Letters received from Mr. Robert Dyer, architect, relative to coming here to help set up program for new hospital building. It was explained by Dr. Manning that this firm of architects was contacted concerning plans, and that it is, of course, interested in the 10% commission to be obtained. He felt, however, that a reply should be made to this communication, and it was so ordered.
Letter was received from the Arizona Medical Association concerning the eligibility of Dr. Morris D. Cohen to the Fifty Year Club.
It was moved by Dr. Royal Rudolph that Dr. Morris D. Cohen be recommended for Fifty Year Club membership. Motion was seconded by Dr. George Fraser and carried.
Material on the Bricker Amendment was submitted by Dr. Engle, at the request of the Republican Committee, which thought the doctors ought to have an opportunity to sign a petition favoring this Amendment. In explanation, he stated that there seem to be two purposes for this Amendment,
1. There is now in our constitution a provision that an international treaty agreed to between the United Nations, whatever it concerns, is the supreme law of the land. In other words, should it conflict with our own Constitution, it must take precedence. Mr. Bricker thinks that there is a possibility of infringement by these treaties.
2. To abolish the power of the President to make a treaty binding, that it, a secret treaty. A treaty, to have power and authority and be binding, must pass Congress.
Dr. Rudolph asked whether the A.M.A. had not endorsed the Bricker Amendment, and Dr. Engle replied that it had.
It was moved by Dr. Harry Thompson that this be referred back to the donor by Dr. Engle, stating that it is a problem for the individual doctor and not one for the Society.
Dr. Costin questioned that if this is an issue with the A.M.A., whether it should not be looked over for recommendation by the Legislative Committee.
Dr. Thompson stated that this matter came up in the proceedings of the Arizona Medical Association and was considered to be controversial and that it was an individual doctor's prerogative to sign such petitions if he so wished.
Motion was seconded by Dr. Kent, and upon being put to the question, was carried.
Dr. Engle stated that, along similar lines, one of our legislators had presented the Medical Society with a booklet which represents the proposed new Arizona State Income Law. Dr. Engle said that he had told Mr. Harold Burton that, at a County Level, no attorney was retained to advise on such things.
Statement of accounts for the month ending December 31, 1953, was submitted by the Treasurer.
The President spoke about talks made by members of the Society. He had been called by two different groups in one day for someone to speak in aid of fund drives. He replied to these requests, he said, to the effect that the Society should not become involved in fund drives, and then that same evening Dr. Farness spoke about the drive for funds for Tuberculosis. Following this, of course, the applicants for speakers called him and said "You would not do this for us!" Dr. Manning suggested that if all the men who are called upon to speak would clear with the chairman of the Public Relations committee this sort of happening might be avoided.
Dr. Lesemann reminded that Dr. Farness is President of the Tuberculosis Society, and he felt it to be his right to go on that program.
