Evening star., 1949-05-24

Sees Administration Health Bill
Al an Invasion Of the Nations Sick Roem
To the Editor Of The star
Readers OF The Star will recall Harold
B. Rogers excellent reporting Of the historic
medical antitrust trial q decade ago, He Was
always fair factual and objective. Is II an
omen that he reports the present congress
sional hearings on the administration .
highly controversial compulsory health IN
surance scheme? II starts in the same atmos-
phere of . political witch-hunt that made
every doctor seethe with honest Indignation
and rebellion.
hunt under the pious auspices OF profiigate
Treasury raiders with a cold contempt for
intellectual honesty and practically. Their
only faith was in the black magic of impos-
sible promises and credulity cynically
betrayed In fanatical revolt against horse
and-buggy methods. they conspired 10 use
politically sycophant courts to seize control
OF the Nations sick room. Their modern
instrument was the Sherman Antitrust Act
OF 1890. Never In Its 50 years had 1t been
perverted TO make the learned professions
consult the political prosecutor before fol-
lowing mind and conscience.e
But this was their only M1thcd TO circum-
vent and usurp the sDveSs1gn power of
masters Of the Nation D sick room, the way
was wide open for the nompaotalv PLANNED
and resimented economy Frothy -mouthed
inteilectuals would be the onnipotent high
priests Of new paternalistic order Of tax.
spend and elect.
But the sick room Of the Nation did not
fafl At the height Of dictatorial power when
Congress was q rubber stamp. they never
let these high priests. with poised sacrificial
knives. invade the Nations sick room. Some
instinct OF national preservation warned
them II one learned profession were betrayed
TO the political commissars. the priest and
lawyer were sure to follow Yet thwarted
when Congress was their willing tool they
now attempt seizure OF the Nations sick
room when Congress is less apt to play their
dupe.
Representative Dingell. Democrat. Of
Michigan leads the administrator forces
In the putsch TO gain control of the
Nations sick room. The spoils Will
make WPA look like the loot from the
piggy bank OF q share -croppers child Like
the medical antitrust indictment and trial.
Representative Dinsell starts the putsch with
TRADES Of character defamation Unlike Or
ganized labor. organized medicine In q
deyilish conspiracy. Representative Dingell
screams that American Medical Associa-
tion members are 'cold blooded lobbyists" and
their tactics . disgrace to the medical pro-
fession." Their calling the administration 8
spit-image Of England's scheme "socialized
medicine" Is "scurrilous, contemplate, pre-
meditated and scandalous"
Definitely our ANA may be handicapped
IN lacking MIR. Dingell's mastery Of invective.
More likely. his temperate moderation win
be just what the doctor ordered TO convince
prospective patients Of the value Of uncon-
sciousness when Mr. Dtngell ct ai take over
the Nations sick room. He 10 beautifully
symbolizes the gentleness. the tact and the
melting charm Of the administration pros-
pective custody Of the Nations sick room,
BY the way Why did the adminissrati ton
forget 10 cut In the undertaken on their
omnibus compulsory health insurance
scheme? Somebody has to bury the dead.
THOMAS T. MATTfN1ry Mn