Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-12
OPTOMETRETS WILL
FIGHT VETO OF BILL BY
GOVERNOR BRUMBAUGH
Association Determined to Con-
tinue Fight of Regulation
of Profession in
Pennsylvania
ILLEGALITY ALLEGED

A determined fght to nullify Governor
Brumbaugh's veto Of the optometry bill
may result from the two-day convention
OF the Pennsylvania optical Society
which opened this afternoon I'm the as.
sembly rooms Of the Chamber Of Com.
hnerce, In the widener Building, with sOl
delegates from all parts OF the State in
attendance.
ut IL very regrettable that Governor
Brumbaugh vetoed the bill, which would
regulate the practice OF optometry In the
state and do away with the frauds now
being perpetrated," said W. T. McCon-
nell, president of the society, today.
That we will take some kind OF action
Is assured. but II has not yet been de-
cided what the action will be. Half the
members favor fight TO the finish to
have the bill placed on the statute books
through mandamus proceedings. The
bill which was passed by the Legislature
was presented to the Governor April 20,
but was not vetoed until May 1, or IL
days later. The power to veto expires
after 10 days.
"other members favor sending the Gov
ernor a series of resolutions pointing out
why the bill is desirable as law. The
matted will be decided tonight"
After the exective session addresses
were made by r. NJ. Lockwood on use
Of Cylinders and Cross Cylinders in Sub
tective Methods" and by. Prof. Fred. A.
VOL on "Optometry as Hygiene"
The other officers Of the organization
are Alexander Martin and Thomas II.
Martin, vice presidents; w. ]. Van Esson,
secretary; Eugene E. Heard, assistant
secretary; r. d. Pratt, Otto G. Hauss-
mann, II. f. Herman and w. M. Upter-
grave.
Mr.. Haussmann, who is secretary OF
the Philadelphia optometrlsts, explained
the advantages OF State regulation.
In 36 States optometry is regulated by
rigid laws" he said. But in Pennsyl-
vania anybody can assume the title of
optometrist regardless of his knowledge
Of the science. One of the greatest pres
ent-day evils is the numerous advertised
eye treatments by mail.
Notwithstanding the watchfulness OF the
United States mail officials. such methods
hnd many victims. One concern. whose
seductive advertisement, A Pair OF
Glasses Free has swindled thousands,
was recently convicted in the Federal
courts, and 1t is our ultimate aim to free
Pennsylvania of all similar concerns.
FOR STATE EXAMINATIONS.
ALSO. we wish to have the practice of
optometry regulated by State board ex7
O4iiAAoSioAS. hib "Oulu pldCt lnt pro-
fession on a par with dentistry and oste-
opathy. 1t would also prevent the ex-
periments of incompetents on persons af-
ficted with eye trouble.
According to Mr.. Haussmann every
country of Europe Is years behind so far
as the practice Of optometry is concerned
Germany" said he, hoped to catch up
with us in about ten years, but, as a re-
suit Of the war, IL is hardly likely that
her hopes will be realized. One can readi-
ly grasp the rapid stride made by Amer
lea in this science during the past Is years
by merely attending the Adelphia exhibi-
ton. In no other country have instru-
ments or methods of treating optical de-
fects attained such a degree of perfec-
ton"
AID TO WORKERS.
When IL is known that the efficiency of
the workmen in great Industrial plants
can be increased 25 per cent. through the
proper fitting of glasses to correct defec-
tive vision, optometrists explain that one
can appreciate the importance of their
convention. The attention of the Cham
ber of Commerce has been called to the
fact that in our large Industrial plants
rigid examination of the eyes is now re-
quired before an application for a posi-
tion is received.
Numerous entertainments have been ar
ranged for the visiting delegates. After
luncheon tomorrow afternoon the party
will he taken through the Curtis Building.