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Recent Army Dental Legislation
THE JOURNAL N A T IO N A L D E N T A L A S S O C IA T IO N Entered as second-class matter, March 22, 1915, at the P ost Office at Huntington, Indiana, under the A ct o f August 24, 1912. Published Quarterly. A ll contributions and correspondence should be addressed to the General Secretary, OTTO TJ. KING, I). D . S ., Huntington, Indiana. All expressions of opinions and all statements of supposed facts are published on the authority o f the writer over whose signature they appear and are not to be regarded as expressing the views o f the National Dental A ssociation, unless such statements or opinions have been adopted by vote o f the A sso ciation. SUBSCRIPTION included in the annual membership dues. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 a year, in advance, to non-m em bers, living in allparts o f the United States o r its possessions. Canada, $1.10. Foreign countries, $1.40. ADVERTISEMENTS accepted only from reliable firms. Fraudulent arid misleading advertisements barred. IN CHANGES OF ADDRESS both the old and new address must be given. RENEWAL BILLS are sent one month in advance. Prom pt attention to them prevents discontinuance from the mailing list. Journals are not sent beyond the subscription period.
V o l. 3
MAY,
1916
No. 2
E d it o r ia l D e p a r t m e n t . RECENT ARMY DENTAL LEG ISLATION. The Army Defense Bill just en acted into law has incorporated amongst its many other excellent provisions one granting improved status to the members of the den tal profession in the Army. While the legislation secured is not altogether satisfactory, it was the best that could be obtained at this time. The Legislative Com mittee and others worked indefat-
igably to secure the adoption of an equitable and at the same time conservative bill, but it was found necessary to concede some import ant features in order to procure the enactment of a dental provis ion that would grant at least some of the more important objects sought. The results accomplished, and they are important results, are due in large part, to three things: The justice of our cause, the largely enhanced strength of our reorgan-
212
ED ITO RIAL D EPARTM ENT.
ized Association, and the splendid spirit shown by the officers and members of the constituent socie ties. Without these three factors we are satisfied that nothing could have been accomplished. Congress in general is willing to do justice, but before enacting leg islation it demands that the parties seeking such legislation shall know what they desire and make their requests in accordance therewith, and thru our well organized Asso ciation and the centralized hand ling of the entire matter we have been able to co-ordinate our effort and eliminate the “ cross-purpose” efforts which have heretofore de feated our attempts to obtain sat isfactory legislation at the hands of Congress. This is but another evidence of the necessity of or ganization in the modern scheme of affairs. Just how the new dental enact ment will operate is not entirely clear in some respects as yet as the following telegram received from General Gorgas, Surgeon General of the Army, May 25, 1916, will show: “ Reference yours concerning Dental Corps, has not been authoratively construed by the law officers of the Government and until so constructed this office cannot formulate any opinion as to how it will operate ; will notify you of ruling as soon as made.” We believe, however, that the following results have been accom plished: that the contract status has been done away with and a commissioned status in the grade of first lieutenant for new appoint ees substituted therefor; that the discriminating and unjust status
213
whereby officers of the Dental Corps were required to remain per manently below the lowest ranking officers of the Medical Corps and Medical Reserve Corps, keeping them always at the bottom of the list of first lieutenants, has been corrected; we know that two addi tional grades have been added, that of captain and major; that a certain amount of promotion has been provided for; and that the number of dental surgeons in the Army has been increased in pro portion to the increase in the Army. Among the immediately appar ent unsatisfactory features of the enactment are : the inequitable amount of service required for pro motion to the grade of major; the limited number authorized for this grade; and the failure to provide for placing the detail of the admin istration of matters relating to the Dental Corps in the hands of a suitable member of this corps sta tioned in the Surgeon General’s office. •We must confess that we cannot understand the reason for the con ferees on this bill refusing to al low more than fifteen majors to the Dental Corps or permitting the lowering of the service require ment for the grade of major below twenty-four years when, at the same time, they agreed to require but twenty years service of mem bers of the Veterinary Corps, es tablished by this bill, for promotion to the grade of major with ALL members of this corps made eligi ble to this grade upon completion of the specified service. We are glad to see the members of the
214
TH E JOURNAL OF TH E NATION AL D EN TA L ASSOCIATION.
