New-York tribune., 1904-10-09
BARS THEIR UNITING.s.
THE BYLAWS BLOCK 1T.
Resolution for AmaIgamatiOn of
Medical Societies Held Not Binding.

Ths movement 10 unite the Medical Associa-
tion of the State OF New-York and the New
York State Medical Society has received seri-
ous setback. II appears that the resolution
Dassed at the meeting OF the state Medical AS
sociation on March p, IN so far as it sought to
bind the members OF the association TO a plan
os analgamation with the State society was not
binding because the bylaws OF the association
do not set forth the manner OF serving notices
for a meeting members. An affidavit sworn
10 by Dr.. George A. Edwards. OF Syracuse. vice
president OF the Onondaga County Medical As
sociation. setting this forth. submitted 20 Jus
tice Fitzgerald. OF the Supreme Court at the
tine a motion for permission to unite was
heard stopped It is said. the granting OF the
application. II is further asserted that no ac-
ZION TO obtain the sanction Of the courts VIII be
saken until amalgamation IS legally possible
on October IS the annual meeting OF the
state Medical Association viii be held at the
Academy Of Medicine. 1t is expected then that
bylaws will be passed one OF which VIII be that
notices OF meetings can be served by mail.
Final action on this bylaw viii have 10 be post
poned for a year. according TO a rule OF the
association. A year later, when the bylaw is in
effect, meeting Of the State Medical Associa-
ton viii be called, ana the work OF bringing
about a consolidation Of the societies resumed
James Taylor Lewis counsel for the State
Medical Association, in a letter TO the council
OF the association, says:
The various divisions in this State seem 70 nd,-
cate that whore the manner of giving notice OF
meetings OF membership corpora lions IS omitted
from the bylaws. then the common law rule Rp-
plies which requires that II resolutions are 10 be
passed at any meeting which in any manner in
or property acquired by membership in such asso-
eiqtion that this notice of the meeting must he
moi fhroagh the mail nor by word Of mouth. and
such notice must contain the date. place and hour
OF the proposed meeting and the purpose for which
a is called. Ordinary business meetings. where
such privileges or rights are involved ] believe
would not require such f0rmality.
II would seem. therefore, that the resolution IN
favor of amalgamation adopted at the meeting
held on March p last, in so far as Il binds the
members OF the Eew-York State Medical Asso-
cauon 10 l5an OF arla igs nation with any other
orgalnizatlon ana IN 50 tar as II anects the
OF persons or property thus acquired, null and
void.
The fight between the two societies over code
Of ethics was begun in 1854. Up to that time
shere was only one large medical society in the
State-the state Medical Society In 1854 the
national medical body. the American Medical
Association. formulated a set Of rules OF con-
duct for the medical profession. called a code
OF ethics. The State Medical Society looked
askance al il and a result the American
Medical Association refused TO recognize the
then practising in this State held meeting
and formed the State Medical Association, and
since the the members of that association
have been the accredited representatives of
New-York state in the national body. Under
the code Of ethics the members of the State
consultation OF work with any legal practitioner
OF medicine.