The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-21


 A calm like unto that preceding a storm pervades the sessions of the Ala bama Medical association at the Tut wiler.
 The supporters of the college of coun- selors and those who are advocating the aboishment of the college are groom ing themselves for the fight. Those who are favoring a continua ton of the pres ent system of electing the state health officials and the continuance of the col lege of counsellors have made a path tc room PAP at the Tutwiler The mem bers and delegates who are fighting for reorganization talk among themselves in the lobby and seem confident
 The latter are confident, not of victory in the meeting here, but confident of defeat Defeat means that the matter of taking from the Alabama Medical asso- ciation the power of eecting state health officials and vesting this power in the people, the legislature or the, governor, will be placed before the legislature at it's adjourned session
 Preliminary Engagement Today
 At today's session of the medical asso- citation Dr. H. s. Ward of the Jefferson County Medical society will present a resolution looking to the abolshment of the college of counselors. The heaviest part of the battle will be reached Fri day. Today's action will be but the slirmishing of the outposts, the intention being to get the resolution placed be- fore the meeting. The advocates of the resolution already have a clear concep- tion of what will happen to it. They say it will be referred to the boa I'd of censors and immediately choloroformed Those who favor continuance of the present system refuse to talk for pub lication. Conversation in the lobby of the Tutwiler yesterday, however, was to the effect that they believe the legis lature might take over the power of electing the state health officer and abol- ish the college of counsellors. The rear son for this attitude is given. It win mean a saving of something like $25,0 900 a year if the health department is abol- ished
 It is pointed out by opponents of the present system that each member of the association Is entitled to vote. This is one of the causes they are fighting for. It is pointed out that delegates from the smaller counties and agricultural communities will not vote with them because it will mean these counties will have less power. As matters now stand ca oh. county in the state is entitled to two delegates, who may vote. Members who are not delegates have voice in the proceedings. Advocates of the pres : ent system contend that Birmingham would control the association were every member allowed to vote.
 The views of the state health officer were obtained yesterday afternoon in his room at the Tutwier between commit tee meetings.
 Statement From Sanders
 "I have never asked any man to
 vote for me for an office said Dr.
 w. H. Sanders. state health officer in
 his room at the Tutwiler yesterday afternoon. '1 have been elected to sue ceed myself for three consecutive
 terms as health officer of the state of Alabama and never yet, by letter or
 word, have I asked the support of any man for the office In fact. when I
 was first appointed to fill out an un-
 expired term, it was without my seek
 ipg and over my protest.
 These matters which seem to be causing so much newspaper noteriety
 will work themselves out. The Ala
 (COntlnued on page Eleven)