St. Paul Recorder

Medical Group Votes
90-6 in Second Try
To Drop Negro Bar

St. Louis - (ANP) — The St. Louis County Medical society finally made up its mind here last week and voted about 90-6 to admit Negro physicians to membership. The exact number voting was not determined, but reports were that the affirmative side numbered between 90 to 100 against about six opposing.

Last February, the society instructed its six delegates to the March convention of the state association to work for elimination of racial discrimination. This move won by a unanimous vote of the 60 doctors present. However, the county society later changed its mind and declined to go along. On Dec. 14, it voted 35-25 for the retention of the bar against Negroes.

In its January meeting, the society again reversed itself. The group has more than 250 members. There was a large turnout for the meeting. with 129 signing the attendance roster. and even more present for the session in the county health center.

The voting was on the deletion of the word "white" from the constitutional provision on membership qualifications, a matter which has been approved by the Missouri State Medical association. The county group had already admitted two Negro physicians.