Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-30
PROBE Of DAIRY GOODS
Secretary Wilson Plans Thoro
| Investigation Of Interstate
Shipments
MEDIUMS OF CARRYING DISEASE
Secretary of Agriculture to Ask Con-
gress for Cash and Authority to In
vestieate Sanitary conditions-But-
ter and Cheese and Disease Germs.

Washington, Sept 30.-Secretar.
Wilson will ask congress for authorit.
to make an investigation into the san,
itary conditions of dairy products IL
is granted. the department of agricul-
ture will undoubtedly go to the bottom
of this question and will throw needed
light on the character of the milk
cream. butter, cheese and other dair,
products in common use in the states
and territories
Ordinarily, milk and cream are the
dairy products spoken of as dangerous
in their capacity for the carrying OF
the germs of tuberculosis, typhoid
scarlet fever, dphtheria. and other
communicable disease. But other dairy
products are as dangerous Butter and
cheese are excellent media for carry
ing disease germs from place to place
and often do so, and the only safety in
dairy products in general is in the OBJ
servances of careful sanitation in the
handling of all dairy cattle and in all
phases of the dairying business.
Something has already been done by
the department of agriculture by way
of inquiry into the sanitary state of
milk and cream supplies. The chief
thing accomplished by the department
of agriculture has been the investiga-
ton into the sanitary condition of milk
and cream sold in the District of Co
lumbia. This investigation was an ex-
haus:ive one and extended not only
to the. condition of daires but into the
health of the cows, the water they
We're allowed to drink, and the condi-
tons under which they We're kept on
the farms. in Maryland and Virginia.
The methods of delivery of milk and
cream We're studied. with reference
among other things to the cleanliness
and healthfulness of employees and the
condition of milk bottles used by the
dairymen.
Also. something has been done by
way of inquiry into conditions of dairy
products under the pure food law, and
some insight into these conditions has
also been gained thru meat inspection.
But what Secretary Wilson wants is
a thorough, nation-Wid investigation
TO the condition of dairy products In
order that if necessary steps can be
taken by the department to protect the
public health from disease-laden milk.
cream, butter. cheese and the like. The
pure food law gives the government
large authority over food products in
general and in case an investigation
showed bad conditions in the dairy in
dustry. it may be the pure food law
would give sufficient authority to COR
rect them. but it is probable some
amendments to the law giving it more
specific application to keeping dairy
products pure would come about. At
any rate, what Secretary Wilson wants
now is full authority to probe into the
sanitary conditions of the country's
milk supply and dairy products supply
and then, if bad conditions are found,
there will probably be little trouble in
getting congress to legislate to correct
abuses, if the Pure food law is not ade-
quate
Secretary Wilson. if congress con-
sents. will have veterinarians examine
into the condition of dairy cattle in a
large number of places, how they are
kept. what are their surroundings,
whether they drink germ laden water
and whether they have tuberculosis or
other diseases. Conditions in cream
cries. diaries, on farms, in stores where
dairy products are sold. whether dairy
employees are free from disease and like
matters will be examined into over a
wide area and in enough localities to
afford information representative of
conditions the country over.
The revelations concerning condi-
tons in the District of Columbia We're
widespread Interstate Investigation
would disclose alarming revelations It
is well known that there is tendency
toward increased prevalence of tuber-
culosis among dairy cattle and there
is reason to believe that all too often
the dairy interests are careless Of what
happens to the public health so long
as they get market for their pro-
ducts. 1t is pointed out that if the ma
tional government goes into the condt-
ton Of dairy products in interstate
commerce. state and municipal author
tiles will be impel1ed to greater activ-
ity in investigating the dairy products
that are handled within state lines and
in taking measures strictly to prevent
spread Of disease thru dairy products.
Secretary Wilson is taking a per-
sonal interest in the dairy products
inquiry. He believes congress should
authorize thorough investigation. He
was shocked at the revelations COM
corning some OF the practices in the
district and with reference to the care
lesSneSs OF some Of he men who sup
ply milk and cream 10 Washington He
will not ask congress for {, large sum
OF money II he is given authority for
the fnVestisa zion, he VIII utilize as far
as possible the services Of the bureau
OF chemistry as now organized, the
pure food inspectors. and the veter
inarians and inspectors employed in
carrying out the meat inspection law
Such assistance can be had from these
sources that the cost of the proposed
will not be burdensome