Evening star., 1938-05-22
CONSUMERSFLAY
MEDICAL SOCIETY
FOR G. H. A. FIGHT
Federation in First Meeting
Votes to Condemn Body
and A. M. A. as Well.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
HELD UNRECOGNlZED
Palmisano Price. Fixing Bill Hit.
Action Taken on Meat Grading
and False Advertising.

Delegates to the flrst meeting OF
the new District Consumer Federation
at Wesley Hall yesterday condemned
the District Medical Society and the
American Medical Association for theil
fight against Group Health Associa-
ton here
The action was taken on voice vote
unanimously approving an amendment
to a resolution on "co-operative medi-
cine The vote on the resolution it
self was by secret ballot, as was the
voting on several other resolutions of
consumer interest. Detailed results OF
the balloting will be made public in
about a week, it was announced by
tary
The unanimous vote on the amend
ment which changed the original
wording from "deplore" to condemn
was taker as an official record of the
attitude of the newly formed fedora
fion.
Resolution Made Stronger.
The resolution pointed out that "ex-
pansion' of medical service to persons
and families of limited means in the
country was "imperatively necessary" ;
that medical care is one of the most
difficult of costs for consumers to
meet"
Approving the prepayment plan
of financing clinical form of Or
Eanization." the resolution declared
that medical organizations. instead of
recognizing their social responsibilities
ere dissipating their energies and
funds in opposing voluntary payment
schemes all over the country, includ-
ing the Group Health Association in
the District of Columbia"
voluntary cooperation unmolested
by dictation from any private group.
declared the resolution. is an lnallen-
able part of the American heritage of
freedom
The conference resolution was
amended not only to condemn" in
stead of deplore" the action of the
Medical Society of the District. but
1t was also amended to include the
American Medical Association, and
other medical associations, for "op-
posing the formation and operation
of cooperative medical groups
Probe of A. M. A. Favored.
Another section of the resolution
favored Federal legislation to facili-
tate the organization of cooperative
medical groups, and approved the
Scott resolution for investigation of
the A. NJ A.
The new federation also called on
Congress to enact the pending bill to
amend the Alley Dwelling Act to per-
init launching of slum reclama-
tion and low-rent program for the
District.
Delegates were warned that the
pending Palmisano bill to fix retail
prices in the District might be
brought before the House on Wednes-
day. Individuals were urged to op-
pose the measure.
Donald E. Montgomery, consumers
counsel of the Agricultural Adjust
ment Administration. explained the
purposes of such new federation OF
consumers and said the federations
were operating successfully in several
big cities.
Other Actions.
At the afternoon session delegates
to the federation voted by secret ballot
on a long list of resolutions. The re-
suits may be made public in about a
week or 10 days. The scope of the
matters under discussion was shown
by their subjects, which included suf-
frage. compulsory meat grading, con-
sumer agency, cooperative medicine,
false advertising, grade labelling,
health insurance, housing, co-opera-
tives, milk. labor disputes. labor stand
ards. minimum wage, labor conditions
and taxation.
The suffrage resolution, in which
much interest was shown, in view Of
the recent hearings before the House
Judiciary Committee, would put the
Federation on record in favor of both
national representation and local
elective self-government. 1t recon-
mended that the federation and its
affiliated groups join with the Citizens
Conference on District Suffrage to
achieve these ends.
Mrs. Emily Newell Blair, who pre-
sided. announced that the movement
having been launched yesterday, a
campaign will be carried through the
summer, with view to holding big
meeting in october, to organize the
District Consumers Federation.