Minneapolis, Minn., July 28, 1899.
To the Editor
—An editorial in the Journal (July 22, p. 234), speaking of a national department of health, refers to the endorsement of such by several medical bodies—the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Association, and the Conference of State Boards of Health. In connection with the latter association, it said "recommended with practical unanimity—three delegates not voting." This is a misrepresentation. The question brought to a vote at the Conference at Richmond was not, "Shall we have a national board of health?" but "Shall we endorse the Spooner bill?" Quite a different proposition. I was one of those who put myself on record as not voting, for the motion was so worded that one voting in the negative was made to appear to be voting against a national board of health. I was not willing to vote to endorse the Spooner bill.