Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-15
STRAUS MIGHT GIVE
Milk Laboratories Donated to
Other Cities.
WASHINGTON MAY PROFIT
Plant for Capital on Assumption Of
Maintenance.
CONGRESS MAY LEGISLATE
Bill Likely to Be Presented at Next
Session to Perpetuate Crusade
to Save Babes.


Natndn StrduS, the New L OFk plllidf-
thropist, may donate to the District of
Columbia the pasteurized milk laboratory
as we'll as the equipment of the sub
stations recently established in this city
at a cost of hundreds of dollars. This is
the belief of a number of prominent char
ity workers in Washington.
The philanthropist has given no public
intimation that he would take this action.
If Congress could be induced to make an
appropriation to maintain the work here,
Mr. Straus would turn the work over to
any charity board or commission which
the national legislators would designate,
it is thought.
Diet Kitchen Interested.
Miss Mary Gwynn. president of the
Washington diet kitchen. is very much
interested in the movement.
Together with other women, prominent
In Washington social and philanthropic
circles, Miss Gwynn for some years has
been conducting the work Of the kitchen,
which seeks to provide suitable 1000 TOT
the sickrooms of the poor as well as pas
teurized milk for the infants.
The nurses of the Instructive visiting
Nurses Society act as the agents for the
kitchen. Recently Miss Gwynn and
others cooperating with her. became con-
WINGED that now Is the time for Congress
to be interested in the matter. with view
OF making 1t municipal institution.
The funds Of the kitchen, raised
through subscriptions. are said to be in
adequate for the demand which mas been
located by the rurses in their rounds OF
the homes of the sick poor.
Approval of Congressman.
Those who have observed the work Of
the laboratory in the effort to reduce the
infant mortality of the city, and who
wish to make it a public institution, have
noted with much interest that number
Of prominent members OF both houses Of
Congress have from time to time pointed
out that they are interested in the work.
Senator Gallinger. chairman of the Sem
ate District committee, in his address on
the occasion of the formal opening Of the
laboratory lauded the work and gave it
his hearty approval. In case a bill is in
troduced in the next Congress providing
pected that it will have many ardent sup
porterS.
Gifts to Other Cities.
In their belief that Mr.. Straus might
turn the laboratory with it's valuable
equipment over to the District, those who
are suggesting the proposed appropriation
by Congress are supported by the fact
that in several other cities where the
philanthropist has placed similar labora-
tories he has in every instance turned
them over to the municipal governments
when proper arrangements were made for
the support Of the institutions. In the
case of Washington they hardly expect
he will make an exception.
None of Mr.. Straus friends in this city
have had word from him on the subject.
They point to his actions in Philadelphia.
Newark and other cities, where fine
plants, costing hundreds OF dollars. were
given over to the municipal governments.
1t is hoped by those pushing the move
ment in this city that Congress will lend
willing ear to the work when the fact
is brought out that the lives of hundreds
of infants are no doubt saved through the
agency of this specially paSteurized milk
prepared at the laboratory. The effort to
get Congress to take hold of the matter
will, it is believed, have the support OF
the leading members Of the instructive
Visiting Nurses society, a list Of which
includes Mrs. William Corcoran Eustis.
president: Mrs. Arnold Hague and others
equally prominent socially.
More Substations Proposed.
1t is planned if Congress takes up the
matter to have substations of the lab
oratory more widely distributed than at
the present time, SO that the mother, even
in the remotest part Of the city. will have
little difficulty in getting the proper milk
food for her infant.
The milk and other foods could be sold
at cost. With economic management, 1t
is pointed out. the work could be car
ried on with most modest appropria-
ton.
DR.. William C. Woodward, health officer
of the District, is deeply interested in the
laboratory He is also of the belief that
the milk which it is putting out in the
various sections of the city is doing
splendid service in reducing the infant
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