Veterinary Corps receive this con sideration at the hands of congress and believe that they are fully en titled to the recognition which has been accorded them, but, at the same time, this action on the part of the conferees serves to accentu ate the injustice of some of the features of the recent enactment as relating to the Dental Corps. We realize that in a bill dealing with as many matters as the Army Defense Bill does, it is a very diffi cult thing to keep out all injustices, but we hope that when the matter is again placed before congress the provisions of the section relating to the members of the dental pro fession will be so amended as to correct the unsatisfactory features of the present provision. In a discussion which took place on the floor of the United States Senate on April 14th, (Page 201 in this issue) with reference to the question of like status for offi cers of the Dental Corps with that of other officers of the Army a great many very friendly views were expressed by various sena tors concerning our profession, and this, together with the action taken by the Senate at the close of this discussion, upholding the conten tion of the profession for a proper status for dental officers, indicated very clearly that a majority of the members of the Senate entertained a very friendly feeling toward the dental profession and toward the effort which is being made to se cure better recognition for the dental officers in the Army. Among those taking part in the discussion were: Senator Pomerene, of Ohio, who introduced the
amendment under consideration and ably led the fight for its adop tion; Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire; Senator Overman, of North Carolina; Senator Thomas, of Colorado; Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts; Senator Cham berlain, of Oregon; Senator Borah, of Idaho; Senator Hardwick, of Georgia; Senator Clark, of Wyom ing ; Senator DuPont, of Delaware; Senator Hughes, of New Jersey; Senator Smith of Georgia; Sena tor Works, of California; Senator Myers, of Montana; and Senator Lane, of Oregon. Among all these there were but two who opposed the professional’s plea for equality — Senator Chamberlain, of Ore gon, and Senator DuPont, of Dela ware. While the matter did not come up as a separate issue in the House of Representatives it is known that the profession has a number of staunch supporters in this branch of Congress also, the most active of whom, probably, were Representatives Kahn, of Califor nia, and Hay, of Virginia. It is but due our friends in the Senate and House of Representa tives that we should express to them at this time our sincere ap preciation of their friendly inter est and .support in our behalf, and that we should use our best efforts to further the interests of these friends of the profession in every way possible. We wish to thank certain of the officers of the War Department for the courteous treatment received at their hands and the Surgeon General’s Office for courtesies shown and assistance rendered, al
ED ITO RIA L D EPARTM ENT.
so to express our very sincere ap preciation to the members of the medical profession in general for the fraternal and kindly spirit shown. Many members of the dental profession are also deserving of unstinted praise for their generous assistance in this matter and to them we also extend our thanks. Members of the profession, let us take hope from the results which have been accomplished and begin anew upon a continuance of the work with a spirit which will secure to our profession the fur ther recognition which will place the dental profession in the posi tion in the Public Service to which it is rightfully entitled. AMERICAN DENTAL HOSPITAL IN PARIS. The work of the members of the dental profession in raising funds for the establishing of the “ Special American Hospital in Paris for Wounds of the Face and Jaw” de serves special mention. Start ing in November with the Organi zation of special committees in va rious cities the response has been especially praiseworthy. Nearly $40,000 has been raised to date and the hospital is an accomplish ed fact. The French government has given a building on Avenue Wagram and the work of equip ping is going on as rapidly as pos sible. Supplies are hard to obtain
215
in Europe and much of the equip ment is being sent from America. Donations of material have been made by the S. S. White Company, the Ritter Dental Manufacturing Co., and the Buffalo Dental Mfg. Co. These donations have been so generous that they have aggregat ed over $1,000. More material is needed and further dona tions are hoped for. The hospital is equipped with about 110 beds and 12 dental chairs, besides a me chanical labratory and cuspidores with running water at each chair. Such men as Drs. T. W. Brophy, Edmund Kells and many others have interested themselves in this humane charity and soon there will be a call for volunteers, to serve in the hospital from members of the American profession. It must be remembered that this hos pital is peculiarly the project of the dental profession in America and is the first hospital in which it was arranged for surgeons and dentists to work on an absolutely equal foot ing. The response from Boston, New York, Wilmington, New Or leans and the Pacific coast, has al ready been substantial, Wilmington raising nearly $20,000 and Chicago, Buffalo and the Middle West are carrying on an enthusiastic cam paign. It is to the credit of the members of the National Dental Association that they have heard the cry of their afflicted fellows in Europe and have responded so no bly. Let us continue the work and reach the $100,000 mark. H erbert L. W h eeler.
