The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-16
Legislative Committee of Jefferson Society Writes to
 Other County Societies
BUT 65 DELEGATES
 VOTED AGAINST BILL
Deny That Every County Society Op. poses Measure-Will Improve Pres ent Health Laws Immeasur-
 ably, Says Statement

The legislative committee of the Jeffer- son County Medical society. made aware of the criticism directed against the pro- posed Gorgas bill by Dr. J. N. Baker president of the medical association of the state of Alabama, has written a let tor to the several other county societies The letter sets out the points made by Dr. Baker and the contention of the so- ciety on those points. A significant state ment contained in the letter is that only 65 delegates to the last convention of the state association (other than counsellors Of the association) voted against certain changes proposed in the Gorgas bill. Sixty five delegates represents less than half of the counties of the state, in view of the fact that each county was until recert action of the association limited to two delegates. The letter contends that the So counsellors who voted against the pro- posed changes do not represent the people or any unit of people the intimation be- ins that they as the representatives of the alleged political machinery controlling the association. were in the capacity of Interested parties"
 The letter of the association follows: The Society's Case Resolutions opposing improvements in the public health laws of the state have been sent by the president of the State Medical association to the various county societies. A letter was inclosed instruct ing each society to indorse the resolu- tions and to use the society's action as a means of influencing legislation. While we would not presume to suggest to youI society what action it should take on any question. nevertheless we feel that in view of the fact that many mem bers of your society are probably unin- formed as to the changes and improve ments contemplated in the proposed Gorgas public health bill. certain errors in the presidents letter and resolutions should be called to your attention.
 By either direct statement or by in- ference the presidents communicate would lead you to believe that the amend ed Gorgas bill would
 "O Lessen the voice and weight of physicians in public health matters. 'C9 Curtail or destroy the public health laws.
 'CO Reduce the state appropriation for public health purposes
 70 Prove inimical to the interests of the people from the standpoint of public health
 "The statement was also made that every county society in the state was rep resented when the Gorgas bill was voted on in the state association. Finally you were requested to inform your represent ii the iesisia tt;re that +atr &. clety's actions should bear weight be- cause each member of the society per forms active duties without pay as a mem Dor of the county board of health
 The Points Answered
 Tn reply to the above outlined state ments We ask your consideration of the following facts which may be asily veri- ned by reference to the Gorgas bill, which Is available in printed form
 u) Under the Gorgas bill the voice and weight of physicians in public health mat ters Will be enormously increa sed. Un- der the present plan only the 139 coun- seilors have voice and weight, since they alone can hold office and they alone sssg the unrestricted right to vote. while un- der the proposed plan every one of the 1900 physicians in the association will be on equal footing.
 @ Instead of 'curtailing and destroy- ing the public health laws the Gorgas bill will amplify and modernize them and give to the health officer the legal au- thority which he now lacks to enforce them.
 '(S) The Gorgas bill contains no refer ence whatever to state public health ap- propriations. Its supporters however, earnestly hope and believe that tl,e :m- provements embodied in 1t will lead to much large appropriations than the health department has ever enjoyed and this by educating the people to the ne- cessity of such appropriations by demon- strating what can be done under mod ern, efficient. public health system
 '(D The sole aim Of the Gorgas bill is to divorce the public health system from politics. revise the public health laws in the light of modern sanitary and public health advances and discoveries provide for full time health officers whose tenure of office Is to be based on efficiency and not political management, and, in place of the present purely advisory capacity in which they act, to confer upon all health officers and boards of health full power to enforce the public health laws and regulations. Would these changes prove inimical to the public health?
 Vote on the Bill
 With reference to the vote on the Gorgas bill in the State Medical assoca- ton, the secretary's official ballot shows that 65 delegates voted against the bill, the ramainipP SO adyeraa vofeu bat,,U