The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-11
Dr. Yarbrough, Chairman Public Health Committee of Legislature, Makes a
 Sensational Statement
SAYS ORGANIZATION
 IS UNDEMOCRATIC
 AND OLIGARCHICAL
If No Relief Is Obtained at April Meeting, He Says He Will Ap- peal to Legislature to Rem edy Matters When It
 Reconvenes

"In order to become counsellor yon chief of which Ia to he In good fellow ship with the stnte health officer in order that he md his following n,ny be perpctunted in offtce.-
 In regard to tho Alabama Medical asso- ciation embroelio, into which the legisla- tive recess committee on investigation is prying. Dr. c. T. yarbrough, who repre- sents Leo county in the legislature, and who is chairman of the eommittee on public health. issued statement last night in Birmingham. of which statement the foregoing paragraph is a sensational portion.
 Dr. Marlborough makes 1t very plain that meeting of the medical association, n spir- ited assault will be made against the for tiflcation behind which, it is reported, pr. William Sanders and his counsellors have barricaded themselves-and that unless this fight Is successful it will be carried to the floor of the legislature in July. 1n- cidentally, but for the insistence of Dr. Yarbrough that this fight be postponed pending action by the association itself, it would have been initiated in January. The formal statement of the legislator follows
 Feeling of Discrimination
 What is the matter with the state medical organization?
 There seems to be a general discon- tent among a large majority of the physicians of the state relative to the state organization.
 To begin with. most of the physicians feel like they are discriminated against, and that they have practi- cally voice in the election of its officials. Most men with whom l have talked believe the organization to be undemocratc. not only in principle, but in spirit
 For the benefit of those who are not !, familiar with conditions, there are about three thousand physicians in the state of Alabama, most of whom be- long to the state organizations Out of this number there are 100 men who are what Is known as the counseIlors of this organization.
 The Chief Qualification
 In order to become counsellor. you must possess certain qualifications. the chief of whichis to be In good fellow ship with the state health officer, in order that he and his following may be perpetuated in office.
 Now, the chief objection to this coun- sellorship is that only a counsellor can be nominated for stale health officer. thereby debarrlng other good men from promotion. no matter what other superior qualifications for the posi- tion they might possess
 CIof i'm au a Nout majority of the physicians of the state are of my opinion. that any physician who is a member in good standing of the state organization should be eligi- ble to this. the highest office within our gift.
 might also add that the people of the state of Alabama, outside the pro- fesslon. resent any such infringement Of their rights. and believe that If the doctors of the state of Alabama haven't either the power or the desire to regulate this oligarchy that the leg islature should take hand in it.
 Call for Action
 Personally, I would prefer that the state medical organization elect a state health officer. but in case we are not granted this privilege, I, as a member of the legislature. shall certainly call upon that body to give us relief, and see iHHt our puDilc oiiitldi N tls-teQ by the people whom he is supposed to represent.
 In fact such legislation would nave already taken place. but at my request the members of that body were kind enough to give the state organization an. opportunity to straighten out this matter without bringing it into politics.
 believe 1t Is up to the organization to take some such steps at its April meeting, and call upon all loyal and public spirited physicians to cooperate with committee which will be- ap- pointed to attempt to bring about such a reform. t