V o l. 3
MAY,
1916
No. 2
E d it o r ia l D e p a r t m e n t . RECENT ARMY DENTAL LEG ISLATION. The Army Defense Bill just en acted into law has incorporated amongst its many other excellent provisions one granting improved status to the members of the den tal profession in the Army. While the legislation secured is not altogether satisfactory, it was the best that could be obtained at this time. The Legislative Com mittee and others worked indefat-
igably to secure the adoption of an equitable and at the same time conservative bill, but it was found necessary to concede some import ant features in order to procure the enactment of a dental provis ion that would grant at least some of the more important objects sought. The results accomplished, and they are important results, are due in large part, to three things: The justice of our cause, the largely enhanced strength of our reorgan-
212
ED ITO RIAL D EPARTM ENT.
ized Association, and the splendid spirit shown by the officers and members of the constituent socie ties. Without these three factors we are satisfied that nothing could have been accomplished. Congress in general is willing to do justice, but before enacting leg islation it demands that the parties seeking such legislation shall know what they desire and make their requests in accordance therewith, and thru our well organized Asso ciation and the centralized hand ling of the entire matter we have been able to co-ordinate our effort and eliminate the “ cross-purpose” efforts which have heretofore de feated our attempts to obtain sat isfactory legislation at the hands of Congress. This is but another evidence of the necessity of or ganization in the modern scheme of affairs. Just how the new dental enact ment will operate is not entirely clear in some respects as yet as the following telegram received from General Gorgas, Surgeon General of the Army, May 25, 1916, will show: “ Reference yours concerning Dental Corps, has not been authoratively construed by the law officers of the Government and until so constructed this office cannot formulate any opinion as to how it will operate ; will notify you of ruling as soon as made.” We believe, however, that the following results have been accom plished: that the contract status has been done away with and a commissioned status in the grade of first lieutenant for new appoint ees substituted therefor; that the discriminating and unjust status
213
whereby officers of the Dental Corps were required to remain per manently below the lowest ranking officers of the Medical Corps and Medical Reserve Corps, keeping them always at the bottom of the list of first lieutenants, has been corrected; we know that two addi tional grades have been added, that of captain and major; that a certain amount of promotion has been provided for; and that the number of dental surgeons in the Army has been increased in pro portion to the increase in the Army. Among the immediately appar ent unsatisfactory features of the enactment are : the inequitable amount of service required for pro motion to the grade of major; the limited number authorized for this grade; and the failure to provide for placing the detail of the admin istration of matters relating to the Dental Corps in the hands of a suitable member of this corps sta tioned in the Surgeon General’s office. •We must confess that we cannot understand the reason for the con ferees on this bill refusing to al low more than fifteen majors to the Dental Corps or permitting the lowering of the service require ment for the grade of major below twenty-four years when, at the same time, they agreed to require but twenty years service of mem bers of the Veterinary Corps, es tablished by this bill, for promotion to the grade of major with ALL members of this corps made eligi ble to this grade upon completion of the specified service. We are glad to see the members of the
214
TH E JOURNAL OF TH E NATION AL D EN TA L ASSOCIATION.
