Miles H. Robinson v. R. W. Stevens

Appellant, a practicing physician at Walla Walla, Washington, was expelled from membership in the local medical society on complaint of the grievance committee of the physicians at Walla Walla. Upon his appeal to the American Medical Association he was ordered reinstated on procedural grounds. He then brought suit for damages against all the physicians who had had any connection with his expulsion and against the local, state, and national medical societies and several hospitals, alleging that they had conspired to injure him and his reputation.

The suit was tried before the court (Judge Driver) sitting without a jury. The trial was extensive, 21 witnesses testifying in person and six by deposition. On the conclusion of the case for the complainant the court found for the defendants on the ground that no showing of bad faith on their part had been made out, and that no conspiracy among them existed as charged by the complainant. Findings of fact and conclusions of law were made, and the judge in an extensive memorandum opinion developed the grounds of his decision. This appeal followed.

On the trial below appellant was represented by counsel; here he has chosen to act as his own…