NORTH CAROLINA
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
RALEIGH

May 22, 1918.

His Excellency T. W. Bickett,
Governor of North Carolina,
Raleigh, N.C.

My dear Governor Bickett:

I very deeply appreciate your official interest in connection with my application for a commission in the Medical Reserve Corps of the army; moreover, I am in sympathy with the official action that you have taken in the matter.

The question with me is not one of where I can render the most service; it is a question of personal responsibility that can be discharged only in one way - by leaving it to the Surgeon General of the Army to decide where my post of duty is under the circumstances. I think I realize my obligations to the State, but at the same time it seems to me that the duty of taking care of my own character and reputation takes precedence over my civilian duties. I am enclosing herewith copy of a letter that I have just written Colonel Miller, of General Gorgas’ Staff.

I hope that I can arrange with you, during the next three or four days, for a conference dealing with the general principle of maintaining state health organizations and at the same time taking care of the needs of the army for medical officers. A movement is already on foot that will correlate the state health work and the medical needs of the army and take care of both.

I am, with sincere appreciation for your interest in this matter and with highest esteem,

Very respectfully yours,

W. S Rankin
Secretary.

r.r