The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-07
sUMpTUARY LEGISLATION

If the people of Alabama have gone on record on any one question, they have gone on record in opposition 10 sumptuary and drastic legislation
 If there ever was a sumptuary and drastic bill, 1t is a bill introduced in the senate by Dr. 0. s. Justice, senator from Fillmore and Talapoosa coun- ties, making 1t unlawful for a physi- elan to advertise. Under the Justice | bill, a physician who advertises his profession will have his license an- nulled. The next and logical step in such legislation, is to prosecute crim- inally any person who goes to a phy- sician who adyertises his professional services. The bill is incomplete, in pro- viding for punishing a physician who ad- vertises; it should provide for the pun ishment of people who go to him for treatment. We can understand easily how the people of Alabama will feel about such a sumptuary and partisan measure as this.
 The physicians of Alabama have one of the most compact and effective pro- fessional organizations in the state. Probably of all professional organiza- tions, 1t is perhaps the most complete and the most efficient Members of that organization can adopt rules which taboo any physician from membership in the association who advertises. Such rule has been adopted, and is in effect. The rule is not now under criticism or under, fire, but under the bill introduced by Dr. Justice, it is proposed to make the state an agent for carrying out the rules and regulations of medical organiza- tions.
 We can see no fairness in a bill which seeks to enlist the state in a work of making stronger professional privilege, and of compelling the state to carry into effect the ethics of professional organ ization.
 Under the bill no matter how able and how skilful a physician may be, his li cense is annulled if he advertises in any way. Not only are the contents of this bill bad, but the tendency is dangerous. To Alabamians who are closely watching the proceedings, of the legislature, the contents of this measure are drawn es- recially to their attention. The Adver- User asks the voters of Alabama to con- slider just what this bill means. The more 1t is studied, the more publicity 1t has, the less chance it has of meeting approval by the people of the state. The Advertiser would warn some good men who may be in favor of this measure, that it Is dangerous bill and that 1t is bill, which if enacted into law, sets a radical and perilous precedent
 How sar can the legislature go in sumptuary legislation? How far can the legislature, at the direction of a profess sional organization, enact laws of penalty for members of that profession who re- fuse to unite with the close compact or eanization, which has heretofore secured so much legislation in it's own interest. ful physicians in Alabama, that this bill goes too far, and that in the interest of their own profession, they had better have this particular provision stricken from the bill before it passes; for in the opposition which this provision is certain to create, there will be a germ of oppo- sition for really mertorious legislation asked for by the physicians of Ala bama.
 There is danger in such legislation as this.
 If the state board of health should annul the license of physician whose name appears in an advertisement, it should annul the license of physician whose name appears in a news story in connection with a difficult opera ton, or the successful treatment of a distinguished patient. If the state board Of health punishes a physician because his name appears in the advertising col umns of a newspaper, to be consistent and logical, it must punish the physicians whose name appears in the column of newspaper.
 The Advertiser calls the attention of the newspapers of Alabam to this piece of( legislation with its dangerous ten dency. We suggest that this is one bill before the Alabama legislature which should receive tho united and aggressive opposition of the press of the state.
 
 FEW DfvORCES IN MISSISSIPPI