The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-07-25
DR.. SMELSER GETS
REAPPO|NTMENT AS
A MEMBER OF BOARD
Attempts of Society 10 Block
Reappointment Is Un-
successful.
DR.. SPAUNHURST ALSO
Is Kept on Board BY Cover
nor-Statement From
Local Physician.

"Dr. J, F Spaunhurst and | owe our
re-appointments to the state board OF
medical registration and examination
10 the fact that Governor Ralston has
thoroughly examined into the causes
of the opposition against US. found
them To be unfair and our records
clear and honest" said DIR. = c. Smell
ser when informed OF his re-appoint-
ment TO the board.
The only reason that the State
Medical society fought my re-appoint-
ment. was because l was fair enough
10 demand n square deal for DIR.
Spaunhurst. who is an osteopath. and
not a doctor of medicine as his prede-
cessor was. After our appointment he
was not permitted to handle subjects
which had been assigned to his prede-
cessor-physiology, hygiene and ETH
ology. | sided with him in his pro-
tests against this discrimination.
lneompetency CHARGED.
One of the weapons used against
me was n charge that l was incompe-
tent. Richmond physicians TO support
this charge pointed TO the fact that I
was not a member of the Wayne
County Medical society, which is true,
simply because am a contract lodge
physician.
Il will call attention to the fact that,
when l was appointed to the board in
May. 1909. turned in after each meet
ing bill for SIS as provided by law.
In January. 1910. | discovered that
other members of the board had been
handing in claims for sl2 for each
and my protest was sustained"
DR.. Smelser's re-appointment was as
vigorously protested as his appoint
ment in 1909. The attacks on the two
physicians in the state journal OF the
Indiana State Medical association were
so bitter that had Governor Ralston
not re-appointed them they would have
been hurt professionally. The state or
ganization which led the fight against
them was headed by DR.. w. N Wish
ard. chairman of the state council OF
the society. When remonstrances
against the two physicians were heard.
the defendants were permitted to be
present and speak in defense. The at
tack was especially bitter against DIR.
Smelser
In discussing DR.. Smelser's reap
pointment DIR. K. b. Grosvenor said:
How Opposition Started.
Here are the true facts of the
whole thing and if you want TO print it
all right. John.Butler. of near Liberty.
had boy who needed an operation
and he was brought here. Dr. Smelser
and physician who is a member OF
the Wayne County Medical society,
but whom | will not name. performed
the operation. The society physician
fell down on the case. and because
John Butler was a personal friend OF
mine and because he made the request.
DR.. Smelser brought the boy to me.
Another operation was performed and
ii was successful.
The other physician became angry
when he learned that DIR. Smelser had
brought the boy to me and declared
he would get even His opposition
was the first against DIR. Smelser's ap-
pointment and was responsible for the
later fight waged against him and the
charges made against him.
The Wayne County Medical society
is trust. The majority of the ply
CONTINUED on Last Page)