2. The interest of the American people in this problem is evidenced by the fact that this year they have already given voluntarily to the American Cancer Society more than $10,000,000. Approximately $2,500,000 of this sum will be available for research. 3. The $100,000,000 proposed in S. 1875 is none too much and probably will not be enough to accomplish the purpose of the bill. No one knows how much it will cost any more than the cost of the war or of the atomic bomb could have been predicted. If the purpose of this bill can be accomplished with this sum of money, it will be a bargain since cancer is now costing our Nation several times this amount annually. However, it would be wrong to lead the American people to believe that for this sum they can purchase freedom from fear of cancer. Money alone is not enough. Time will also be needed to expend this sum wisely as research personnel is limited and hence must be trained and facilities for research must be provided. However, the knowledge that such funds are available is necessary and will be of great benefit by attracting able young scientists into this difficult field of research. 4. Over-all strategic planning for the attack on cancer requires both shortterm and long-term plans. This bill provides for the research necessary for longterm planning which is so urgently needed. The short-term plan using the methods of treatment already available (surgery, X-ray, and radium) and requiring education of the public and the medical profession may be best accomplished by a voluntary health agency such as the American Cancer Society. This is so because the campaign in which the people participate is in itself an essential part of the educational process and the means of maintaining public support and interest for long-term planning. The part played by the American Cancer Society and its views on this bill are given in a letter to the Honorable Sol Bloom when testimony was given on bill H. R. 4502 before the Foreign Affairs Committee. (See enclosure 1.) 5. The research program of the American Cancer Society is now well developed on a national basis in collaboration with the Committee on Growth of the National Research Council. Further development of cancer research along these lines may well be the most desirable pattern for the future and provides an already existing organization for utilizing the funds authorized under S. 1875. (See enclosure 2.) 6. An amendment is recommended to cancer research bill, S. 1875, in order to provide the President with the assistance needed to accomplish the great task he is requested to undertake. (a) Cancer research involves such a wide scope of scientific activity and so many different scientific disciplines even beyond those ordinarily associated with medicine that no established department or division of the Government possesses the personnel or information to adequately cope with the problem or to insure a wise expenditure of funds. Cancer is the concern of all the people, and while doctors and scientists must shoulder the responsibilities for the technical problems, the citizens of our country have an equal responsibility in providing the funds and the necessary administrative leadership. (b) In view of the importance of the problem and the wide variety of interests involved it is recommended that the President be authorized to appoint a National Cancer Commission composed of scientists, doctors, and laymen who may select the key personnel and determine the policies and procedures necessary to accomplish the purposes of this bill. The Commission should have a full-time paid executive and such other assistance as is needed. (The Commission to consist of 14 members as follows: 1 full-time paid executive; 1 representative of the Veterans' Administration; 6 medical or scientific authorities who are outstanding in the United States as concerns the study of cancer and/or related fields; 6 outstanding citizens who have experience, interest and competence in scientific matters. (c) Since coordination of over-all planning is necessary, no funds made available under this act should be expended without the approval of this Commission. (d) An operating agency will be required through established governmental channels and it is recommended that the National Cancer Commission operate in the administrative framework of the United States Public Health Service, administratively responsible in the first instance to the Surgeon General. (e) Since the National Cancer Institute Act, S. 2067, section 3, provides for a National Advisory Cancer Council, it is necommended that the council be abolished and its functions transferred to the National Cancer Commission. It is further recommended that for purposes of coordination the National Cancer Institute would cooperate administratively under the general direction of the Cancer Commission. (f) Provisions of Public Law 410 in respect of cancer would be operated by the Surgeon General through the National Cancer Commission. The Commission would be empowered to establish new institutions or make appropriations to existing institutions in addition to the authority now contained in title 5 of Public Law 410. (g) The Commission would be authorized to give grants to existing scientific institutions or to create new ones in order to enable them to provide facilities— laboratory, clerical, and hospital-for purposes of cancer research. (h) The Commission would promote the coordination of researches conducted by the Cancer Institute and similar researches conducted by other agencies, organizations, or individuals-public and private ones in or outside of the United States drawing on knowledge and talent throughout the world. (i) The Commission would be authorized to employ scientific experts and consultants without reference to civil service either in or outside the United States. (j) The appropriation authorized under bill S. 1875 would be available until expended. Future estimates of appropriations for operation of the National Cancer Institute should be included