The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-03-09
GIVE THE DOCTOR
A BIGGER SALARY

~. Gfeenes state ne4itn OIncef Oh II loE-
ida, have recently been to Tallahas-
see, where they had conference with
Governor Hardee relative to state
board of health activities.
1t has been known for some time
that DIR. Greene has been DESTROYS of
retiring from public medical service
for the purpose of entering private
practice in the city of Jacksonville as
a specialist in the treatment of ner-
vous and mental diseases. Because
of these having been inaugurated
certain programs which are still in
complete, the state board of health of
Florida has deemed it inadvisable to
elect successor for DIR. Green at this
time and all the members of the
present board have urged him to re-
main.
1t is the opinion of the board and
all familiar with state board of health
activities that it is advisable for DIR.
Greene to continue in his present posi-
ton as state health officer of Florida,
and it is very probable that he would
succeed himself except for the fact
that the salary of the state health Of
ficer has never been increased. This
salary, which is $4,000 per annum
was adequate 80 years ago when the
law was enacted. In this day and
time this amount is not fair compen-
sation for a professional man OF
ability as the average income of all
doctors, including those in rural dis
| tricts, exceeds that of the state
health officer of Florida.
Governor Hardee has requested DR.
Greene to continue as state health of
ficer of Florida until the legislature
convenes it being the desire. of the
governor that DR.. Greene appear be-
fore the public health committee OF
the senate. and house of representa-.
tives of the Florida legislature for the
purpose of fully informing these com.
mittees as to future activities and ap.
preparations necessary for the Flor.
ida state board of health.
DIR. Greene first entered the state
medical service of Florida as assist
ant physician at the Florida Hospita
for the Insane and after one year wa!
made chief of the medical staff, which
position he occupied for seven years
During his term of service at tn,
State Hospital for the Insane, the in
lstituion made remarkable improve
ment and was elevated to an enviabl,
position as compared with state hos
pitfalls elsewhere.
| Upon the call of the president o
the United States for the mobilization
of National Guard troops on the Mex
lean border, DIR. Greene, who was /;
medical officer in the Florida Nationa
jGuard, promptly resigned his position
at the state hospital in Chattahooche
and served in the field hospital of Col
raymond C. Turck for period O
eight months on the Mexican border
Upon return to Jacksonville and fol
lowing discharge from the fedora
service, war was declared with Ger
many and DR.. Greene again tenders
his services to the Army Medical De
partment and was appointed major
medical corps. He served during tn
entire emergency and was finall
made clinical director for all nervou
and mental work of the Southern De
partment of the army While occupy
ing this position and without knowl
edge of same, DIR. Greene was an
pointed state health officer of Florid
and abandoned an army career to tax
up this important work. During hi
term of service as state health office
lof Florida, DIR. Greene has been ter
dered. the superintendency of one @
the Louisiana state hospitals and wa
rendered an appointment as medics
superintendent of the new Georgi
state hospital located near August;
Ga, and was commissioned as car
tain, Medical Corps. u. S. A. reguls
medical department, all of which h
declined. DR.. Green consented to az
as consultant in nervous and ment,
diseases for the United States govern
ment for Florida and South Georgi,
and has served in this capacity fl
: some time
The progress of the state board {
health is regarded as having bee
rather remarkable because of the col
tstructive results obtained and becau.
of the present administration of IL
state board of health having secure
from sources other than from II
state funds, the expenditure of al
lproximately 100000 in public healt
work, all of which has resulted
there being probably more money
the state treasury to the credit of Il
state board of health of Florida ths
any other board or state department
Dr. Greene was elected state heat
officer of Florida for period of fol