Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-16
AT THE DISTRICT BUILDING
Reports Upon Dairy Conditions, With
Recommendations.
REPLY TO RECENT CRITICISM
Suggested Appointment Of Inspectors
With Power to Temporarily sus-
pend Licenses-Other Matters.

The fourth meeting of the special milk
commission appointed by the District Com
missIoners to consider means OF better
ing the local milk supply from a sanitary
view point was held in the board room
of the District building yesterday after
noon. The meeting was largely attended,
and proved to be one of the most I'M
portant yet held by the commission. Two
reports upon dairy conditions, with recon-
menda lions for remedying them, were sub
mitted by subcommittee. and answer
was read to the recent criticism of the
work of the commission made by f. R
Homer, LEGAL milk dealer who termed the
members of the commission "alarmists and
theorists
In the various reports submitted the
alleged -unclean methods of the dairymen
were assailed in bitter tones. The cost of
better and purer milk was also considered
The reply 10 Mir. Horners criticism was
signed by DIR. G.. Nj. kober, Emile Beriner
DR.. q. L. Magruder, DR.. c.. F. Mason, Dr.
A. ID. Melvin, DR.. j. R. Mohler, DIR. NJ. ].
Rosenau, Col. r. G. Smith and +. H. Web
ster, who recommended a number of mme-
date safeguards until the needed reforms
IN GARY methods are accomplished.
Substance of Reply.
The reply in part IS as follows:
The committee believes that Mr. Horner
is perfectly honest and conscientious in his
views and doubtless has the best interests
of the community at heart. On the other
hand the consumer of milk and especially
the innocent and helpless babes have some
rights, and public health demands that the
facts concerning milk in relation to disease
should be presented and remedial steps
taken at the earliest possible opportunity
1t Is remarkable fact that every at
tempt to improve the purity of this invalua-
BILE article of food should be promptly op-
posed by the milk industry, which consti-
tutes strong spoke In the commercial
wheel and evidently considers 1t meddle-
some Interference with their trade These
men evidently do not know, and cannot
know, that such hydra-headed diseases as
cholera infantum. scarlet fever and diph-
liberia have been disseminated In the milk
supply; that typhoid fever epidemics have
the vehicle OF the germs Of tuberculosis
and other infectious diseases and morbif1c
agents.
Pure natural milk can only be secured
at diaries with sanitary buildings, pure
water supply, healthy, well-fed and WELL
cared-for cows, a well-equipped and we'll
kept milk room, provisions for thorough
cleanliness, intelligent and conscientious
people in charge and clean methods
throughout"
To Promote Purity Of Product
Honorable men will not object to regula-
lions calculated to promote the purity Of
their product and the health Of their GUS
toners. and as many Of the most serious
faults In the milk business are the result of
ignorance rather than Of intentional neglect,
the difficulties will be materially lessened
by proper education and trade competition.
At all events, the dairyman will conclude in
the end that 1t Is money in his pocket to
comply with requirements which at present
may appear to him the outcome Of exag-
Of
theorists.
The remainder of the reply consisted Of a
scientific and technical discussion Of the
sanitation of the milk supply and care Of
dairy farms and depots, a number of i'm
mediate remedies being suggested.
By Administrative Committee.
report from the administrative commit
tee Of the commission, of which w. F.
Mattingly is chairman. was adopted. The
committee recommended that provision be
made for the appointment of inspectors in
the proportion of at least one for every 100
farms. and that the inspectors be empow-
cred to suspend summarily for a period of
not to exceed forty-eight hours any license
to produce or sell milk in the District.
The other report submitted was by the
committee appointed to consider the milk
question from the commercial aspect
Looking at the matter from the stand
point OF the producer" the committee said,
I'VE are convinced that the cost will be in
creased cents to cents per gallon If IT
is necessary to deliver the milk to the rail-
roads at less than 30 degrees. In view of
the increased cost of feed and labor-about
10 per cent-there will be necessary in
creased cost to the consumer. especially If
1t Is contemplated to require that all herds
submit to the tuberculine test.
I'VE recommend thorough cooling at the
farm at the time Of milking. If the animal
heat Is taken out of the milk Immediately
of for mil
planned of will be eliminated"
Reference was also made to communica
tons with railroads as to refrigerator serv
ice.