The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-15
DOCTORS POLITICAL FIELD
 WITHGVICG CLUB
Unique Organization Is Launched By Jefferson
 Medical Profession

Ninety-two physicians of Birming- ham and Jefferson county, charter members of the first avowed political Organization in the United States in the medical profession. organized The Physicians Civic league of yeffersen county Friday night in the auditorium of Birmingham Medical c0llege Approximately G persons were present and scores of messages from delegations from suburbs and outlying sections of the county were recleEed pledgins their support while unable to attend on account of the had weather Dr. w S Rankin. health officer of North Carolina, made the principal address, outlining the scope of public he alth work as bearing on the pur- poses of the league.
 Other speakers were Dr. g. w. Welsh. Alabama health officer; Dr. NJ Y. Dabney; Dr. D. F. TaIley, Presi- dent of the league; Dr. H. A EIkOurle, and others,
 The purpose of the league as con- tained in the constitution which WAS adopted without amendment was stated as: The enlightenment of the Puhdic in matters pertaining to health pres ervation and health and welfare lex islation- Second: Ascertaining of czn- didates' views on the maintainance 9f an efficient and adequate health de partment; third Dissemination among the public of the health of the inres- tigation of political candidates Fourth : Consolidation of power and influence to discourage unworthy candidates and promote those candidates who have the public welfare and health at heart
 Wooasgn C0uver9cd InstigatOrS of the league were de l lighted at the conversion of Dr. L. C. WoOdson, Sr-. who appeared and openly declared at the beginning of the meet ing that he was opposed to the move ment and would fight it. After the speeches, Dr. WO0dsOn arose and de clared," 'I came here to fight this movement because I didn't understand it Now I am in favor of 1t
 The tentative officers of the league were elected permanently to office fer one year. They are: Dr. D. F. T2Iley, president; Dr. J. NJ Mason, vice Fresi- dent: Dr. Cecil D. Castor. secre4ary and treasurer. The central committed comprises: Dr. D. F. TaIIey. chairman and Mrs NJ Y- Dabney. Scale Harris J. D. HeacOck, J. M Mason and M F Stiles Dues in the organization were fixed at $2 year and a number paid up on the spot
 President Talley opened the meet ing by declaring the league intended to discourage candidates who have fought public health measures After rhe adoption of the constitution and the pledge of support and membership by all doctors present Dr. Rankin wzs introduced by Dr. s. W Welsh, statE health officer.
 Rankin Speaks
 1 Dr. Rankin declared Alabama stood out unique among the states in allow ing her medical profession to map OUi legislative health measures
 Dr. Dabney pointed out the league was the first of its kind to be or. ganized in the medical fraternity and that a concrete program would he com pleted and announced later by the com mittee working on the plans now Hl asked members not to pledge them selves to any candidates now rUnnin; for office until the program was an nounced-
 He made it clear that the leagu would open an active fight against cit. and county officials who had fough health measures Tn the past and th0sl who did not favor them in the future He declared the goal of the le2gD was 300 membership which tOgethe with their wives should each be aha to influence 10 votes The grand totz !. of 5000 votes, he declared WAS suffi cient to swing any election in Jeffel son county.
 It was stated that even though n , regular slate indOrsing certain politics . candidates should be made by tn league. the league would certainly fixh any candidates known to be oppose to health measures
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