Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-15
milk INQUIRY IS ON
Chamber of Commerce Com
mittee Chosen by President.
WILL GO TO WORK AT ONCE
Every Phase of Situation Is to Be
Looked Into.
BOARD OF TRADE OUT OF IT
Decides There Is Nothing New to
Investigate-Warm Weather
May Increase Supply.
WILL GO TO WORK AT ONCE
BOARD OF TRADE OUT OF IT

President William F. GUIDE of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce today
| named the committee of that body which
is to investigate the milk problem in this
city, as follows: ]. Louis Willige, T. c.
Dulin, b. w Guy, George w. White and
W. D. Hoover
Mr. Guide says he selected representa-
tive men in the various branches of busi-
ness life in the city. The investigation,
it is intended. will be of the widest scope
The question as to the causes of the
| shortage of the milk supply, the neces-
sity for the tuberculosis test and other
matters pertaining to the mix supply of
the city will he gone into at once. The
first meeting of the committee will be
held at an early date, probably on
Wednesday,
Milk Supply May Increase.
1t is possible that there will be de-
cided increase in the supply of milk from
nearby sources within the next ten days
or two weeks, particularly if there is
rainfall and the present summer-like
weather continues.
The farmers who have been raising
calves for the market are now shipping
them, and about this season the ship
ments become heavy.
The milk the calves have been taking
Will be put upon the market. and con-
siderable increase from this source is
looked for. AS vet however, the supply
from local sources is below the demand,
and to meet the deficiency the milk deal
ers are buying milk where they can
find it.
Not only are they getting milk from
Cooperstown, N Y, but 1t is also brought
in from Pennsylvania and other points.
carload of milk from Cooperstown
came in yesterday morning, and another
is looked for tomorrow or Monday.
This milk, the dairymen assert is cost
ing them more than they are getting for
it. They say they cannot stand the loss
much longer.
Dairymen to Fight Hard.
Corbin Thompson of the Sharon dairy
stated to a Star reporter this morning
when questioned regarding the contro-
versy between the District health office
and the milk dealers and producers,
that both sides are lying on their
hearing before the Commissioners next
week, when the contest will be on In
earnest and will be fought to finish.
The tubercular test requirement of the
heath omce Is stirring up the country
people in Maryland. and Virginia, it is
stated by residents. They are preparing
to fight the order to the fullest extent
1t is the one subject of conversation in
the country surrounding this city. Five
dairymen assert that the outcome Of the
controversy means life or death to their
business. If the tuberculn test of dairy
cattle is required 1t means high-priced
milk for. many years. if it ever becomes
low again.
Many dairy farmers are preparing to
go out Of the business under any circum-
stances The number will be largely
Increased should the proposed test be
enforced.
Support for Health Officer.
Randall Highlands Citizens Association,
at a meeting held last night. adopted reso-
lutiOns indorsing the stand taken by DR..
Woodward. District health officer. 1t was
set forth that the association realizes the
Importance of protecting the public health
and lowering infant mortality by safe
guarding the milk supply of the District
of Columbia in the most approved man
ner recognized by scientific standards.
1t expressed its appreciation of the ac-
ton Of the health officer in the issuing
of recent order providing that all milk
and cream offered for sale in the District
OF Columbia be the product of cows which
have passed satisfactory tuberculin test
The association further considered ii de-
sirable and necessary that this work pro-
gress as rapidly as possible, and that
pasteuriZation be required for the prod
uct of all cows which are not known to
be free from tuberculosis and otherwise
healthy: also that the efforts toward i'm
provement of sanitary conditions in the
production and handling of milk be con-
tinued with increased vigor.
No Inquiry by Board of Trade.
The Board Of Trade will not at this
time make Investigation Of the milk sit
uation. This decision was reached at
meeting of the committee on public
health last night in the offices of the
Board of Trade.
The committee. of which DR.. ID. Percy,
Hickling is chairman went on record
favoring the adoption of the milk bill
pending before Congress. which, with
other things. provides for the tuberculin
test OF cattle. The committee also IA
vored the Massachusetts law, which pro-
vides that all milk to be supplied to
the consumers should be kept at a tenn
perature at or below 30 degrees Fahren-
heit, and should contain not more than
100000 bacteria per CUBIC centimeter.
A. s. Trundle Appears.
\. s. Trundle. representing the Dairy
mems Association. and dairy interests in
! Maryland, Virginia and the District of
Columbia, appeared before the committee
and denounced the health department Of
| the District government for its activity
| in regard to the milk supply. He de-
| clsred that the health office was largely
responsible for the present milk famine
| in Washington.
Mr.. Trundle declared that il the tu-
| berculin test is made compulsory it will
| drive many milk dealers out of busi-
ness. He insisted that the tuberculin
4 test Is not reliable. and often failed to
show the existence of disease in cattle
/ that are really diseased, and, on the
other hand. sometimes attempted to show
/ that healthy cattle are diseased.
| DIR. Hickling said today that the COM
| mittee had reached the conclusion there
was nothing new in the milk situation
TO warrant investigation. The question
resolved itself into a difference of opin-
ion between the Department of Agricul-
| ture and the American Association of
] Veterinary Surgeons.
! The department, he said supported the
| tuberculn test. The association was op-
posed to ii as not infallible. The dairy
| men, he said. are pinning their faith
| TO the opinion of the veterinary surgeons.
Pools and Baths Advocated.
The committee went on record favoring
/ the establishment of public swimming
pools in the city, and public baths at the