The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-18


 problem therefore, reduced to It's simplest clements in this: Can we find a way by which, consistently with the statutes of Alabama and the history of previous transactions of the trus- tees in dealing with this problem, the University of Alabama can, without burdening in any way It's present re- sources and without making appeal to the legislature for any considerable financial help for the immediate future, get entire control of medical education In this commonwealth. wipe out all duplication of work, raise the standard of a great profession and face the fu- ture with reasonable hope of building up a great medical collegef Speakln for myself alone and without desire to unduly press by own views, l believe that this can be done.
 Does Not Favor Duplication
 .It Is perhaps already clear to the trustees that I do not favor the idea of duplicating at Birmingham any part of the work done at Mobile. The req sons for this position have already been stated. Moreover, 1t would be idle to consider at this time the relative merits of Mobile and Birmingham as the seat of the medical school of the University of Alabama, since that has been fixed by statute at Mobile. l know that it has been argued that this stat ute is unconstitutional; that 1t Is In violation of the charter rights of the trustees to restrict their powers by Legislation of this kind: and that the courts would so declare. While these statements may be correct, l am en- tirely unwilling that the University of Alabama should be put in the attitude of testing in the courts the const1tu- tionality of this act of the legislature. It would be exceedingly unwise, to put 1t mildly, to be asking the legislature for money and straightway to be de- claring in effect that we deny to It the right to give advice In a matter of this kind, or to have any kind of voice whatever in our affairs. Although I doubt the wisdom of any attempt by a legislative body in a free common wealth to enact laws fixing for all time any phase of the educational programme of modern common wealth recognizing, as we all must rec ognize, that a succeeding legislature is not bound by such action, l should for the reason stated and for other evil dent reasons, stoutly oppose any ef- fort to have the trustees petition the courts to pass on the constitutionality of the act of the legislature incorpor- aing the Medical college of Alabama as an integral part of the University of Alabama.
 Two Things to Consider
 Holding these views, I believe that there are but two things that are real ly open to consideration:
 q. To decline the proposition of the Birmingham authorities.
 '2 To agree to accept what is offered by them upon such terms and condl- tions as will not run counter to the statutes of this commonwealth or fail to square with the spirit and the let ter of former transactions of this body in dealing with the school of medicine at Mobile.
 'I can see one way, and only one way, by which we can accept the offer made by the Birmingham authorities; and, speak ing for myself alone, l believe that we ought to give favorable consideration of it, provided the offer is modified in such way that it can be thus considered. l refer to the establishment at Birning- ham of post graduate, or polyclinic, school. It cannot I think, be fairly argued that the legislature by enactins the statute of amalgamation in 1907, or that the trustees, by assuming control of the institution under that act, and by subsequently passing the resolution of 1911 had in mind any such idea as the one that I am now discussing. There has never been at any stage of the history oi medical education in Alabama as consid- CT ed by the legislature or by the trustees the slightest suggestion that polyclinic or post graduate, school was ever con- templated Moreover, I feel morally cer- tain that it could not have been con- templated.
 .It remains to be seen whether this so- lution of the matter would be acceptable to the Birmingham authorities, who have been asking that the two undergraduate clinical years should be retained there. am quite sure that 1t would be opposed by the authorities at Mobile, who, as understand their position, are opposed tc any conceivable kind of recognition of the Birmingham authorities, largely on the ground that it is, in their judgment, the beginning of long struggle between the two cities for state support and for su- premacy In the field of medical education Since, however, the trustees rather than the two communities concerned woul6 control the whole situation, l see nc reason to question the ability of the Uni versity of Alabama to meet each situa ton as it arises in fair and decisive way.
 Advantages of the Plan
 "The advantages of this plan are ob vious:
 '1. It wipes out all duplication in medi cal education in Alabama, and thereby leaves Mobile clear field to do the wori that 1t has been doing from the beginning without competition and without taking away from 1t single function, or dupli eating a single function, that has evel Teen performed by 1t.
 "s It gives to the University of Ala hama entire control of medical education in Alabama.
 '3 The polyclinic is a comparatively in expensive institution. l learn from eX pert sources that the sum of $500O pel annum, in addition to the fees charged should meet every essential demand O such an institution for a period of years
 A. It is in line with the best advic, that I have been able to command iron impartial and expert sources. q am aware that it has been urged b, the Mobile authorities that we can eff fectivcly wipe out all duplication in medi cal education in Alabama by simply de clining the proposition submitted by tn, trustees of the Birmingham institution thereby allowing that institution to die It is, of course, quite possible that, fo the time being. such extinction would fol low negative action by the trustees. Is undoubtedly true that no private ven ture in the field of medical education cal live unless it has firm financial foun tTauhlys uo iiot oohSNc thu such a foundation is Immediately Il sight at Birmingham. 1 This means, of course, that that insti | tuition cannot receive recognition from tn national organizations and would proba bl have to retire temporarily from the field | in which event the superb hospital facil ities controlled by it will. for the tim being, be lost to medical education. Blu l I must say that it is fnconceivable L l r. 6aVanni1 city like Birmingham with it's guaran | toad borpital faciltias will long cOntfpll