Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-22
HEALTH OFFICER REFUSES
TOBE CROSS-ExAMINED

Representatives of the Dairymen's AS
ISOLATION. which is fighting the order of
the District health Office for the tuber-
culin test of all cattle supplying milk to
washington, were given their innings at
the opening hearing of the investigation
into the local milk situation by the
Chamber Of Commerce yesterday after
noon.
A. 8. Trundle laid before the special
committee the arguments which he made
against the tuberculin test and other reg
ulations imposed upon the dairymen by
the health office at the hearing before
the District Commissioners. j. Louis
WHlige, chairman of the committee, sew
eral times cautioned Mr.. Trundle to keep
to discussion OF the question whether
the proposed regulations and the pres
ent regulations imposed by the health
ONCE were responsible for the present
milk shortage in the District of Columbia
Blames Health Office.
Mr.. Trundle insisted that the health
Offices regulations were responsible for
the shortage. He insisted that the pres
ent conditions would be permanent un-
less the health Office regulations were
amended.
He attacked the tuberculin test, saving
it not only did not prove conclusively
that the cattle were diseased, but it also
injured many cattle to which it is given.
he said that if the test is insisted upon
many dairymen IN Maryland and Nir-
glnia, who now supply the city with milk
will go out of the business. He said
that many had already been forced out
OF business by the many regulations
which have been imposed by the health
office.
One Of these regulations which particu-
larly stuck in Mr.. Trundes crop was
that requiring the floors of barns in
which cows are kept to have concrete
floors. He asked how long human
being. or any other animal, could stand
and lie on a concrete floor without get
ting rheumatism.
The chairman asked question relating
to the statistics of the health office
why. Mr.. Chairman. there's nothing
in the world more misleading than the
statistics Of the health Office exclaimed
Mr.. Trundle. They have statistics on
record showing that for years several
hundred more babies have died in Wash
ington than have been born here
Yet We have hundreds of new babies
entering the kindergartens right along
How can they account for such discrep-
ancy?''
DR.. Woodward Declines Argument.
Health Officer Woodward was present
at the hearing. When Arthur GOldsbor-
ough of Maryland was asked by Mr..
Trundle to take up the attack upon the
tuberculin test, Mr.. Goldsborough said he
did not wish to make statement. but
did wish to ask the health officer a few
questions
But the health officer showed no in
clination to answer questions. When Mr..
Goldsborough said that he would wait
until the next meeting of the committee
to PROFOUND his questions. Dr. Woodward
snapped out that he did not intend to
be questioned by Mr.. GOldsborough. and
that the latter might as well stay in
Maryland. instead of coming to the meet
ing next Tuesday. il he expected him
(Dr Woodward) to answer him.
Dr. Woodward said he was there to
testify before the committee and not to
be cross-examined by Mr.. Goldsborough
or any one else
1t was brought out at the hearing yes
terday that the dairymen are not raising
serious objection TO pasteurized milk.
w. 4. Simpson and j. w. Castle. other
presented their views, but
added little to the mass of testimony
offered the Commissioners Thursday.
The hearing will be continued next
Tuesday at o'clock. At this session, ii |
is expected, several farmers and dairy |
men from Maryland and Virginia will /
speak for the producers.