The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-23
TO DRAW LINE
ON MILK DEALERS
Commissioners Favor Two
Separate Bills.
TO REGULATE PRODUCTION
Presence of Unfit Cow on Farm Prima
Facie Evidence That Her
Milk Is Sold.
no REGULATE PRODUCTION

report on the bill recently intro
duced in the Senate by Mr. Stewart.
providing for new milk inspection
force, and for new requirements respect
ing the milk supply, has been drafted
by the District Health officer and APP
proved by the Commissioners.
The Commissioners recommend that
two separate bills be introduced as sub
stitutes FOR the single bill offered by
Senator Stewart. I'm order that the two
important subjects may receive special
legislation. and that one shall not be
affected by the fate Of the other.
In explaining the change. DR.. Wood
ward. the Health officer. says:
This bill is apparently designed to
accomplish two results first. to
strengthen the inspection force Of the
Health Department in so far as it has
to do with the inspection of dairy pro-
ducts; second. to remove certain am
biguities and to supply certain dehcien-
cies in the law now in force.
Involves Appropriation.
Those provisions of the bill which
are designed to strengthen the inspec-
tion force may be considered and en-
acted Independently of the others with
out in any way detracting from their
merits. and the value of those which
relate TO the sanitary aspects of the milk
trade. are not dependent on an increase
in the inspection force. On the other
hand, the strengthening of the inspection
force involves an appropriation, which
might be open to objection on account
OF the condition of the District finances.
and an attack arising even from that
source would jeOpardize those features
OF the bill which could be enacted with
CUT any necessity for an appropriation.
Furthermore. the general features of
the bill may be attacked by representa-
lives OF interests which would not be
opposed to an Increase IN the inspection
force and thus. possibly, legislation look
ing toward such an increase would be
1eopardtzed when, If il We're being con-
sidered alone. il might not be. For
these reasons | believe that the llkeli-
mood OF securing the needed legislation
looking toward the improvement of the
milk supply in this District would be
increased II II were submitted in the
form of two bills-cne regulating the
organization of the inspection force OF
the Health Department with reference
to the sanitary supervision OF dairy pro-
ducts. the other regulating the produc-
ton and sale of milk and cream gener-
ally
To Regulate Production.
The proposed bill to regulate the pro-
duction OF milk and cream in and for
the District Of Columbia embodies such
legislation as is needed TO secure a thor
oughly satisfactory control Of the sani-
tary features Of the milk business Elk
listing laws have been embodied I'm it.
modified wherever it has seemed proper.
and such new legislation. has been. added
as has been dictated by experience in
the enforcement OF the law now in
force"
The proposed bill will make the pres
ence on a dairy farm of a COW which is
in such condition as TO render her milk
unfit for sale prima facie evidence that
her milk is being sold. 1t will however.
make ignorance Of the condition of such
COW a legal defense against any
charge which may be brought IL a
knowledge of her condition could not
have been obtained by due diligence.