The Washington times., 1911-03-19
FAVORS ACCEPTING
OYSTERS PROPOSAL
Chairman of Chamber OF
Commerce Milk Commit.
tee Interviewed.

The suggestion Of The Times, that the
offer of George NJ. oyster TO continue
the work done the past year by the
Straus milk laboratory be accepted,
meets my hearty approval l shall call
nv committee together in day or two
to consider it.
This statement was made today by
]. Louis WIllige. chairman of the spe-
ciaI committee of the Chamber of Com
merce appointed to investigate Mr.. Oys-
ter's offer, and TO determine whether an
effort should be made to maintain the
Straus depots by private subscription.
Continuing, Mr.. Willige said:
Il agree with The Times that if Mr..
Oyster will guarantee to continue the
work OF the Sraus plant, and will con-
sent to have it supervised by commit
tee of the Chamber of Commerce or OF
the Associated Charities, his offer should
be accepted. | shall call a meeting of
my committee within a day or two,
and suggest that we ask Mr.. Oyster to
submit his proposal in writing.
Stipulations Favored.
PERSONALLY, feel that We should
make these stipuIatiOns:
That the permanency Of the work be
guaranteed.
That ii be supervised by a committee
representing the public.
THAT M. Oyster agree 10 furnish
milk free to those who cannot afford to
pay. and at reduced rates to those who
cannot afford to pay the ordinary mar
ket prices.
THAT at least four nurses be en-
ployed 10 go into the homes Of the poor
and ignorant and teach mothers how to
care for their infants.
That the character OF milk furnished
for babies meet the requirements of the
supervising committee as to quality and
purity.
If Mr.. oyster will agree TO these
conditions, I see no reason why he
should not be encouraged TO undertake
the work. Furthermore, I see no reason
why the Straus laboratories should be
maintained. The community would then
he relieved OF the work the laboratories
have been doing-a work which Mr.:
Straus has given up, ard which could
otherwise be continued only by main
tanning the Straus depots by private
charity or by inducing Congress to put
them under the Public Health and Ma
rIne Hospital Service.
getting any action at the special session
of Congress That would mean the
depots would have to be maintained by
private contributions until next winter
or next aspiring. There is question
whether Congress would ever authorize
the Government to take them over II
il failed to do so, the depots would have
to be supported by the citizens
Solves the Whole Problem.
Mr.. Oysters offer, it seems to me.
solves the whole problem. would not
favor accepting it unless every precau
ton in the public interest could be
thrown about the operation OF his in
fants' department after it is in opera
tion, but II these precautions could be
thrown about it-and I think Mr.. Oyster
would agree to thNm-we would be lack
ing in common sense II We declined his
proposal"
At the meeting Of Mr.. Williges COM
mittee it is probable a subcommittee
will be appointed TO get a definite. writ
ten prOpOsitiOr~frOm Mr.. Oyster, an. to
obtain the opinion of physicians and
social workers on the desirability of
accepting il or rejecting it.
In the meantime the StrauS plant will
continue in operation. Julius I. Peyser,
chairman Of the Chamber of Commerce
committee appointed TO raise money for
the milk depots, has received enough to
keep the plant going until April L. or
MAY I. Whether he continues TO solicit
funds for the plant will depend on
whether Mr.. Oysters proposal is ac-
Cepted