To Dr. Porter from Dr. Flick.
Philadelphia,
Nov. 12, 1903
My dear Dr. Porter:
Your letter of 10th inst. as also your reprint to hand. I thank you very much for sending me the reprint which I will read with much pleasure.
In regard to the rival Congresses on Tuberculosis, namely that of Clark Bell and that of Dr. Lewis of New York, I am personally not willing to associate myself with either as things stand now. The Congresses that have been held up to the present time have been a discredit to our country and to the medical profession as far as I am able to judge those which are being proposed are not much better. Unfortunately the workers on tuberculosis have been ignored in this matter, and men who have done work credible to our country and whose names mean something in the cause have out of self respect been forced to keep aloof. For the present I think the best thing to do is to look on until the rival factions are ready to withdraw. I shall be glad to keep you posted in matters. Sometime in the future the Phipps Institute may wish to appoint corresponding members in different parts of the country. If so, I will probably want to have you come in with us and cooperate with us in our work.
Yours truly,
Lawrence F. Flick.