Evening star., 1938-09-20
j. s. WILL PRESS
CASE AGAINST DC.
4 MEDICAL SOCIETY
Unlawful Trade Restraint
Against Health Group
Will Be Charged.
EVIDENCE is DUE TO GO
TO JURORS NEXT MONTH
A. NJ. A. Endorsement of Program
Outlined After Survey Is
Hailed by Cummings.

Declaring that the American Medi-
cal Associations recent denial that it
is a monopoly was entirely irrelevant,
Attorney General Cummings today an
nounced determination of the Gov
ernment to proceed with its case
against the Medical Society Of the
District and the American Medical
Association. charging them with al
legged unlawful restraint Of trade"
against Group Health Association, Inc,
here.
Mr. Cummings specifically explained
that the departments action did not
Involve charges Of monopoly.
The Government, he declared in his
first fall press conference, stands much
in the position of referee in foot
ball game between two colleges. THE
referee" he explained, lis not for or
against either team, but 1t becomes
his painful duty on occasions to i'm
pose l5-yard penalty for holding"
The case, in the hands of Assistant
Attorney General Thurman Arnold,
probably will be ready for the grand
jury next month, Mr.. Cummings said.
Whether it will be presented to the
regular grand jury, or to an extra, or
special grand jury depends, he said.
on the mechanics of the situation
here.
Referring to the recent action OF
the A. NJ A. House of Delegates in
Chicago, the attorney general said the
delegates had adopted certain resolu-
tions, which "ifl the main constitute
Endorsement of the program outlined
by the Interdepartmental Committee
to Coordinate Health and Welfare
Activities, appointed by President
Roosevelt"
That action" said Mr.. Cummings,
els entirely commendable and gratify-
ing. 1t represents substantial progress
and liberalization.
But wish to call attention to the
fact" he warned that this action does
not in the least degree have anything
to do with the program of the De-
partment Of Justice to present its case
to the District of Columbia grand jury
next month"
There seems to be some confusion
on this point" continued Mr.. Cum
mings. For example, understand
that the American Medical Association
adopted a resolution declaring that it
is not and has never been a monopoly
under any Interpretation of that term.
That is an interesting and pious
declaration, but hasn't anything to do
with the case. 1t is entirely irrelevant.
OF course, the Department of Justice
in the statement which it issued did
not contend that it was a monopoly.
I'VE complain of unlawful restraints
OF trade, Of efforts to coerce and boy
cott-efforts carried to the extent Of
refusing consultation and closing the
doors of hospitals to physicians OF
approved professional qualifications"
Explaining that this was the first
action taken by the Government
against a professional group in the
United States, the Attorney General
pointed out that in English jurispru-
dence there we're actions against the
medical profession running far back
into history
The Attorney General said there
was mo general investigation of the
American Medical Association" but
admitted an agent Of the department
might have been going through the
files OF the A. NJ A. at Chicago in
connection with the case pending
here.
The action Of the department in the
local case was announced off1cially Au-
gust l, in comprehensive statement
issued by Assistant Attorney General
Arnold, approved by Mr.. Cummings.
It listed alleged activities of both the
American Medical Association and the
Medical Society Of the District Of Co.
lumbia, and declared: some of the
officials of both these organizations
are attempting to prevent this asso-
citation Group Health Association
from functioning."