The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-23
LETTER Of 1903"
COMES TO LIGHT
Famous Circular Discoveredin
Which Health Officer Dis
eusses City Ordinance
DAIRYMEN WERE GIVEN
TIME TO DISCONTINUE
Copied from Document Said to be
in Possession of DR.. Levy.
Committee Wants


which Chief Health Officer Levy is
--sntd- to have cuunrenauced a suspen=
sion Of the ordinance prohibiting the
feeding Of distillery swill by dairy
men selling milk in Richmond, has
been discovered by The Richmond
Yirginian, and Ia printed below
This letter was sent out to all the
dairymen selling on the Richmond
market, and since the Pollock Wise in
vestigation started everyone connected
with the inquiry has been attempting
to get a copy OF it.
II is claimed by the accused coun-1
cilmen that the circular proves tina,
the prohibition ordinance was inter-
preted in just the light which the
dairymen wished 1t to be understood.
1t Is shown that DIR. Levy. acting in
his official capacity and over his
signature as chief health officer said
that he did not care to insist upon
enforcing the ordinance. as distillery
mash" as distinguished from sour
'-swiif' was a healthy and wholesome
food.
= The letter says that although the
use OF the food was strictly forbid
den" and had been prohibited for over
four years, It's "diseentinuance" had
not been insisted upon. but that after
July 20, fsus, the ordinance would be
enforced
AS the letter was written July 10.
1908, II In claimed by all who have
made full study Of the case that, by
saying that the ordinance would be
enforced July 90, the health officer
practically sanctioned the use OF the
forbidden food from July 10 until July
90. besides admitting that during the
previous four years. while the inspec-
tors had made all possible observa-
tons in connection with the feeding
of sw.ll," the law had not been en-
forced by the health department
On this very point the letter says
no action has been taken in this con-
nection,"
Copies Lest.
When the investigating committee
actively begun inquiry into the charges
against Counctimen Pollock and Wise
Wednesday night this circular was
called for. but DIR. Levy replied that
though he had had several copies in
his files. all OF them In some way had
beer list or DESTROYED,
A letter was then produced which
made mention OF the circular and re-
f,rred, II is Understood 70 the date TN
which enforcement OF ths ordinance
would be begun.
DIR. Levy when called upon to Fhow
this letter by a Representative of The
Virginia refused. saying that IL was "A
document which concerned neither the
newspapers nor 'he public To use
his own words, IL VAS "nohotiy's bust !
ness"
The copy discovered by The Eir-
ginian was furnished by Mr.. j. o.
Scott secretary and treasurer OF the
Richmond Dairy Company. Mr.. Scott
said that he had copied II from q let
ter now in possession OF DR.. Levy.
Ii Is known that DIR. Levy win he
called upon by the Investigating com
rnittee which continues Its hearing
Monday night. to show The circular. |
The mayor has written him a letter |
asking for an explanation. DIR. Levy |
has replied that the terms of the cir
cGfar nave been misunderstood. He /
says he has not and never has sus-
pended the ordinance.
The dairymen declare however, that |
theJ. took the letter ut what 1t was
wcrti. They say that az Or. Levy IVES /
chief health officer. and hal practical |
cEai &C OF all milk inspection. they |
read the letter In Its literal sense. and |
understood the expressions nc action |
has been taken. and will DE enforced I
alter the eeth Of this UUntr 10 mean t
JUST what the words would imply.
Copy Of Letter.
Following Is the copy Of the letter: /
Richmond, Va, July 10. 1908.
Dear Sir.--The health depart
rnent has been seriously consid-
ering for some time tho question II
Of feeding distillery swiil to
mich cows.
This practice Is strictly for
hidden by the ordinance OF juno
3. 1904. but there have been 50
many other matters Of apparent
ly greater importance when we
began our work last spring that
no action has been taken in this
connection.
Besides. ! personally wished to
have good deal more light on
the subject. not caring to insist
arbitrarily on the disc0ntnuance
OF food which. according to
many Is of great value.
Our dairy inspector has been
instructed during the past twelve
months to make all possible OBJ
servations In connection with the
feeding OF swill. and his report
shows that II is practically i'm
possible to keep COW barn In
proper sanitary condition when
swill Ia used as feed for cows.
1T causes bad odor. sloppy
condition OF the feeding trough
and stalls In general. ana attracts
large numbers OF flies.
mNotice Is therefore given that
the ordinance relating to the
feeding OF distiliery swill "a copy
or which Is herewith enclosed)
will be strictly enforced after the
goth Of this month.
IF after that date any pro-
Queer is found feeding swill his
permit will be revoked.
"A copy OF this letter Is being
sent out to all producers supply
ing milk to the Richmond mar
ket as some who have not thus
used distillery swill may be
ntemplating doing so, and
zee It Ii important that all
nd know that the practice
be discontinued +
Very truly yours.
Il Gs4yyy