The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-21
WILLIAM |. GORGAS ARRIVES ID SPEAK ID DOCTORS TONIGHT
Declines to Discuss Rocke- feller Foundation Offer.
 Enthusiastic Welcome
CONVENTION BEGAN
 WORK YESTERDAY
Feature of Convention Will Be At tempt to Secure Change in Medi- cal Associations Method
 of Representation

Vt NtpttScHtdtiOn
 pr. William C. Gorgas, surgeon gen ral of the United States army and perhaps the most distinguished son of labama. reached Birmingham last light for the purpose of delivering to- night a lecture before the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
 The arrival of Dr. Gorgas was scheduled for today noon. Howev CT when il became known that he was In of a group of convention delegates and prominent people of Birmingham. At the Hotel Tutwiler. he was rendered what was tantamount 10 public re- oeption
 When seen by a reporter of Tie Age Herald, pr Gorgas asked to be excused from discussing that topic V hich Is at paesent prominently before the American public that is. the offer of the Rockefeller foundation that he accept the commission of cleansing Servia of disease. As is known, Lind ley M. Garrison Secretary of War. has stated in the public press that Br Gorgas, to avcid the possibility e foreign complications. may accepi the post to Servla only on his retire meht from the army IL has been mooted question as to whether or not Dr. Gorgas would resign from the army and accept a position in which 1t Is generally conceded he could accom- rlished great good
 The hour of his arrival was late, and that was one reason why he de- clined to discuss the offer which has occupied conspicuous place in the pub lie print. After greeting his friends in the lobby of the Tutwiler he retired to his room Tonight. he will deliver hls lecture and this lecture will be. il is probable, the big feature of the convention of doctors
 This afternoon at 3:3o o'clock. pr. Goreas will address the Study Circle at the residence of Mrs. R. NJ. Jenkins. Cliff Road, He will be presented hy Mrs. ]. E. Frazier. Tonight. follow irg his address before the medical as soeiation, he will be rendered a public reception at the Tutwiler
 CensOrs Are Censured
 Because of it's alleged failure to act upon Instructions and so amend the con stitution of the association to the end that counties in the conventions of the associa- ton might have the representation they have in the legislature of the state the board of censors of the association. in a resolution introduced by Dr W. P. Me Adory of Birmingham was censured yes terday, The board of censors consists of 10 members, and the resolution is fnter- esting in view of the fact that tyvb of it's members, Dr. Cunningham and Dr. Tally, are residents of Birmingham.
 Yesterday afternoon. as if already enough of the sensational had not been injected into the deliberation of the doc tors. Dr. McAdory introduced another resolution, this one calling upon Dr. w. H. Sanders, state health officer either to resign that position, or his place on the board of censors. This resolution was referred to the board of eensors of which Dr. Sanders is considered the dominant member, and the prediction is general that it will be reported back to the con yention adversely.
 The doctors convened yesterday noon. and after the transaction of routine busi- ness, adjourned for lunch The afternoon and evening were given over to the read ing of scholarly pa pers on scientific sub jects
 More Expected Today
 About 300 physicians of the state are in attendance. and it is estimated that that number will be materially augmented by the hour of coming together this morn ing. While the doctors are on the sur face unusually calm 1t is evident that they are laboring under suppressed excite ment Throughout yesterday. the idea prevailed that something would drop, and within an hour after the first session was called to order, the resolution of Dr. Me- Adory was presented. In the afternoon, the second resolution, that calling for the resignation of pr. Sander> vas intro- duced
 The feature of the convention will be the fight against Dr. Sanders, and the effort of local doctors to obtain representation in convention. Under the present scheme of government. every county may send two delegates to convention. Jefferson county which has a local organiza ton of more than 300 doctors is no more power ful in convention than Is Cleburne coun- ty the local organization of which can boast but four members. As dues to the state organization, local physicians paid for the year ending April l5. 1876. Phy- scans of Montgomery paid $S2 50 of Mo bile sS5. The doctors of no other county paid as much as $50.
 That Jefferson county is discriminated gainst is the contention of local dele gates. and against this alleged taxation without representa- tation--declared to be tyranny-local doctors are preparing to express themselves.
 Session Was UneventfuI
 With the exception of the resolutions of Dr. McAdory, the session of yesterday vas unusually uneventful. After the doc- tors had registered and repaired to con- vention hall in the Hotel Tutwiler, James Weatherly, city commissioners spoke N ords of welcome. He was followed by Dr. J. Ross Snyder. president of the Jefferson County Medical association, who declared in bidding the delegates wei. come. that despite any differences which might develop. local physicians loved the and intended to foster 1t. Dr. B. B. Sims, president of the state organ ization, then delivered his annual ad dress. lie spoke in defense and the need of an '.old time health officer" to be ap- pointed by the associa tion's board of cen sors in every county of the state He
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