BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
February 9, 1950.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Dr. Hugh C. Thompson.
Members present were: Doctors E.M. Hayden,
O.J. Farness C.J. Newcomb
Donald Lewis A.N. Shoun
H.D. Cogswell Hugh C. Thompson, President
R.W. Rudolph William B. Steen, Sec-Treas.
Minutes of previous meetings were dispensed with by general agreement.
First item of business was whether the Board of Directors wished to make membership in the A.M.A. by means of paying the $25.00 A.M.A. dues obligatory for those who are members of the County Society. Since the State Council did not act on this question, the decision is left up to the county societies.
Discussion:
Dr. Cogswell-"Seems to me it should have been an open vote."
Dr. Thompson-"My impression was that the majority were in favor of it."
Dr. Lewis-"It was not brought to a final decision. This is a matter of forcing everybody to pay another $25.00 to another Society."
Dr. Thompson-"We should not lose sight of the fact that the A.M.A. is doing a lot to defeat socialized medicine. If socialized medicine is defeated, it will be because of the efforts of the national organization. This is the basis of the need for this money."
Dr. Farness-"It should be settled whether this is a deductible item."
Dr. Thompson-"If the County Medical dues are set as $100.00, then it will be deductible."
Dr. Lewis-"What are we going to do if we decide that we will make the dues $100.00 and two or three will not agree and will not pay, then they will not be members of the Society?"
Dr. Hayden-"I will the pay the $100.00 either way, but it may be a hardship to some members."
Dr. Lewis-"The idea is that I do not believe people should be forced to pay it."
Dr. Newcomb-"I do not think the society should have put responsibility for this decision upon this group."
Dr. Thompson-"That is the responsibility of this group, according to the By-laws."
Dr. Newcomb-"Why can't we go on record as favoring the $25.00 and bring it up at the next meeting for a vote of confirmation?"
Dr. Thompson-"I do not believe not belonging to the A.M.A. would restrict you in any hospital."
Dr. Newcomb-"I think this year there is an entirely different feeling than there was last year."
Dr. Cogswell-"It makes it only fair to those who will pay to make it mandatory so that some will not let it slide."
Dr. Steen-"Probably the only reason some men belong to the Society is so that they can have hospital privileges."
Dr. Newcomb-"I move that dues of $25.00 for the A.M.A. be made mandatory for this Society." Motion seconded by Dr. Cogswell, and carried.
The President called for a report from the Board of Censors, and Dr. Hayden, the only members present, requested that Dr. Hewitt's file on the Doctors Williams and Hill case be turned over to Dr. Van Smelker, the present senior member of this Board. He stated that Dr. Smelker has suggested that the Censors have a luncheon meeting with the two doctors mentioned. The President suggested that, if it were agreeable to the Board of Censors, he would like to have a report on this case submitted, if possible, by the next meeting.