Veterinary Corps receive this con sideration at the hands of congress and believe that they are fully en titled to the recognition which has been accorded them, but, at the same time, this action on the part of the conferees serves to accentu ate the injustice of some of the features of the recent enactment as relating to the Dental Corps. We realize that in a bill dealing with as many matters as the Army Defense Bill does, it is a very diffi cult thing to keep out all injustices, but we hope that when the matter is again placed before congress the provisions of the section relating to the members of the dental pro fession will be so amended as to correct the unsatisfactory features of the present provision. In a discussion which took place on the floor of the United States Senate on April 14th, (Page 201 in this issue) with reference to the question of like status for offi cers of the Dental Corps with that of other officers of the Army a great many very friendly views were expressed by various sena tors concerning our profession, and this, together with the action taken by the Senate at the close of this discussion, upholding the conten tion of the profession for a proper status for dental officers, indicated very clearly that a majority of the members of the Senate entertained a very friendly feeling toward the dental profession and toward the effort which is being made to se cure better recognition for the dental officers in the Army. Among those taking part in the discussion were: Senator Pomerene, of Ohio, who introduced the
amendment under consideration and ably led the fight for its adop tion; Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire; Senator Overman, of North Carolina; Senator Thomas, of Colorado; Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts; Senator Cham berlain, of Oregon; Senator Borah, of Idaho; Senator Hardwick, of Georgia; Senator Clark, of Wyom ing ; Senator DuPont, of Delaware; Senator Hughes, of New Jersey; Senator Smith of Georgia; Sena tor Works, of California; Senator Myers, of Montana; and Senator Lane, of Oregon. Among all these there were but two who opposed the professional’s plea for equality — Senator Chamberlain, of Ore gon, and Senator DuPont, of Dela ware. While the matter did not come up as a separate issue in the House of Representatives it is known that the profession has a number of staunch supporters in this branch of Congress also, the most active of whom, probably, were Representatives Kahn, of Califor nia, and Hay, of Virginia. It is but due our friends in the Senate and House of Representa tives that we should express to them at this time our sincere ap preciation of their friendly inter est and .support in our behalf, and that we should use our best efforts to further the interests of these friends of the profession in every way possible. We wish to thank certain of the officers of the War Department for the courteous treatment received at their hands and the Surgeon General’s Office for courtesies shown and assistance rendered, al
ED ITO RIA L D EPARTM ENT.
so to express our very sincere ap preciation to the members of the medical profession in general for the fraternal and kindly spirit shown. Many members of the dental profession are also deserving of unstinted praise for their generous assistance in this matter and to them we also extend our thanks. Members of the profession, let us take hope from the results which have been accomplished and begin anew upon a continuance of the work with a spirit which will secure to our profession the fur ther recognition which will place the dental profession in the posi tion in the Public Service to which it is rightfully entitled. AMERICAN DENTAL HOSPITAL IN PARIS. The work of the members of the dental profession in raising funds for the establishing of the “ Special American Hospital in Paris for Wounds of the Face and Jaw” de serves special mention. Start ing in November with the Organi zation of special committees in va rious cities the response has been especially praiseworthy. Nearly $40,000 has been raised to date and the hospital is an accomplish ed fact. The French government has given a building on Avenue Wagram and the work of equip ping is going on as rapidly as pos sible. Supplies are hard to obtain
215
in Europe and much of the equip ment is being sent from America. Donations of material have been made by the S. S. White Company, the Ritter Dental Manufacturing Co., and the Buffalo Dental Mfg. Co. These donations have been so generous that they have aggregat ed over $1,000. More material is needed and further dona tions are hoped for. The hospital is equipped with about 110 beds and 12 dental chairs, besides a me chanical labratory and cuspidores with running water at each chair. Such men as Drs. T. W. Brophy, Edmund Kells and many others have interested themselves in this humane charity and soon there will be a call for volunteers, to serve in the hospital from members of the American profession. It must be remembered that this hos pital is peculiarly the project of the dental profession in America and is the first hospital in which it was arranged for surgeons and dentists to work on an absolutely equal foot ing. The response from Boston, New York, Wilmington, New Or leans and the Pacific coast, has al ready been substantial, Wilmington raising nearly $20,000 and Chicago, Buffalo and the Middle West are carrying on an enthusiastic cam paign. It is to the credit of the members of the National Dental Association that they have heard the cry of their afflicted fellows in Europe and have responded so no bly. Let us continue the work and reach the $100,000 mark. H erbert L. W h eeler.