in the estimate of the National Cancer Commission. Respectfully submitted. A. W. OUGHTERSON, M. D., MAY 21, 1946. Hon. SOL BLOOM, Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. BLOOM: Dr. Cornelius P. Rhoads testified before your committee on behalf of the American Cancer Society and, in conformity with his promise, we are addressing this letter to you to give our views in regard to bill, H. R. 4502, now pending before your committee. We attach hereto the list of officers and directors of the American Cancer Society (exhibit A) and will undertake briefly to give you the facts concerning the society and its operations. Last year the public responded to the society's appeal by contributing more than $4,000,000. Considerably more than half of this was retained by the individual States for education and service. The major portion of the money received by the national organization has been used for research. A total of $800 000 has been devoted to this purpose. Approximately $700,000 of this has been expended in specific grants. The attached report (exhibit B) describes the research program and the first grants made through it. The attached (exhibit C) lists additional research grants which have been made since the report was printed. The report explains how our research program is operating and the manner in which funds for research are allocated by the American Cancer Society. The society itself does not initiate grants for research. These are initiated by the Committee on Growth of the National Research Council, which is a branch of the National Academy of Sciences. Thus, the initiation and the recommendations of all research and fellowship grants are directed by this body and the eminent scientists from all fields who serve on its panels. The American Cancer Society can accept or reject any of the recommendations. In our first year under this arrangement, all of the recommendations have been accepted. This method of procedure, whereby the initiation and approval of all grants are in the hands of distinguished, independent scientists, was arrived at after long study. We believe this method constitutes the soundest pattern for the expenditure of similar funds, whether from private sources or from Government. In the field of education, the society has built up an organization, known as the field army, of more than 600,000, a large proportion of them women. This group is developing into the greatest peactime Army our Nation has ever known. They conduct year-round activities to educate the public with regard to the importance of recognizing the danger signals of cancer and seeking early medical aid. This is of the greatest importance. From 30 to 50 percent of all cancer deaths can be prevented if people are aroused to the threat of cancer and the importance of seeking aid in time. The campaign, which the society conducts annually to raise money, in itself is the greatest contribution that can be made to cancer education. The campaigns last year and this year have done more to awaken and to educate possible cancer victims than could have been done through any other means. In virtually every city and hamlet of the Nation, citizens have been aroused to work for this cause. Until the battle against cancer is finally won, this voluntary effort by the people themselves is absolutely essential. In every State the society has an independently organized division, which not only conducts educational activities but also promotes better facilities for cancer patients. Up to this year, the society has not had sufficient funds for this work. That is why we increased our 1946 goal to $12,000,000. Sixty percent of this money will be retained in the States. It will be used for the establishment of prevention clinics, where people may go to determine whether they are free of cancer's danger signals. If not, they are directed to diagnostic and treatment clinics. Additional support is also going to these institutions from this year's funds. Money is also being used for refresher courses and other activities designed to bring the practicing physician abreast of the latest adcances in in cancer work. The society recognizes that one of the things we need most in the fight against cancer is more able doctors, both in practice and in research. Indications are that we will approach, if not exceed, this year's goal of $12,000,000. We are virtually certain of being able to devote at least $2,500,000 from this year's funds to research, and we hope much more. With this background, we briefly summarize our reactions to bill H. R. 4502, as follows: 1. The American Cancer Society endorses the principle of making available Federal funds for the support of cancer research. However, the society cannot pass upon the application of this principle until the detailed bill is drawn. In aiding to that end the officers of the society would be happy to be called on for their experience. Experience has taught us that the mere expenditure of sums does not in itself bring us, either in research or in service, to the solution of the grave problems entailed in cancer. While comparatively large sums are imperative if this dread scourge is to be properly fought, large sums spent without the proper planning that long experience and expert scientific judgment can give may fail to accomplish what considerably smaller sums rightly planned can accomplish. 2. The American Cancer Society recommends that Federal funds made available for cancer research under this bill be expended under the direction of a commission composed of outstanding scientists and laymen appointed by the President. We urge that this commission be composed of one representative each from the Army, Navy, Public Health Service, and Veterans' Administration and five representatives from private agencies distinguished for their contributions to cancer research. 3. One of the general purposes of the commission might be ultimately to coordinate private and public cancer research so as to prevent duplication of effort and expenditure in the field of research. 