regulate the practice Of medicine and
surgery and not to govern the fitting Of
glasses
we could not convince Mr.. Bowman
Of the difference between an oculist and