Bisbee daily review., 1911-08-13
ADVANTAGES OF
 MEDICAL COMPETITION


 We, as Ecletics, are a separate and independent school of medicine. but we are not the only one. It is necessary and beneficial to have variety of schools of medicine as it is to have parties in politics or sects in religion. Each school, party or sect permits the citizen to have a choice. to select what he wants, and gives him the opportunity to act with those of his own way Of thinking. This is his constitutional right un- der our system of free government Of which we are all so proud. Attempts have been made to invade and annul this inalienable right. The same spirit of monopoly which pervades the commercial world is also found in medicine. To establish one school of medicine, to the exclusion of all others would create state medicine, which is just as obnoxious and dan geroEs as is state religion. A varie- ty Of schools, parties or sects is an advantage, as 1t causes a friendly rivalry by each one striving to excel the other, and a healthy competition that benefits the majority, which is as it should be, especially in a gov eTnment like ours where majorities rule. This coveted power has been sought after for many years by the political ring in the American Medi- cal association, which it hopes to ob- tain eventually through state and na- tional legislation.
 All of the minor schools of med icine.> known as the Allies, are op- posed to such action on the ground that it is class legislation and uncon- stitutional; but neither one of the Al lies is strong enough to engage the enemy single handed. It also does not seem to be convenient for them to unite their several interests in one counter organization. In this crisis new and welcome friend has appeared upon the scene 10 lend a helping hand The National League for Medi- cal Freedom was organized one short year ago as a lay movement in oppos- ition to the activity of the American Medical association to force the Owen bill through congress and establish a public bureau Of health. Owing to the leagues timely and energetic pro test the bill failed to pass, but it is up again in a modified but no less objectionable form to be acted on during the present extra session of congress That the bill will be again defeated goes without saving, now that the people have been warned of their danger If such a bill ever becomes law, it win be a serious men ace to liberty and freedom in the United States and will be the enter ing wedge for other legislation Of a like character
 The scope Of the league is nation wide and has branch offices in nearly every city of the union. Its function is 10 expose and oppose the evil de- signs of the medical trust in it's en- deavoTs to fasten itself upon the states and nation; to give publicity to every point Of interest and teach the people the right and wrong of every thing that pertains to the subject. lt is pledged to oppose every at tempt 10 legislate against the inter- ests of the people or Co rob the cit izen of his liberty and right to choose his own medical advisor. The ob- jects of the league meet exactly our wants, and it behooves us to pool our issues and hitch our wagon to a star that will carry us safely and surely on 10 victory"
 Extract from address delivered al the annual convention Of the National Eclectic Medical association. June 23. 1911, by Dr. J. A. Munk, president.