Evening star., 1941-03-20
ANA. Rejected
Selders Case,
Jury Is Told
Dr.. West Testifies
Association Declined
To Take Jurisdiction
BY HAROLD B. ROGERS.

Or. Olin West, secretary and gen.
eral manager of the American
Medical Association, today defended
the A. M. A. against charges OF
illegally conspiring against Group
Health Association doctors when he
told District Court jury the A. M. A.
had refused to take jurisdiction in
the controversial case of DR.. Ray
mond E. Selders, G. H. A. surgeon.
DR.. West. the fourth defendant
from A. M. A. headquarters. returned
to the witness stand to face trial
along with two medical organiza-
tions and II other doctors for alleged
restraint of trade against G. H. A.
in violation of the Sherman Anti
Trust Act.
Or. West was to face cross
examination by Government counsel
later and was expected to be fol-
lowed by DR.. Morris Fishbein, editor
Of the journal of the A. M. A.
The complicated case of DR.. Sell
ders was unfolded to the jury to-
day as DR.. West identified long
fist OF letters and documents which
were read to the jury by Defense
Counsel William E. Leahy.
Former Texas Physician.
Or. Selders, it was shown by this
evidence, was former Texas ply
xician. member of Harris County
Medical Society of Houston who had
engaged in group practice in Wash
ington with G. H. A. medical CO.
operative of Government workers.
Charges were brought against DR..
Selders by his medical society in
Texas which sought to "indict" rim
for "unethical practice" because he
was with G. H. A. The Harris Coun-
ty Society asked the Judicial Coun-
ell of the A. M. A. to take jurisdic-
ton and asked for advice in the case.
+ DR.. West was shown by some of
his letters in the case to have ex-
pressed the personal opinion that
G.. H. A. was illega! because it was
q corporation practicing medicine
and is also engaging in the insur-
ance business. He also quoted a
Government official as having said
fund Of $4,000 advanced by the
Home Owners Loan Corp. to G. H.
A. 10 set up its clinic was without
authority of law. He pointed to
opinions of the United States attor-
ney for Washington and the cor
poration counsel of the District of
Columbia that G. H. A. was illega!
at that time.
Not Responsible for Status.
However, DR.. West finally went on
record as saying the judicial coun-
ell OF the A. M. A. was not respon-
sible for the status of DR.. Selders
and that his status was no question
to be considered by the Judicial
Council unless there was a COM
plant by the District of Columbia
Medical Society.
do you recall" Mr.. Leahy asked,
whether the Judicial Council of the
A. M. A. ever took any action con-
cerning DR.. Selders' membership"
I don't think it took any action
on Selders' membership. The coun-
ell finally decided it had no jurisdic-
ton in the matter"
WAS nothing further done
about it?"
Nothing but to notify the Har-
MS County Medical Society that the
judicial Council had 40 Jurisdiction. ="
Finally Reinstated.
DR.. Selders, it had been previously
disclosed to the jury, finally was re-
instated in his membership in the
Harris County Society. 1t also was
reported that he is now practicing
there. DR.. Selders' G. H. A. activi-
ties have figured largely in the med
ical case as the Government has
charged that he was refused the
courtesy privileges of many hospitals
in Washington for treatment of c..
II. A. patients.
DR.. West, In several hours on the
stand yesterday, outlined general
policies of the A. M. A. in regard
to group practice and contract prac-
tice.
The witness warned against what
he considered the dangers of COM
pulsory sickness insurance, which he
said once had been widely agitated
in this country. Investigation by the
A. M. A. of the operation of COM
pulsory sickness insurance in other
countries had convinced him, he
said, that it docs not contribute
to the advancement of scientific
medicine, and does not serve the
best interest of the public"
Policy Never Declared.
Mr.. Leahy asked DR.. West: Has
the A. M. A. ever declared any policy
against group practice of medicine
rs such?"
NO." replied the witness.
What type of group practice is
epposed2"
1--WE are opposed to any group
practice which offers to do more
than can be done under the terms of
Its contract. We are opposed to
corporations practicing medicine
because they are not qualified to
practice medicine, and we also op-
pose group practice by disreputable
irresponsible physicians, or those
who have record of responsibility
or show lack of professional quail
fication, a lack of professional ethics
and tradition" Many A. M. A. doc
tors, however, are engaged in ap-
proved contract practice throughout
the country, he said.