Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-27
VETERINARIANS AT BANQUET
LOCAL ASSOCIATION ENTERTAINS
AT HOTEL DEWEY.
Addresses by Secretary Wilson, Repre-
sentative Hull, DR.. VIM. c. Wood
ward and Others.

The initial banquet of the Veterinary
Medical Association of the District of CO.
lumbia was held at the Hotel Dewey Sat
urday night. The recent legislation govern
ing the practice of veterinary surgery in the
District and the prominent position this
profession has acquired were the themes en-
thusia stirally discussed. More than fifty
members of the association and their
guests including the Secretary of Agrlcul-
ture and Representative J. A. I. Hull, were
present.
The action of the Fifty-ninth Congress IN
enactins the law regulating the practice OF
veterinary surgery i'll the District, restrict
ing it to only legitimate veterinarians, ana
creating a board of examiners to enforce
the requirements. was referred 10 III NUS
complimentary terms by the speakers: Nltn
such legislation and the support OF Ion i
pr,ss and of such men as Secretary w IL
son who is known a firm DelleNer anu
ardent advocate of legitimate Neteliiials
practice, the members OF the associd.ioii
predict a great future for the profession.
Gives Chance to the Worthy.
This law will DO one thing, if nothing
elso said DR. John Z. Turner, who pre-
SIDED as toastmaster, in his opening re-
marks. land that is it will give the worthy
practitioners their chance. and will relieve
the .uhlic of frauds and quacks, thus up
lifting the dignity OF the profession.
Among the other prominent guests pres
cnt were Or Harvey W. Wiley, chief or
the bureau of chemistry. Department Oh
Agricuiturc, Or. William {. NOouWaru.
health officer OF the District Or: a: y.
Melvin. chief of the bureau of animal IN,
duStry, department OF Agriculture, anu
Dr. Charles ". Stiles.
In response to an introduction as tine
greatest friend Of the veterinarians, Sec
rotary Wilson replied that he is Interested
as much in the cause and advancement OF
this profession as are the members of the
ASSOCIATION themselves, ana whatever ne
had done in the interest of the profession
toward securing legislation had been done
with Il selfish motive. He had for long
time appreciated the fact. he said that his
department is in sore need of the most
skilled and best educated veterinarians that
can be obtained, and this was one or the
ways of getting them.
Mr. Wilson said he regretted the fact
that the War Department has not done
more for the profession by lettering that
branch of the army. Il am informed, he
said that many CT the veterinarians of the
army are an inferior lot. This should be
remedied by giving inducements to legiti-
mate veterinarians to Join. They should
be commissioned and paid the same as
other officers of the army, as Is done IN
the foreign countries.
Representative Hull's Address.
Representative Hull, who is chairman of
the House committee military affairs.
prompted by Secretary Wilson's uncompl-
mentary reference to the veterinarians Of
the army, took up the cudgel in defense of
the latter, and stated that the army re-
quires applicants for such places to be
graduates from some veterinary school or
else a legitimate practitioner with several
years of experience. and a result the
force is able and efficient, and for its size
compares favorably with that of any of
the foreign nations. He admitted, however,
that the veterinarians in the service should
be commissioned, and ventured the opinion
that 1t would not be difficult for the MEM
bers of this association to secure the enact
ment of a law authorizing 1t at the next
session of Congress
Others who spoke were Dir. Wiley. DIR.
Woodward. DIR. Stiles, DR.. G. B. Robinson,
District veterinarian: DIR. Melvin and DIR.
Hubert Young, president of the associa-
ton.
The members of the association present
were Drs. Blume. Buckingham, Turner,
Collins, Young, Robinson. Rome, Melvin,
Stiles, Harrington, Hungerford Pearson.
Washburn. f. S. Wolmer, NJ Wolmer,
Frey, Mitchell. Weeks, Yetton. Shelby,
Stafford, Wootten, Summers. Linberg,
keifer, Hickman. Heidie and Turner.