Evening star., 1943-04-22
ControversyContinue
Over Local Activities
Of tuberculosis Unit
National Organization
Asked to Take Charge
After Secretary Resigns

The District tuberculosis Asso-
citation is involved in another con-
troversy, it became known today.
DR.. j. Winthrop Peabody, presi-
dent announced the resignation of
Harold H. Lund, executive secretary,
has been accepted and the National
tuberculosis Association, has been
requested to send q representative to
take charge until q successor to Mr..
Lund can be appointed.
Mr.. Lund made public his letter
of resignation, in which he said, in
part, I'VE are in a war for democ-
racy. Every dollar and every ounce
of energy must be devoted to vim
ming the war. No one should work
today for an agency which seeks
contributions from the public un-
less it serves the public interest
alone"
Raised About $4,000.
The association, according to Mr..
Lund, raised about $4,000 last sea-
son through the sale of 1912 Christ
mas seals to support the tuberculosis
program. Mr.. Lund, whose resigna-
ton will not be effective until May
13, expects to be in Office at the
annual meeting of the association
Tuesday night. He had planned, he
said, to accuse the directors of neg
lect of duties.
Mr.. Lund charged the board of
the association was dominated by
few physicians who derive their
income from practice in the tuber-
culosis field. He indicated DR.. Pea
body had threatened to- force Mr..
Lund's removal from Office and had
appointed a committee to investi-
gate certain accusations and allie
cations" against Mr.. Lund.
The committee. Mr.. Lund claimed,
reported a lack of harmony in
the association and between the
District Health Department and the
Medical Society.
Resignation Offered April 13.
DR., Peabody, in a formal state
ment to The Star today said Mr..
Lund's resignation had been offered
on April 13, and had been accepted
by the board.
While no formal charges had
been preferred" he said. "the COM
mittee did find that certain activi-
ties had been criticized by those in
a position to understand the fun
damental principles of such a
health agency.
The board of this association, !"
he said, 'is thoroughly committed
to cooperation with the Medical
Society of the District of Columbia
the Medico-Chirurgical Society, the
Health Department of the District
OF Columbia, and the policies of the
National tuberculosis Association. Z"
The local association, DR.. Peabody
emphasized, would be willing to have
its affairs reviewed at any time by
the national association and have a
report on the matter made public.
Takes Exception to Statement.
Taking exception to published
statement by Mr.. Lund that the as
sociation directors had neglected
regular association business for more
than three months prior to March
Is, 1943," DR.. Peabody pointed to the
meetings of the special Investigation
committee which lasted over period
of about seven weeks, including the
time Mr.. Lund charged the board
had been indifferent.
Furthermore, DR.. Peabody said,
''the routine work of the association
was supposed to have been carried
on by the executive secretary. There
again the record would show that
the association was. not inactive
during the period stated"
Mr.. Lund,. in his statement said
that tentative plans prepared early
In January by the staff for con-
tinuation and extension of an ef-
fective program of education and
service have been given no
consideration. = = No analysis OF
the current tuberculosis problems
in the city has been made"
| During 194l, Mr.. Luud charged