Board of Directors Meeting, April 27,-Page 5
The President advised the Board of Directors present that the American Medical Association and the State Association are urging doctors to show definite interest in politics. This Society has been approached by one of the local Democratic leaders with the suggestion that the doctors take an interest locally and that some of them run for precinct committeemen with the idea that the delegates they can send to the Democratic Convention will present opposition to socialized medicine. The cost of getting out petitions for precinct committeemen is $10.00. The Society as such cannot do anything about this-put up funds or push any individual, but the Society can urge its members to do so if they wish, and it is the request of the A.M.A. and State Medical Association that we interest ourselves this year. This man, Dr. Thompson has reason to believe, has a great amount of influence in politics, and apparently has influence locally. Dr. Thompson inquired if the Board of Directors wanted a letter sent out urging the doctors in the County to take part in this project.
Discussion:
Dr. Steen said that Mr. Graeber's point was that it would take fifty committeemen at ten dollars a piece, and that if we could get $500.00 we could get enough precinct committeemen who would be sympathetic and favorable to our desires.
Dr. Hugh Thompson said that Mr. Graeber had promised to get the petitions out and that he urges we do everything we can to get people elected who are opposed to socialized medicine.
Dr. Harry Thompson felt that it might be better to initiate a group which is independent of the Society to handle this so that the Society might be as free from politics as possible.
Dr. Steen stated that Mr. Graeber was also willing to select people who would be opposed to socialized medicine in case doctors did not wish to run. He said that he understood this would be the same deal, amounting to $500.00, and that Mr. Graeber would get out and manage the leg work for it.
Dr. Hugh Thompson inquired what the wish of the Board of Directors was.
Dr. Hayden moved that the matter be followed through with and that the letter which has been dictated and the suggestion that you have for volunteers or individuals these doctors may know who would be willing to run who are opposed to socialized medicine as precinct committeemen.
Dr. Harry Thompson seconded the motion, saying that the movement is good and the group should be initiated out of the Society. He suggested that the doctors be told what their precinct is and who to contact (Mr. Graeber), and that a doctor act as a central clearing house for the money from the doctors and give it to Mr. Graeber. He thought that the Society could take no official action, but that it would be possible in this manner and that the desired purpose might be accomplished if the right men were behind it.
Motion was carried.
Dr. Steen advised that this letter could not just be sent out and then the matter be allowed to hang, that it must be gone into wholeheartedly.
Dr. Harry Thompson stated that the only thing to do is to select a man who will work on it.
Dr. Lewis suggested having a donation pot at the picnic.
Dr. Hugh Thompson read a letter from Dr. Whitehill in which complaint was made about an article called "Can Cancer Kill My Child" which appeared in this month's "Health Activities", in which statement is made that only doctors in places like Memorial Hospital can diagnose cancer.
Dr. Harry Thompson moved that this complaint be transmitted without comment or recommendations from the Society to the Health Activities Board, which should receive these complaints and review them. Dr. Hewitt seconded the motion. Dr. Hayden suggested that Dr. Whitehall be sent a copy of the letter of transmittal. Motion carried.
