Board of Directors Meeting, January 29th, 1952 3
Dr. Cogswell inquired about the background for the Society appointment to the State Committee on Conservation of Hearing, stating that Dr. Mikell had approached him about it, wanting to be appointed. Dr. Cogswell understood that Dr. Mikell does not even belong to this group.
Discussion:
Dr. Bernstein--I think it ought to be known that never before has there been an appointment to this group. I was Chairman for several years, but was never officially appointed. Dr. Laidlaw apparently decided that whatever otologist was working with her was automatically chairman.
(Correspondence read by the Secretary).
Dr. Cogswell asked for suggestion as to appointment.
Dr. Bernstein--John is interested in the problem of deafness in children and has set up a means of examining them at his office; however, he is not even a member of this group because he resigned in anger at one time. As a matter of fact, Mr. Howenstine invited me some two weeks ago to attend some meeting, and I told him I did not think I ought to be chairman and that possibly John would be the logical one for that, but for some reason he did not seem inclined to do that. I do not care to be interested in the politicking.
Dr. Hugh Thompson--The story goes back to when we first appointed the Committee on Hearing. Because Joe Kinkade was interested and apparently did work hard, we put him on the Professional Board, and he had continued to be interested and to work, and Joe and John do not get along. John was mad because Joe was appointed, and Joe has a chip on his shoulder because John is not a Board man.
Dr. Harry Thompson moved that this matter be left up to the usual Presidential appointment. Motion was seconded and carried.
Dr. Kohl--as I understand it, this Board is only an advisory thing. The one who conceived the idea, had practically broken her neck and given all her time to it, and because of her efforts gotten very sizeable donations, is Gladys Wyatt. It is a part of her life; she lives it all the time. She is the one who is doing all the work, we are just advisors, and I do not know that our Chairman would have a great deal to do except to confer with the one who is raising funds.
Dr. Hewitt--Has the organization done much for deaf people?
Dr. Hugh Thompson--Yes.
Dr. Bernstein--At one time Mr. Howenstine came to me and said that Mrs. Wyatt was going to be able to raise funds to set up some organization in town whereby anyone would be able to have a hearing test done--a type of free clinic whereby anyone could come in and have a hearing test. These things are done without consulting us or asking our feeling about it, and it appeared to me that if they would just limit their work to the plan in schools it would be all right, but serving as chairman I am invited to meetings in which I have no interest at all; therefore I have lost interest past the point of seeing the children. Being chairman means you have to attend luncheons, etc., and I am not particularly interested.
Dr. Cogswell remarked that he has been told that the Parent Teachers Association is plugging for State Medicine, and that if this is so the Society should hear about it. He also stated that a large proportion of civilians are being treated at the Airbase, that their medical care is 75% civilian and 25% military personnel; he felt that Society should know more about this, if it is so.
Dr. Bernstein remarked that he had spoken recently to a medical officer from the Air Base who does nothing but take care of civilians.
Dr. Hewitt remarked that the Board of Directors should remember that it is of
