New-York tribune., 1908-02-23
OYSTERS And TYPHOID.
Dealers FaC0r Bill to Investigate
Condition of RiUer Beds.

The new oysterrlen's association which was
Gently formed in this city is about TO open an
aggressive campaign in defence OF the good name
Of the oyster as az article OF food. Dealers from
Portland. Me, TO San Francisco are hocking to
New York TO attend the meetings OF the assoca-
tion. which Ear have been held in secret. The
officers Of the organization. which may adopt the
rsme Of the Oyster Growers and Dealers Associa-
ton of America. AzeI +. Merrell. president;
Henry c. Rowe. of New Haven. e-president:
A s Atwood. OF Boston. secretary. and Edward
To-npkinson. OF Ncrthpor., Long Island. treasurer
The Forest Fish and Game Commission has had
q hiT before the Legislature have commission
appointed 10 certify 10 the sanitary condition OF
oysters harvested in New York and adjacent
waters This bill viii have the backing Of the new
organization.
Alexander Frazer. leading oyster merchant
said: Our aNtion in joining hands with the Forest
Fish and Game Commission TO prevail the Legis-
lature 10 have sanitary commission appointed
speaks I believe, for itself. We lease the oyster
bed privileges from the state Why don't the state
revoke our II oysters gathered from such
beds are the grave menace TO health that has been
reported2
While it may be true that the oyster beds, the
waters surrounding them and even the oysters
themselves may show OF colon bacilli. what
OF that2 notice far that nothing has been said
about colon bacilH being found IN Clans crabs and
Holsters taken from the same waters. Why not,
I wonder
As matter Of fact. colon bacili never hurt any
cne or anything Not authenticated case OK
-y-ptoid fever has Yet been traced to an oyster
Oysters have been placed IN water containing
TYPHOID fever germs and not one was found to be
infected
w Ellsworth Sprague- s Fulton Market oealer'
speaking OF 1he situation yesterday. said The
loss TO the oyster business account Of the
publication of stories regarding typhoid fever as
caused by oysters has already cost the dealers
over sl.o0o.0o0, the sales all over the country
having fallen Of about 25 per cent"
Similar views were expressed yesterday by H
c Ellsworth. vice-president Of the oystermen's
Protective Association. Nj Ellsworth said that
most CT the members believed politics had a
DO with the attacks that have been mace
on the good name OF the oyster
Edward Hatch. 5r-. Of the Merchants Associa-
ton Pollution Committee, said yesterday: There
IS 10 question about the unhealthfulness Of the
oyster that is fatcened the sewage which over
burdens the water adjacent 10 New York Har-
bo-. tc which good and wholesome oysters are
brought from beds where the water Is clean and
pure Recent publications regarding the condi-
lions prevailing about the oyster fattening
grounds are. strange say. underestimate rather
than exaggerated The Board Of Health
should exercise supervision over the oysters and
clans which are sold IN greater New York Leg
islative authority IS be asked for shortly 10
protect not only the consumer but the oyster
beds OF Long Island. which in some instances are
polluted by sewage znd other filth"