Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-07
GIVES POWER TO REGULATE
includes Cold Storage Plants Where
Food Products Are Sold.
ALSO APPLIES TO LAuNDRIEs
Measure Prepared by Corporation
Counsel After Consultation With
the Health ohacer.

to make regulations for the better control
OF markets. cold storage plants and all
other places where food products are sold
In the District, as well as aundries and
similar places. That the Commissioners
would seek this legislation was exclusively
told In yesterdays Star and although IL
comes closely following the startling allie
cations made before the House committee
OF agriculture last week by officials OF the
Department of Agriculture regarding the
alarming and insanitary conditions of these
places, 1t Is said this action Is in no way
the result of 1t, as the Commissioners have
for several months considered the step.
The necessity of such regulations was
pointed out to them by DR.. w. G. Wood
ward, health officer, 1t Is declared, at the
time he prepared similar bill to regulate
the slaughter houses and abattoirs
The bill was prepared by the corporation
counsel after being outlined by Dr. Wood
ward. With 1t the Commissioners sent a
letter In which they requested early action
upon 1t, as they consider its enactment I'm
perative at the present session. The bill
provides that the Commissioners be author
lied to make. modify and enforce such rea-
sonable regulations with respect to the To-
cation, construction and maintenance of
places where food, confectionery, drink or
any similar article or any substance that is
intended to enter into the composition
thereof. Is made or sold or kept or offered
for sale. The regulations are to be pro-
mulgated by the Commissioners as they
deem them necessary to procure the maxi
Of such food. confectionery, drink, article
or substance in a sanitary and cleanly
manner without nuisance.
These sales, according to this bill. shall
take place In buildings that are clean and
wholesome. and the Commissioners are en-
powered to af1lx to such regulations any
penalties they deem necessary to procure
compliance Herewith.
The SoCOnd SaCfinp Of
provides that the Commissioners be en-
powered with the same authority regarding
places where clothes are washed for hire.
This. washing shall be done in a sanitary
and cleanly manner and without nuisance.
and the clothes shall be returned In a clean
and wholesome condition. and the Commits
sioners are empowered to affix to such
regulations such penalties they may deem
necessary for the proper enforcement.
Regarded as Important.
The third section of the bill, which 10
looked upon as particularly important by
the Commissioners. reads as follows:
THAT the Commissioners of the District
Of Columbia be. and they are hereby. au-
thorized and empowered to require by the
regulations authorized by this act, as q
condition precedent to the establishment or
the maintenance OF places where food. con-
fectionery drink or any similar article. or
any substance that Is to enter into the
composition thereof. and Of places where
CkOLneS 6Le WdSueQ LOT IltTe, OF VI any par
ticular class or classes Of such places, that
the proprietors thereof procure from said
Commissioners licenses authorizing them
to establish or maintain, or both to estab-
lish and to maintain such places, such IL
censes to be renewable at such times as
said Commissioners may determine. and
where no license fee Is fixed and required
by law, such fees to be charged therefor az
the said Commissioners deem necessary to
cover the cost Of the issue of such licenses.
not however. to exceed IS annually in any
one case. And said Commissioners are
hereby authorized and empowered. after
due notice and hearing. to revoke for cause
any license aforesaid, such revocation to
be in addition to. and not In lieu of, any
penalty that may by any law or regulation
be provided"
Section provides that all acts and
parts OF acts in SO far as they are contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this
act be. and the same are hereby. repealed.
Explanatory Letter.
Accompanying this bill the Commission
ers sent q letter In which they explained
the necessity for such regulation, and in
which they urged its early enactment. They
said:
"The Commissioners already have author
ity to promulgate such police regulations
as are necessary for the protection OF
public health. But II the validity of
regulation promulgated under this authority
be attacked. the regulation cannot be sus-
tained unless reasonably Olrect connec-
ton between the requirements thereof and
the demands Of public health can be DEM
onstrated. Yet the demonstration of such
q connection L.. through advances in SAM
tary science. becoming. In many cases. In
creasingly difacalt. A piece Of meat. for
instance, soiled BY the dirt OF the street. Is
sterilized by cooking: and II becomes I'M
possible to show that the dirty meat does
harm. SO 1t would be. dtflcult to Demon
strate that the presence Of particles of
refuse under and about the counters OF
provision stores materially Affects the
wholesomeness Of the articles sold In such
establishments.
'In the matter OF washing clothes for
hire, It might not be dificult to show that
Il is unsafe to pass the clothing from TOO
many families through tho same wash
water when the wash water was below DOLL
ing point But, on the other hand. II would
probably be contended that public health
did not suffer because the ironing process
destroyed any infection that might occur.
And the washing OF clothing In dirty kitch-
ems and back yards. although admittedly
Objectionable could hardly be shown to en-
danger public health.
Notwithstanding all these facts. however.
there remains q very Arm conviction In the
minds of the public that food and clothing
should be kept clean. II not in the interest
of public health. then certainly In the inter-
oaf of ordinary public deceucy."