Medicine: Illegal, Immoral

Cool as genteel cucumbers are the county medical societies which make up the rank & file of the American Medical Association. But hot as a red pepper is the New York County (Manhattan) Medical Society, largest and most powerful in the U. S. Last fall, its members objected to closed conclaves of the officers, clamored for open-meeting discussion of all important business matters. Last week members kicked up another hullabaloo.

During the past several years, a number of county and State societies have elected “executive secretaries” for long tenure, to steer the societies through troublous times. Before leaving office last December, the Comitia Minora, the board of directors of the New York County Society, appointed as pilot Dr. Benjamin Wallace Hamilton, a veteran factotum.

Without consulting the membership, the officers created a new position for Dr. Hamilton, signed a five-year contract raising his annual salary from $6,000 to $12,000. But Comitia Member George Baehr of Mt. Sinai Hospital, balking at this $60,000 pledge, let the cat out of the bag. (Most Manhattan doctors seldom see $12,000 a year.)

Last week, when the Society met to install its new officers, wigs were on the green. Leader of the opposition was Cardiologist Ernst Philip Boas of Columbia, a newly elected member of the Comitia. Since the new position of executive secretary, said Dr. Boas, had not been approved by the membership, according to Society rules, it was illegal. If one penny was paid Dr. Hamilton, he said, Manhattan Lawyers Root, Clark, Buckner and Ballantine would raise legal hell.

For almost two hours, dignified doctors made the welkin ring with catcalls, boos, and cries of “Sit down! Hire a hall!” Roundly applauded was a young doctor who said: “The private practice of medicine has fallen 40 to 50%. At this time to vote $60,000 salary for one man is not only illegal but also immoral. Many men would fill the job at one-fourth the salary.”

Finally the members hoarsely decided on a secret ballot. Result: 303 upheld the action of the Comitia, 488 repudiated it. Although this action of the membership could not legally break the contract, it seemed clear last week that the rank & file had won. After a hasty conference, the retiring president spread the word that Dr. Hamilton would resign.