4. The American Cancer Society recommends that the Federal funds for cancer research be primarily expended in the support and enlargement of existing public and private institutions for cancer research, as well as in the possible creation of needed new institutions. 5. As covered in this letter, the American Cancer Society invites attention to the existing organization created by contract between the society and the National Academy of Sciences, by which there has been organized a committee of distinguished scientists under the National Research Council, which has mobilized 90 eminent specialists in various fields to coordinate, initiate, and guide the support of cancer research in the Nation's most outstanding institutions. America is cancer conscious. The American Cancer Society established that beachhead. The real fight is ahead. We respectfully request that this letter be entered into the record as testimony relative to H. R. 4502. Respectfully, FRANK E. ADAIR, President. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, INC., 350 Fifth Avenue, New York City President: Frank E. Adair, M. D. OFFICERS Vice president: C. C. Nesselrode, M. D. Honorary chairman of the board: Eric A. Johnston. Chairman of the board: Theodore R. Gamble. Vice chairman of the board: Elmer H. Bobst. Chairman of the executive committee: James S. Adams. Treasurer: Henry C. Von Elm. Secretary: Charles D. Hilles, Jr. Chairman of medical and scientific committee: Edwin P. Lehman, M. D. Chairman of medical and scientific executive committee: Edwin P. Lehman, M. D. Medical and scientific director and executive vice president: A. W. Oughterson, M. D. Business director: Edwin J. MacEwan. National commander, field army: Harold V. Milligan. Comptroller: E. Tyson Matlack. Assistant secretary: Harry A. Murphy. Assistant treasurer: M. Ray Coffman. Frank E. Adair, M. D., 75 East 71 Street, New York 21, N. Y. A. Raymond Dochez, M. D., Columbia University College of Physicians and Edwin P. Lehman, M. D., University of Virginia Hospital, Charlottesville, Va. Charles Lund, M. D., Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass. Harry M. Nelson, M. D., 1067 Fisher Building, Detroit 2, Mich. Alton Ochsner, M. D., Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, La. Eugene P. Pendergrass, M. D., 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pa. George M. Smith, M. D., Pine Orchard, Conn. Donald V. Trueblood, M. D., 625 Medical-Dental Building, Seattle, Wash. Edwin B. Wilson, Ph. D., Harvard University, School of Public Health, 55 Shattuck Street, Boston 15, Mass. Regional directors: Region No. 1: James Raglan Miller, M. D., 179 Allyn Street, Hartford, Conn. Region No. 2: Zoe A. Johnston, M. D., 601 Jenkins Building, Pittsburgh, Pa. J. Ross Hunter, M. D., 1117 Virginia Terrace, East Charleston, W. Va. Region No. 3: Guy Aud, M. D., 321 West Broadway, Louisville, Ky. Herbert Acuff, M. D., 603 West Main Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn. Region No. 4: W. S. Bump, M. D., Rhinelander, Wis. William A. O'Brien, M. D., University of Minnesota Hospital, Minneapolis, Minn. Region No. 5: L. W. Larson, M. D., 221 Fifth Street, Bismarck, N. Dak. A. M. Popma, M. D., 220 North First Street, Boise, Idaho. Region No. 6: W. W. Haggart, M. D., 1236 Republic Building, Denver, Colo. Everett S. Lain, M. D., 705 Medical Arts Building, Oklahoma City, Okla. Lay Directors at large: James S. Adams, president, Standard Brands, Inc., 595 Madison Avenue, New York City. Winthrop W. Aldrich, chairman of the board, Chase National Bank, 18 Pine Street, New York City. Elmer H. Bost, president, William R. Warner Co., Inc., 113 West Eighteenth Street, New York City. General William J. Donovan, 2 Wall Street, New York City. Thomas E. Braniff, president, Braniff Airlines, Dallas, Tex. Emerson Foote, president, Foote, Cone & Belding, 247 Park Avenue, New York City. Theodore R. Gamble, Care of Twentieth Century Fox, 626 South West Fourth Avenue, Portland, Oreg. Charles D. Hilles, Jr., vice president, International Telephone & Telegraph Corp., 67 Broad Street, New York City. Eric A. Johnston, president, Motion Picture Association of America, Inc.. 1600 I Street, Washington, D. C. Gen. John Reed Kilpatrick, president, Madison Square Garden Corp., 307 West Forty-ninth Street, New York City. Albert D. Lasker, 3313 Chrysler Building, New York City. Charles P. Skouras, Fox West Coast Theaters, 1609 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Anna Rosenberg, chairman, New York City Advisory Commission on Veterans, 500 Park Avenue, New York City. Henry C. Von Elm, vice chairman of the board, Manufacturers Trust Co., 55 Broad Street, New York City. Regional directors: Region No. 1: Mrs. LaFell Dickinson, Keene, N. H. Henry Dexter Sharpe, president, Browne & Sharpe, Providence, R. I. Region No. 2: George E. Stringfellow, vice president, Thomas A. Edison Co., West Adolph Rydgren, president, Continental American Insurance Co., Wil- Region No. 3: Hugh Comer, president, Avondale Mills, Sylacauga, Ala. Robert W. Woodruff, chairman, Coca-Cola Co., 101 West Tenth Street, Region No. 4: William H. Ball, Ball Bros., Muncie, Ind. J. V. Stuart, Michigan National Bank, Grand Rapids, Mich. Region No. 5: Francis Lambert, Room 815, Couch Building, Portland, Oreg. Mrs. R. E. Mosiman, 511 Medical Arts Building., Seattle 1, Wash. Walter Bimson, president, Valley National Bank, Phoenix, Ariz. Region No. 7: William Sheppard, assistant to president, Arkansas Power & Light Co., A. P. Green, Mexico, Mo. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE James S. Adams, chairman. Frank E Adair, M. D., 75 East 71st Street, New York 21, N. Y. James S. Adams, president, Standard Brands, Inc., 595 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. Elmer H. Bobst, president, William R. Warner Co. Inc., 113 West 18th Street, New York 11, N. Y. Gen. William J. Donovan, 2 Wall Street, New York, N. Y. Emerson Foote, president, Foote, Cone & Belding, 247 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y. |