Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-03-25
HEALTH BOARD
RESOLUTION HAS
RAISED RUCT|ON
Seemingly Innocent, Said to
Contain a Motive Heavily
Il Loaded Politically.
OPENS THE DOOR TO
FAVORlTISM, Is CLAIM
Physicians Have Expressed Re-
sentiment Towards PROPOSE
tion Concerning lnternes.

'If it isn't opening the door for
partisan political favorites and
slamming it against those who are
not political favorites, or who take
no interest in party politics at all,
then ] miss my guess was SUBJ
stantially the remark of a member
of the Board of Health today in
speaking of a resolution of the board
recently adopted, but which appar-
emily does not become operative be-
fore January /, 1916, but which, in
fact, is good working ground now for
future action.
What appeared TO be an innocent
proceeding at the time now assumes
an entirely different aspect in the
minds of many. Their eyes have
been opened. they declare. and that
which was once considered guileness
looks entirely different.
At all events, there Is likely to be
q ruction over the proposition.
CurfaiIs Tenure of Service Period.
1t seems that the hospital commit
tee of the board passed a resolution
automatically ending the terms OF
service of all physicians and internes
at the City Hospital on January ] OF
next year. In other words, the
Board of Health hereafter will select
their internes and medical staff once
a year instead of the old practice of
once every two years. The resolution
was not made public, but when the
knowledge of it's adoption leaked out
it caused much dissension among
medical men and has caused friction
and discussion in the Health Board
The resolution was introduced by
DIR. William S. Disbrow, president OF
The board. at a meeting of the hos
pital committee. At that time It was
explained to the members that some
time ago this rule of appointment was
in effect locally for many years.
One of the commissioners today
said that DR.. Webner explained that
the rule was the easiest way out OF
trouble when a physician or inferno
was to be removed ION charges"
Physicians claim that political and
clique methods were used in railroads
ing" the measure.
at is a ridiculous move prompted
BY no good motive" was the answer
given by one of the commissioners
when asked what he thought OF the
proposition.
II voted for it," said another COM
missioner, "but at the next meeting
will ask to have the matter further
considered, and / will have to be
shown proof that it will beneft the
hospital in general before I again ap-
prove of it. This bamboozling busi-
ness won't go with me. For the past
two weeks have, been hearing
souajbbles and discussions about the
resolution that at first / thought
harmless. A few of the doctors
talked with are in favor of it, but
they are very few. The majority
claim that favoritism and politics
have crept into the board and that
thtse elements are directly respon-
sible for the resolution"
"If clique has been formed,
prompted by jealousy or other mean
cause, to GUST internes and members
of the staff, then / am sure all such
small-caIibred efforts will be de-
feated,' said another commissioners
today. 1.-The board as whole will
not stand for such peanut politics"
Talk of Petition.
According to some rumors, a
petition will soon be placed in circu-
lation asking the committee to
two-year time limit for changes. 1t
is said that members of the medical
staff will have a representative be-
fore the board at the next meeting.
II have heard that the resolution
was put through so that a number OF
Young physicians in Newark could be
given berths on the staff" volunteered
a commissioner. "I have received
many requests to help appointments
along. but will not do anything unless
charges are preferred against some OF
rhe doctors that 1t may be the inten.
ton to have removed for political rea-
sons. although 1t won't be called pol.
itics. l think the present hospital
staff is one of the best in the country,
and politics or any other motlVe
should not be allowed to control the
naming of these men. l Will not stand
for it."
There is a quiet feeling among some
of the commissioners that DR.. A.
clark Hunt, of the State Board of
Health. is justified in feeling resentful
toward tIfe Newark board for slight
ing the State body in arranging TO
have a selected few take the exami-
nation for health officer to succeed
David D. Chandler, the incumbent. Ii
is conceded that the plans of the To-
cal commissioners SAVIOR of favoritisfn
and an assumption of authority over
State board prerogatives. The Eve
ming Star called attention to the
point that there was criticism of the
manner in which the local body han
died the question of a successor to
Mr.. Chandler.
$4,000 Suit Brought