Evening star., 1934-04-29

lumbia. Usually it is comparatively easy TO
start such a body and elect officers; but to
keep it going, build it up and keep it active Is
. much more difficult thing.
beginning had to be made, and so in the
National Intelligencer of September "A, 1917,
we find a call for the first meeting which says:
The physicians of Washington and George
town are requested to meet at Tennison's Ho-
tel on Friday, the 26th instant at IL O'Clock.
for the purpose of taking into consideration the
organization Of Medical Society,""
Sixteen physicians, according to the record
attended this meeting-Drs 3. S. Bohrer, j. H.
Blake, George Clark Robert French, John
Harrison Thomas Henderson, Samuel Horsley
Henry Hunt James T. Johnson william
Jones' J. p. c. Mcmahon, Alexander McWil-
hams, Thomas Sim. Peregrine Warfeld and
Charles and Nicholas Worthington. DR..
Charles Worthington made chairman and
DR.. HUNT secretary. The object of the meet
ing was explained, and the following resolution
adopted:
Resolved That the physicians attending this
meeting deem it important and expedient to
organize at once a society in the District for
the promotion of medical science"
1t might be interesting to note that Tenni-
sons Hotel. conducted at this time by Joshua
Tennison and John Strother, occupied the site
Of the present Willard Hotel. Later Strother
became the sole proprietor, when 1t also be-
come known as the Mansion Hotel. At first
the hotel was probably confined to only one Of
the six two-story- -and-attic houses erected on
this corner by John Tayloe. but ultimately all
were used for hotel purposes.
A T THIS meeting committee Of seven was
selected to draft constitution and by
laws. This committee made a report on
November 8, and a further report seven days
later, when it was ordered that the next meet
and that all physicians Of the city should be
invited to attend and take part in adopting
the constitution and bylaws as q whole and
in the election of officers" These formalities
were complied with, evidenced by an item
Of January S. appearing in the National Mes
senger Of January z, 1918, which says:
"At a meeting of the physicians Of the
District Of Columbia held at Tennson's Hotel,
pursuant to adjournment. a constitution for
the government of the Medical Society was
adopted and the following gentlemen were
chosen officers Of the society for the ensuing
year: DR.. Charles Worthington, president; DR..
Arnold Elzey and DR.. j. H. Blake vice
presidents; DR.. H. HUNT corresponding secre-
tary; DR.. j. Henderson, recording secretary; DR..
W. Jones, treasurer; DR.. r. Weightman, liz
brarian. Published by order Of the society"
On February 4, month later, the following
announcement appeared in the same paper:
"a meeting of the members Of Medical So
clety OF the DlSCrlct OF ColumDia Is Called ana
to be held this day at Tennison's Hotel at IL
O'Clock, for the purpose of expressing their feel
tngs on the occurrence of the death Of DR..
Caspar Wistar of Philadelphia.
'By order of the president,
'"TH. HENDERSON, Sec'y"
The next meeting was held on April at the
Washington Hotel on Pennsylvania avenue and
q request for "punctual attendance" was made.
This hotel was on the Avenue, west Of Tenni-
sons, and was conducted by John Mcleod un-