The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-17
Dairymen Say if the Order is
Passed it Will Ruin the
Business.
STANDARD OF PURITY RAISED.
Milkmen Will be Allowed Far Too
Much Latitude Under the Pro.
posed Law.


Francisco are not satisfied with the way
the Health and Police Committee are
handling the proposed milk ordinance.
They say there is altogether too much de-
lay, and in consequence of this certain
| milkmen are securing more than their
rightful share OF custom, that is to say,
they are selling skim milk for the pure
article and at such ridiculously low figures
as to defy competition.
In October last, when Mr.. Dockery be-
gan his eventful crusade against the yend.
ers of adulterated milk, this question of
skim milk came up. Some claimed that
the sale could not be prohibited legally,
while others held that when the cream
was extracted it did not come up to the
requirements of the pure food law and
consequently was adulterated. The Board
of Health met. and decided that milk
must only be offered for sale in its original
state but those dairymen who had large
skim milk trade were allowed until No
vember to arrange for the delivery of the
pure article. Some of the milkmen needed
the order but others bid defiance to the
Board of Health, Mr.. Dockery or any one
else who should attempt to interfere with
their skim-milk business. Their ranks
have been augmented by other venture
some spirits, though this increase is not
apparently taken from the Milkmen's AS
SOClatlon.
The majority of the mem bers of that or
ganization are unalterably opposed to it's
sale, even under the provisions of the new
ordinance.
The secretary of the association said
yesterday:
think 1t can be safely said that no matter
how carefully Mr.. Dockery does his work the
dishonest dairyman will find some means of
beating him. All the large dealers OF San
Francisco are opposed to the sale of skim milk
in any form, and if the proposed ordinance
passes, mean that particular feature. many
abuses will be inaugurated.
The new ordinance proposes, among
other things, that each milk-producer or
vendor must obtain a license from the
Board of Health, and in addition to this
state in a written application the source
Or sources from which the milk is received
as well as the kind and quality OF food
given the cows. These licenses are renew
able from year to year, but only on an
application being filed setting forth the
facts above mentioned. In regard to the
sale of skim milk, section 10 of the pro
posed ordinance says:
1t shall be unlawful for any person or persons,
firm corporation within the limits of the
City ana County OF San Francisco, to sell or
offer for sale, distribute, exchange, deliver,
or have in his or its possession, with intent to
sell, offer or expose for sale, distribute, eI-
change or deliver, any SKINNED milk or milk
from which the cream has been distracted. an
less the cans or vessels containing such
skinned milk shall be plainly marked with
stripe of green color of not less than three
inches in wild IN next below the neck of such can
or vessel containing such SKINNED milk, and
in addition thereto there shall be a sign upon
such con or vessel. plainly apparent thereon,
bearing the words ''Skimmed Milk, )" and in ad-
dition thereto there shall be displayed from
the wagon or vehicle bearing such SKINNED
milk sign, plainly apparent, made up accord
ing TO the requirements of the Board of Health
of the City and County of San Francisco, clearly
indicating that such IS skinned milk, and
it shall be unlawful for such SKINNED milk to be
borne or carried on wagon or vehicle on which
pure milk is being borne or carried at the
same time.
One of the most important features in
the ordinance is the change in the standard
of pure milk. When Dockery first began
his work the City was without a standard,
but the Board OF Health overcame this by
declaring that milk to be pure must not
less than II per cent of solids, with 3 per
cent or more of butter fat. This last item
in the new order has been changed to read
is per cent. This, with the skim
milk section made law, will
give dishonest dairymen. SO it is
claimed, ample opportunity to beat
Mr.. Dockery. Men of this calIber will
extract a certain amount Of cream-say
enough to bring the butter fat to only
per cent. The milk will be placed on
skim-milk wagon, but sold as a pure ar
ticle. The big dairymen, who are opposed
to the sale OF skim milk in any form,
argue that Mr. Dockery will not have time
to stop every skim and pure milk wagon,
and that venturesome dealers Will not
hesitate to take advantage of this.
meeting will be called this week to discuss
the situation. and it is probable that de-
ternlined protest will be entered concern
ing this particular section of the new
ordinance.