The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-09-15
DOCTORS DECLARE
THEY'RE READY FOR
COUNTRY'S CALL
M. DIS INSIST HINT OF NEG
LECT TO CALL is
UNJUST.

Physicians OF Ardmorc are not
agreed as to the designation OF Car
ter County as Stacker county" in
the matter of furnishing volunteers
for the Medical Reserve Corps, as
stated in a circular letter mailed
yesterday by DR.. Robert II. Henry,
secretary OF the medical section,
Carter County Council of Defense,
to physicians in the city and county.
The following communication was
yesterday rendered to the Ardmore-
ite for publication:
"Ardmore, Okla, Sept, ID, 1918.
Editor Ardmoreite;
an answer to the article that ap-
peared in the Ardmoreite Friday
signed by DR.. Robt. II. Henry. sec
retary of the medical section Of the
Carter County Council of Defense,
we wish to quote the following in
quiry and answer which was pub
lished in the Journal of the Amer
lean Medical Association under date
OF Sept. 7, the recognized official
organ of the medical profession of
the united States:
"'To the Editor-There seems to
be considerable variation OF opin-
ion in regard to the Volunteer Med
ical Service Corps Martin and his
elemeiit seem to be pushing things
with ;Mpretty high hand, with their
committees, subcommittee, little
buttons, regulations-everybody to
register and sign up, We are at
loss to know what is right,
"'W. +. Michigan.
"Answer-The formation of a
new and special organization for the
purpose of enlisting physicians III
war service has from the beginning
seemed to The Journal unnecessary
and unwise. The needs of the Army
and Navy have been met promptly
so far by voluntary cnlistments. and
there has been no indication that the
needs of the future would not have
been satisfied in the same way even
under the volunteer system. How
ever, the passing OF the new select
i've service law renders such an in.
definite and indetcrminate society
as the Volunteer Medical Service
Corps supcrfluous and uncalled for.
The vigorous promotion of this or
ganization is creating regrettable
confusion and anxiety among ply
sicians that should be avoided in
these trying times. This is no time
to fritter away energy in the con
struction and maintenance Of in
tricate machinery OF questionable
value to do work which is being done
and will be accomplished satiSfac-
torily through regularly established
channels.
Every man, including physicians
under 40 years of age, must register
on September y. the selective serv-
ice boards are the only bodies en-
powered to dispose of those regis
tered under the law. This will be
done under the regulations promul-
gated by the provost marshal gen
eral. Undoubtedly special regula-
lions for the guidance of those
boards will be worked out by the
provost marshal general comforting
with the surgeon generals. SO far
as those above 46 years of age are
concerned: They will have in the
futurc, the same privilege of volun-
teering as they have had in the past.
The operation of the new selcctiye
service law will, without doubt,
take into account the needs Of the
civilian population while providing
for the medical requirements of the
government
"We, the undersigned, physicians,
stand ready to serve our country in
any capacity whenever called upon
to do so through the proper chan
nes and we regret exceedingly the
publication of the article over the
signature of DR.. Robt. II. Henry,
leaving the impression that we are
We know, positively, of
three physicians of Ardmore who
have volunteered through the reg
ular channels and as yet have not re-
ceived their call, although it has
been some three months or more
since these physicians have offered
their services to the government.
Again emphasizing the fact that
we stand ready to serve our govern
ment at any time when called upon
70 do en- throuph the official chan |