The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-22
FOR MILK INSPECTION
THE ORDINANCE PASSES THE
BOARD OF ALDERMEN AFT
Err DISCUSSION
DAIRYMEN, HOWEVER, OBJECT

Attorney Townley Says the Fact
That a Fee for the Work Ii
Charged Makes the Law Uncon-
stitutionaI-HeaIth Commissions
er Ohage Declares the Minneap-
oils Inspection Is a Farce.
The board of aldermen at an adjourned
meeting last night passed the milk in
spection ordinance by a vote of to 2,
Messrs. Bloomquist and Murphy voting
against it, and, Aid. Shepard being absent
for his signature, and will, it IL under
stod, be quickly approved. The dairymen
will fight the ordinance, as John L. Town
ley. who appeared in their interests last
night, took the ground that the measure
was unconstitutional in that the legisla-
ture strictly provided in the law of 1895,
that no fee should be charged for in
spection.
The principal objection Of the dairymen
seems to be to the provision that gives
the health department the power to con-
denim cows which are found to have
tuberculosis. One of the dairymen ques-
toned Health Commissioner Ohage as to
this point, and took the ground that as
cows were worth about $50 each the pub
lie should pay the cost of the animals
condemned
The council chamber was crowded, there
being about 100 dairymen present. Mrs.
Conde Hanlin, president of the Women's
Civic league, accompanied by a delega-
tion from that organization, occupied
seats inside the rail. and there was a
sprinkling of physicians who are interest
ed in the ordinance becoming law.
Aid. Murphy moved reference of the
ordinance to the committee on streets,
which was seconded by Aid. Bloomquist.
This was voted down. and the board went
into the committee of the whole.
Aid. Bell wanted the animal inspection
fee cut from 30 to Is cents.
Health Commissioner Ohage said. II the
fee was cut to Is cents the aldermen might
just as we'll kill the ordinance.
+ In answer to; questions by Aid. Kenny,
the health commissioner said the enforce
ment of the ordinance would take about
seven inspectors, and the cost would be in
the neighborhoods of $1,000 per year, there
being something like 1000 cows to be in
spected.
John L. Townley, representing the
dairymen, said there was no objection to
any of the provisions of the ordinance ex-
cept the one charging so cents per head
for annual inspection. The city had the
power, under chapter 203 Of the General
Laws, passed In 1895 to inspect, but was
not given power to charge fee, in fact,
the law distinctly said no fee should be
charged. The city had no right to levy
a tax which went direct to the city treas
ury for the support of any particular de-
partment of the government.
Tho n 1I,
ject to a 25-cent fee, although the charg-
ing Of this amount was clearly illegal.
Corporation Attorney Markham read
the same section, as Mr.. Townley had
called attention to and claimed that un-
der his construction the council was ak
thorized to charge a fee for inspection,
but no license fee for those who sold
milk. The revenues Of the city were in
such condition that If the ordinance
was passed without an inspection fee it
would be just as well to tear 1t up. The
law, he claimed, gave the city the right
to exact a reasonable fee for inspection
and so cents was reasonable.
Health Commissioner Ohage said the
ordinance was necessary. For twenty
five years he had been in a position to
watch the disease Of consumption. The
number Of victims of the disease In this
city were between 800 and 600 annually
There was no such thing as consumption
being an hereditary diease It was a
contagious disease and the germ grew
and spread through milk and meat The
ordinance had been indorsed by the med
ical society and physicians and was in
the interests of the public health. In
Minneapolis similar ordinance was in
force, but no fee was charged, and he
stated that the inspection was a farce.
The question for the council to decide
was which was the most valuable, the
lives Of children and families or the cows
OF the datrymen. The principal objection
by the da1rymen was that the passage
OF the ordinance would result in the con-
demn1ng Of the diseased cows
+ Dairyman L. Olson said it had been
stated by one OF the veterinary surgeons
In the city that 10 per cent of the cows
were afflicted with consumption If this
was so, 1t meant loss of SIS, 900 to the
da1rymen and this should be paid by the
public, as the law was in the interest of
the public
Aid. Bell withdrew his amendment, and
the committee rose and then passed the
ordnance with but two dissenting votes.
resolution by Aid. Reeves providing
Tor the appointment Of Aids. Kenny.
Bantz and Donahower and Assemblymen
Benson, Warren and Nelson as a com
mittee to examine and report as to mar
ket site was passed. The committee will
work under the new law recently passed
by the legislature, which provides for
the condemnation of a site before It is
purchased by the council
The ordinance fixing the license cf
pawnbrokers and secondhand stores at
800, where the amount of business does
not exceed $4,000 per year; 5000 where the
business exceeds $4,000 and is less than
$4,000, and $500 where the business is
over $4,000, was passed without opposi
ton. The ordinance gives the police ad-
oitionai powers as to the supervision and
regulation of the business of pewnhroL-
ers and secondhand dealers. 1t will 90
TO the mayor for his signature today.