The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-14
DOCTORS TO RISE
HIGHER IN RANK
II Bill Is Passed Providing for
Over Hundred General
Officers.
WILSON GIVES APPROVAL
System Now in Vogue Handi-
caps Physicians In Further
ing Their Work.
by David Lawrence.


Copyright, 1918, by New York Eve
ming post.)
J Washington, March t4.-Prssident
Wilson has just given his approval to
a piece OF pending legislation that Vi
tally concerns the medical care OF our
troops in the field.
For many months complaint has
been coming from our medical officers
In France that their military rank is
insufficient for them to get tho stten-
tion they deserve from officers of the
line. No matter how great the ropu-
tation OF a physician he can hold no
higher rank than that OF major.
Consequently wiian hs urges chat
specific things be done TO safeguard
the health OF troops he must wait his
turn at stan headquarters, while
ooloncls and brIgadier- generals and
major generals In other branches OF
the service command prompt co opera
tion.
Medical mon cannot always persuade
laymon OF the urgency OF tho things
In which they are Interested. In the
army rank cuts 80 much OF figure
that majors keep at respectful distance |
from coloncls and brlga der generals. |
the major In the medical corps In ac-
live service has no one higher IN rank |
10 whom he can appeal II IA line officer |
sees NJ to disregard n recommended ton |
Wilson Examines Situation.
Tho president has examined the sit
untion carefully and evidently believes
II ls one requiring early action, for he
has expressed himself In writing. urg-
Ing the adoption of remedial lcgisln-
tlon,
The proposal which In now pending
In tho senate military affairs commit
tee was introduced by Senator owen,
N Oklahoma, and would rodlstribute
The number OF officers In the entire
medical corps. For instance. out OF
Fl 900 physicians commissioned for
service with an army OF 5000 900 mon.
here would bo b2 ina ior- generals. 81
)rigndior- generals, $40 colonelH, $40
lieutenant -colonelH. 1850 majors and
I.770 captains.
or course. out OF the $50 officers IN
ho regular medical corps there hrc
'h9HltlhHN bi InHk nn 10 tHhl OF ma | ,
or general. but the II. 900 doctors In
he medical reserve. OF whom 1900
Ire now In active service. cannot be {
commissioned 10 n higher rank than {
mn ior. ,
Many OF the men who have voiun- ,
oored for the medical reserve are rec
Rnizcd In their communities and Oft y
lines by the whole country as leaders c
n their profcsaion. The added pay ,
means nothing to'moHt of them. aA
hey have left lucrative practices 10
erve in the field
Some OF the letters from France y
'ritten by doctors not accustomed 10 q
einR auhordinated 10 laymsn. who are q
p much absorbed In their own duties Il
. to give Hcant attention 20 tho needs d
the medical officers. indicate that n n
cry serious situation may be brought n
bout In the care Of sick and wounded In
Mess there In reform,
Urge Quick Action h'
Men of such Importance la Tho med ~
hl profession as would command tho "
'spect and attention of the country 81
ieir names could be given have urged
Ie Immediate adoption OF corrective y,
gtHiation. T.
The council of national defense has ~
ken an active interest IA the mat ~
2. and the presidents approval ia eN- 49,
'cted 10 help get the bin through ."
Nothing new H. involved I'm the re- ~
iesi ms the British army has several ~
'utenRnt surgeons. general Of rank -
unl 10 ma JoT- generals in the Amcft- ~
an army. ana thousan nds of colonies. WI
This measure ~ In accord with the ne
nctice. too. in other armies. but has IN
I been attended 90 before with re
ret 20 our own army because Of the ail
pidity with which the medical corps at
= been compelled 90 expand De
Difficulties that 10 was thought rel
iuif not occur have. however, arisen tic
Il the entire medical corps will un- mS
estionably benefit by the rcorgani- an
ton that viii follow the promotion aci
higher rank of the men who best led
ow what u good for the health. san -
tiun and care Of troops in the ncld.