The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-03
Resigns From the Board of Cens0rs and Goes Before
 Committee
COMMITTEE SEEMS
 TO FAVOR MEASURE
Other Prominent Physicians Appear, Including Dr. w. H. Saunders, Who Opposes Proposed
 'Gorgas Bilr'

Monts omery, August 2.--tSpecial.) )-Dr. R. M Cunningham of Birmingham. q for mer president of the State Medical as- sociatlon, life counsellor of the organl- zatlon. and, until today one of 10 mem- bers of the board of censors of that body, appeared before the house committee on education this afternoon and urged a fla vorable report on the proposed new public health bill. which contemplates com plete reorganization of the state board of health.
 Action on the bill was postponed until the next recess day. Previous to ap- bearing before the committee in advo- cacy of the new health bill. Dr. Gun ningham rendered his resignation as a member of the board of censors This action was taken in order that he might speak unreservedly against the present health system of the state.
 Would Abolish His Job
 Dr. Cunningham's action in resignng as a member of the board of 10 censors, the
 inner circle. or sanhedrim of the State Medical association. Is regarded as by far the most significant that has yet devel- oped in the fight on the state board Of health No member of the association mas enjoyed more honors conferred by that body than has Dr. Cunningham, nor will any member of the association be more personally affected than he should the new bill become a law Dr. Cunning ham is now city health officer of Br- mingham, but. under the new law. his or flee would be abolished.
 The fight before the committee on the proposed new law waxed hard and furi- ous from 8 o'clock this afternoon until s o'clock tonight and that no vote was taken on the bill was due to the fact that the committee desired a full attendance before making a report This will be done when the committee meets on the next
 recess day, which will probably be Thurs day
 Cunningham Leads Fight Dr. Cunningham lead the fight for the new bill, sometimes referred to as the | "Gorgas bill" He declared that the pres ent board of health was undemocratic in 1 its principles and described that entire system as archaic. He told the commit | forms for the past 20 years, but that all of his efforts had failed. Noah would no more have thought of attempting to build transatlantic steamer in place of the ark. he said. than the present board of 1 health would think of instituting strong modern reforms.
 Several other leading Birmingham physicians spoke in favor of the bill l Including Dr. E. Nj. Mason, Dr. J. Ross snyder, pr. D. r. Talley Dr. II. $. Ward pr c. Lull. Dr. Grosbeck Walsh and w
 R. Halliday. an actuary of that city. ard l others.
 l Dr. w. H. Sanders. state health of fcer, championed the present system and he was aided in his efforts by pr. R. s. Hill of Montgomery, pr. C. A. Mohr of Mobile, pr. w. W. Dinsmore
 of Montgomery and others.
 1 Altogether 40 or more physicians from various parts of the state appeared be-
 fore the committee. the large majority of whom favored the new bill | There Is every indication that the committee will make favorable report | on the bill when it meets next Thurs | day Had a vote been taken today Q favorable report would have beer reached, 1t is declared. result which will be in no manner diminished by . full committee, attendance.