The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-08-12
Domestic

A. M. AS PRESIDENT IRVING
Domestic
Modern medicines biggest prob
lem is the middle class, too pros
porous for relief, too poor to pay its
doctor bills. Although 80 per cent
Of the nation favors government
care for those who cannot pay, the
potent American Medical associa-
ton has constantly frowned on U. S.
subsidy.
In Chicago, A. M. AS headquar-
tiers, 80 physicians have been ex-
PEELED since 1920 for operating low
cost clinics and advertising their
services. Throughout America, de-
pression-ridden medics have twid-
died their thumbs while the nation
suffered from poor health. What
makes the situation more desperate
is that acute illness is much more
prevalent in the low income
brackets than among those who can
pay.
Last November a self-appointed
committee of 430 doctors revolted
against A. M. AS high ethical
standards and took the stump IA
voring socialized medicine. Their
proposals, all previously rejected by
A. M. A., included local, state and
federal subsidy for public health
work, disqualification, research and
education.
For six months an interested pub
lie has been forming opinions. Two
weeks ago President Roosevelt's ma
tional health conference met at
Washington under able Josephine
Roche, former head Of U. S. health
activities as assistant secretary of
the treasury. Though they listened
attentively to the Roche program
for an $3.50, 00O, 0O0-a-year medical
program, delegates soon broke into
two camps.
From Mayo clinics DR.. Hugh
Cabot, leader of the revolving group,
came charge that the practice Of
medicine is medieval in parts Of
the u. S. Lashed back A.. M. AS
General Manager Olin West: II
don't know whether the medical pro-
fession is any more proud of Cabot
than he is Of the medical profess
sion." Added fiery DR.. Morris Fish
bein, editor of "A. M. AS Journal:
Medical care is not the most i'm
portant problem before the people
Of the United States medical
and dental care must always be
subservient to the need for food,
fuel, clothing, shelter and job.''
Last week A. M. A. found itself
in an uncomfortable position. In
Washington, Assistant Attorney
General Thurman Arnold announced
that A. M. "A. viii be prosecuted as
a monopoly under the federal anti
trust laws, accused of violating the
law by boycotting low-cost clinics.
Specific grounds for the suit in
volved the Group Health association
of the District Of Columbia, organ
lied. last year by. $500 government
employees. Trust Buster Arnold
charged A. M. A. and the Medical
Society Of the District of Columbia
had attempted to prevent the Group
Health. association from operating
by cold-shouldering doctors. Group
Health association physicians, he
said, had been ~ excluded from
Washington hospitals, (2) threat
ened with expulsion from the asso-
citation and (3) made unwelcome at
consultations with other doctors.
As A. M. A. prepared its counter
attack, Thurman Arnold predicted
the suit would have ''far-reaching
consequences on one Of our most
pressing problems" i'
AUi0tiOn
In Portland, Ore, one day last
week, Major Howard c. French of
the u. S. air reserve corps posed
for his picture being dragged into
plane bound for San Francisco.
The pretense was that Major French
feared flying.
Next day he headed west over the
Pacific in Pan-American's Hawaiian
Clipper bound for Manila. Some
$500 miles later the ship landed in
Honolulu and took off for Midway
island, 1880 miles away. Next stop
was Wake island and next came
GUAM When the 26-ton Clipper took
off for Manila, Major French must
have thought his fears were in vain.
But q few hours later the Clippers
radio went dead. After half day
Of anxious waiting, Pan-American
admitted the ship must be down at
sea. Out from Manila went the