The Washington herald., 1909-10-09
CLASH MARS CLOSE
Military Surgeons Settle the
Question of Precedence.
]. c. WISE REFUSES OFFICE
Medical Director Unsupported In
Contention for Committee Chair
manshipS According 20 Military
Rank-MOunt Vernon visited and
Tribute Paid Washington.

Before the door was bolted and the
word ''Finis" written ACROSS the oonven-
ton Of the Association Of Military Sur
geons yesterday little fight over pre-
cedence disturbed the placidity OF the
final session.
The excitement came when Surg. Gen.
Rixey read the appointments on the COM
mittee 10 consider amendments to the by
laws Of the association. He named the
following officers:
Lieut.. Col. w. d. McCaw, U. S. Al;
Medical Director J. c. Wise; Asst. Surg.
w f. Cofer. OF the Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service; Maj. Romulus
A. Foster. D. c. N. G.. and Lieut. Fred
erick NJ. Morhart, Naval Battalion. D..
c. N. C.
Has Rank of Colonel.
Medical Director Wise has the rank in
the navy equal to that Of the colonel in
the army and he inquired TO know sew
eral things. He asked II the chairman
ship OF the committee would go 70 the
officer holding the highest rank. at the
same time arguing that, as the assocla-
ton was purely military, rank could take
precedence in all its proceedings. Mat.
Lynch promptly arose TO differ with Med
ical Director Wise, and the debate wasted
nc time whatever in warming up. Surg.
Gen. Rixey refused 10 take sides, and
asked for a division.
The vote showed six IN favor OF Medi-
cal Director Wise's contention and the
rest Of the association opposed 70 It
In view of the decision of the associa-
ton" said Medical Director Wise, Il feel
obliged 10 decline 10 serve on the commit
tee. There is nothing personal in this.
but it is against my principles as an Off
Ger to serve under one my junior Mn
rank"
Then Surg Gen. Rixey appointed Surg.
c. +. Stokes, L. S. N. to serve in the
place Of the medical director.
New Officers Installed.
The new officers were installed and the
concluding programme opened. Surg. c.
?. Wertenbaker and Assistant Surg. Gen.
a. II. Glennan read papers on the
work done by the United States Pub
lie Health and Marine Hospital Service.
Medical Inspector L. W. Curtis said ex-
celent work was done on the trip OF the
battle-ship fleet around the world. be-
cause advance information was given re-
garding the sanitary condition Of the
ports 20 be visited.
Col. G.. c. Jones' OF the Canadian med
ical corps. made a short address, in
which he paid tribute TO the quarantine
service. Before adjournment was taken
resolutions were adopted thanking the
District Commissioners, Gen. Harries, the
committee on arrangements OF the assO-
citation, and the Chamber OF Commerce
for the hospitality shown the surgeons
and the foreign delegates. In his 'in-
augural address," the new president OF
the association. Col. Weaver. said Wash
ingtOn was the Ideal place 10 hold a ma
tlOnal convention, and attributed the sue
cess OF the present meeting TO this fact.
The convention closed in the afternoon
with a trip TO Mount Vernon aboard the
United States revenue cutter Apache. A
wreath was placed on the grave Of Wash
ington. Thaa host was Surg. Gen. Walter
Wyman. United States Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service. The next meet
ing Will be held I'm Richmond.