The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-04
Plans to Merger Drawn
byCommittees andWnl
Be Ratified Monday.
BOARDS READY TO
SANCTION TER M S
Medical College of Virginia and
University College of Medicine
at Last Together-No Head
Chosen-To Unite Under
Name OF the Old
College.

The last obstacle 10 the long-con-
femplated merger OF the University COL
lege of Medicine and the Medical Col
Iege of Virginia has been removed ana
the practical union OF the two lnsu-
tutions will be effected within the next
Two weeks This assertion IL au'heh-
tic and IL made upon the written state
ynent Of f.. /. BeIAisE, president OF the
board Of visitors of the Medical COL
lege of Virginia. and the verbal ao-
mission Of Judge George l. Christian,
chairman of the board OF visitors OF
the University College Of Medicine.
The new institution viii no chartered
under the name Of "The Medical Coz
lego Of Virginia and Will embrace the
splendid plants and equipment OF the
Medical College OF Virginia, the Uni
versitv College 81 Medicine. the Me
mortal Hospital and the Virginia Hos
pltal II VIII be governed by boa'd
of visitors. consisting Of nineteen mem
hers. presumably to he appointed by
the Governor OF Virginia, which viii
elect its own chairman. The faculty.
of the new college will be composed OF
members of the two institutions. -
chose its own dean
Who II to he President:
Judge Christian. there is no under
standing regarding the head OF the
merged schools. The choice VIII ma
furaliy be between Dr. Stuart Nc
CURE. president Of the University Col
lege of Medicine. and Or. George Ben
Johnston. OF tine Medical College or
Virginia. DR.. Christopher Tompkins.
dean OF the faculty OF the old col
lege. having refused g. stand for the
honor IT is declared that the selec-
ton of the dean OF IN. faculty will be
left entirely TO the Judgment OF the
reorganized faculty
To Sign Monday Night.
For several months past the nego-
tiatsons for the merger have been con-
Quoted by special committees OF the
boards OF visitors Having agreed In
overy essential point. these two COM
rnittees will report 10 their parent
bodies Monday afternoon and night.
and there is no doubt that their action
will be ratified.
Mr. Bemiss's Statement
F.. l. Bemiss. chairman of the board
OF visitors OF the Medical College %
Virginia, issued the following written
statement last night to reporter for
The Times Dispatch. which was ap-
proved by Judge Christian:
tlernen Of both schools that the inter
ests Of the profession and medical edu
cation will be best promoted by the es-
tabIishment OF a single school In this
community. and men Of both faculties
and both governing bodies have ear
nestis- applied themselves to the task %
determining a basis mutually accept
able TO the two Institutions. upon which
they can be brought together.
In taking up the task they have
put aside every personal consideration.
and have considered only the good u
be accomplished - the profession AT
large In bring tbe two schools to-
Eether
that Ia is confidently believed that no
obstacle Gun present itself, and IL II
hoped that the merger can he prscti-
csIIy contaminated within N fortnight
when this merger Is brought about,
the community will owe debt TO the
gentlemen who. without regard TO
personal benefits. have worked for the
general good. II ia expected that the
merged institution will embrace the
plants Of the two separate colleges,
and Of the Memorial and Virginia Hos
pitfalls. and will be the basis OF the
largest school for medical training ard
Negotiations Long standing.
Ever since the old plant OF the Uni Z
vcrsity College OF Medicine was de-
siroyed BY fire. more than a year ago. +
certain progressive members OF the
faculties and governing boards Oi the
two institutions have been advocating'
increasingly the consolidation o. Rich E
lnonG-s medical colleges. At several
different times the merger has seemed
IN the point OF contamination. but !
various obstacles. principally in the
shape OF individuals and sentiment.
have initiated against the move In
the meanwhile. the University College
Of Medicine went ahead with its re-
building project. and it was thought
that the death blow had been dealt
the scheme.
Tired of working publicly tn the
face OF constant friction. members %
ihc two institutions came together .
quietly aad discussed various plat
forms. upon which the colleges might
49, merged TO mutual satisfaction. As
tie movement grew. special commit
tees were named by the two Boards
- Visitors to coordinate with each
othcr in cncc;inz a working plan Of
consolidation. - quietly did these
;vo committees pcrSue their iasors {.
that no hint % what was happening
vas given out until the offer Of tho I
~. mortal Hospital 10 the city o.
Richmond was suddenly Withdrawn
oaer of Memorial Responsible.
Upon investigation II developed that
fh, merger % the Two colleges has
Progressed 10 such a crucial point that ]
II was deemed wise TO withdraw the I
offer Of the Memorial to the city be-
fore II could 5e accepted. Tho posi-
hiiity o. this. hospital becoming the
property Of the city acted in man
ncr a. a spuT to the union Of the col
i-g~r. as the clinical and hospital
work o. the Medical College Of Viz
xinia il hound up In the Memorial
Hospital sheuid that hospital have