Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-13
EXAMINING: = SURGEONS
OFFICIAL BODY ADDRESSED BY
PENSION COMMISSIONERS.
Gives Figures From Records Regard
ing Union Survivors, Of the
Civil War. 20


al Association of United States Pension
Examining Surgeons convened shortly after
10 o'clock this morning in the hall of the
law department of Georgetown University,
on E street between 9Th and 9th streets
northwest. DR.. William A. Howe, president
of the association, after calling the meeting
to order, introduced Eugene F. Ware, COM
missioner of pensions. who made the adj
dress of welcome. The address of Commits
sioner Ware was frequently interrupted by
the laughter and applause occasioned by his
humorous sayings.
IAN American philosopher once said,'
stated Mr.. Ware. that the proper study of
mankind was woman. but after having been
In the pension bureau for some time came
to the conclusion that the old Greek phil
osopher was right when he said the proper
study of mankind is man. Man is afflicted
with two Diseases continued the speaker,
youth and old age. Some never recover
from the first and myself suffered from it
for many years, but finally recovered with
out medical assistance. do not expect to
be afflicted with the second
Mr. Ware then spoke of the large number
of survivors of the men who fought for the
Union. stating that the number reached
over 100000. of whom 100000 are carried
upon the pension rolls. He told of the raw
ages death is making in the ranks of the
old soldiers. about 100 answering the last
roll call each day.
Mr. Ware assured those present that they
need not fear they would run out Of a job
as Congress was continually charging the
pension appropriations. He then spoke of
the number of pension examining surgeons,
of whom there are about 4.400 scattered
throughout the country with 1 400 examin-
ing boards. He told of the immense amount
of work being accomplished by the examin-
ers stating that there were nearly 600 eX-
aminations conducted every working day
of last year.
In concluding his remarks Commissioner
Ware stated that he hoped the pathological
sequence of the meeting would be a great
diffusion of knowledge and the building up
of the art and science of the profession,
and that 1t would be benefit to the United
States. to the pension bureau. to the old
soldiers and to the association.
Response to Address Of Welcome.
In responding to the address of welcome
DR.. William A. Howe expressed the thanks
Of the association for the cordial welcome
extended by the commissioner and medical
referee, and for their support given the
association in its early life. DR.. Howe
expressed the belief that the association
had risen above the boyhood stage al
though not yet year old. DR.. Sam Hous-
ton of this city, medical referee of the
pension bureau, will address the meeting
tomorrow.
Among those to read papers before the
session before it's close tomorrow are DR..
P. Y. Eisenberg of Norristown, Pa; C. w.
s. Frost of Waterbury, Conn; w. T.
Sarles of Sparta Wis; DR.. William War
rem Potter of Buffalo, N. Y; DR.. Ernest
F. Robinson of Kansas City. Mo-, surgeon
United States army; DR.. j. o. Stillson of
Indianapolis, Ind; DR.. John c. Hemmeter
of Baltimore, Md, and Dr. A. B. Richard
son of this city. DR.. Howe will deliver his
address to the meeting tomorrow, when the
election Of officers for the ensuing year
will take. place. ~
The association was formed last year by
about seventy-fve surgeons who assembled
at Saratoga. N. Y. The membership has
steadily grown, until this year it numbers
700. Members of the association feel greatly
gratif1ed at the great stride the association
has taken and feel confident that it has
great future before IT. - ,.-J Il
The officers are: President, VIM A. Howe,
MD. Phelps, N. Y; vice presidents, Cyrus
L. Stevens, MD. Athens, Pa; Charles
James Fox, Willimantic. Conn; executive
committee. the president, -officio; Francis
w. Firmin, NJ. D., Finday. Ohio; J. Sutciffe
Hill, MD, Bellows Falls, VT; Warren f.
Anderson. MD. Pensacola Fla; Henry
Alters. Md, Newark, N. j. John RI. Max
well MP, Newton. ILL.,; G. Lane fancy
hill, MD, Baltimore, Md; secretary.
Wheelock Rider Md, Rochester, N. Y:
secretary, DR.. Charles H. Gledden of Little
Falls, N. Y.