The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-09-16
STATE INSURANCE IS
OPPOSED BY DOCTORS
Continued From Page 1.


ings have been held all over the coun-
try
What is the meaning of this out
cry? Let us turn to Lloyd Georges
comment on it in his speech when the
bill came up for it's second reading
in the house of commons:
Erroneous Assumptions.
The doctors proceed with their cri-
ticism on five assumptions, all of
which were erroneous. They proceed
ed on the assumption that the govern
nlent had fixed the capitation grant.
It had not. Some proceeded on the
ground that the capitation grant was
to be fixed by the friendly socities
without any appeal to anybody. That
was not the bill. Some proceeded
on the assumption that under that
capitation grant families were to be
included. They were not. Another
assumption was that no free choice
was to be allowed in regard to doc
tors services. That was not the BILL
And the last assumption was that all
the bad cases were included in the
capitation grant. They were not
Thus, all the main assumptions on
which the whole of the medical agi-
tation was based were erroneous, and
had nothing to do with the bill. They
had held great demonstrations to de-
nounce something not in the BILL
something somebody had told them.
In a word, the profession to which
one looks for the coolest heads and
the steadiest nerves has fallen VIC
tim to sheer panic. 1t is, of course,
true that the bill will bring under
contract pratice large number of
working men and women who are new
actual or possible private patients
The doctors have looked at this one
point until it has filled their whole
horizon. They have ignored the fact
that at present all they receive from
large section of this class is minus
quantity. They are denouncing con-
tract practice in the roundest terms,
as though it were some malicious
device just invented by the chancellor
Of the exchequer instead of a me-
thod in which they have themselves
taken part all these years and which
would nave Collapsed but for their
own voluntary cooperation. They
have jumped to the conclusion that
the extension of this system will mean
placing them" under the heel of the
friendly societies." whereas this bill
will for the first time bring in a
public committee Con which the pro-
fession will be represented) to pro-
test them against undue pressure
from those societies. And in their
alarm at the DOGGY of their own crea-
ton they have overlooked altogether
those benefits of the bill which strike
the attention of such men as Mr.. Hob
son.
Reasoning With Malcontents.
Lloyd George, as his custom is in
such matters, has attempted to bring
the malcontents to reason by a per-
sonal interview with their representa-
tives Recently he attended a meet
ing of the British Medical associa-
ton. In addition to clearing up seve-
| raj misconceptions about the char
acter of the scheme, the chancellor
! reminded his hearers that there were
| other interests than their own to be
considered in measure that had par
! liamentary criticism to face.
AS yet there is no sign that Lloyd
Georges attempt to conciliate the OPP
| position has had the least effect.
The whole story OF this agitation
leaves a most unpleasant taste to the
mouth. Every one knows that in the
daily practice of their profession no
class of the community shows itself
more generous, more self-sacrificing
or more philosophical than the doc
tors. Yet somehow the virtues which
most distinguish the doctor in his
individual capacity seem to evaporate
when he allies himself, with his breth.
rem as a member of professiona.
body: No theological board can be
more rigid In the suppression of the
least variation from the acceted creed
no trade union can bring it's power.
to bear more heavily upon any a,sser