The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-13
Topeka City Inspection Best in
Country.
New York City Asks Advice
From DIR. G.. F. Babb.
WATCH MONTHLY REPORTS
Dairymen and Consumers Look
for Showing
Made in State Journal First of
Each Month.

1t isn't very often that New York
city sends TO the far west to one of her
nieces and solicits advice on the way
she shall handle her milk supply. But
the big metropolis cut a few slices
from her dignity the other day and
asked DIR. George F. Babb. city milk
Inspector of Topeka, the method he
used in inspecting and grading the
milk sold to consumers in Topeka
Paul E. Taylor, secretary of the New
York milk committee, asked the in
formation, representing that large
body in New York organized for the
purpose of improving the milk supply
and preventing the unnecessary loss of
infant life. In his letter to the Topeka
milk inspector, Mr.. Taylor said he
had noticed the monthly milk reports
in the Topeka State Journal and was
anxious to learn more about the work
in this city.
Speaking of the monthly milk re-
ports published the first day of each
month in the State Journal, the milk
consumers in Topeka probably are not
aware of what these published reports
have meant in the Improvement OF the
supply in this city.
Lecture Courses Didn't Pay.
Prior to the published reports. DR.
Babb found it necessary to confine his
entire attempts in prodding the dairy
men to personal correspondence and
face-to-face conversations. If the mills
ally poor grade he either notified the
dairymen by letter or telephone or
sometimes in person.
But it did not have the desired effect.
The milk dealers knew that a little
scolding now and then would not affect
their business. Their customers never
knew of the milk inspections. A warn
ing from the inspector was good only
while it lasted-then they fell back into
their old habits.
I,r Iap4 ann ar-xr T0r- E11,T
showing one of his monthly reports to }
newspaper man.
This is a bad report" the doctor
said. II am ashamed of it. But there
is no way to make the dairymen
ashamed of themselves unless 1 notify
| their customers. Now tell you what
| would like to dol would like to pub
lish this report. I would like to let the
customers know what they are buying
from their dealer. Let's try it %
| The report was published.
One hour after the paper was out, the
telephone in the city milk inspectors
Office began to ring. And it rang for
seven days.
What are you trying to do-ruin my
business?" shouted one dairyman.
II have lost five good customers al
ready" complained another.
THAT is no way to bawl a man OUT
To each dairyman Dr.. Babb gave tho
same answer.
Here it is:
Doctor Babb's Admonition.
These reports will be published
monthly. They win show just what
you are giving your customers. The
people of Topeka will know the quality
and the grade of your milk. If you
want to make a good showing-if you
want to retain your old customers and
make new ones-keep your name in
the right place"
Since that time. the reports have
been printed every month. The dairy
men as well as the consumers haV0
scanned the paper that day to see whar
the report had in store for them
Dairymen say that If their grade is
low the morning greeting when they
deliver the milk the next days is:
well, l see by last nights paper
that your milk made a poor showing
last month. What's the matter? Is
it that way this month";"
They solemnly promise that the next
report will make up for the short
comings of the last.
1t is unusual now for the monthly
statements to show more than one
dairyman with dirty milk. The Gus
toners have learned to look for them
for the verdict.
DR.. Babb. since he has handled the
city milk inspection department. has
done Voc 4ars in this line in Topeka
His "dirt thief cotton strainer is in
use universally and a similar strainer
was recommended in New York
months after DR.. Babb had brought IL
to Topeka.
Topeka never was in better shape
as far as the milk supply is concerned.
The milk itself and the dairies are in
spected regularly. The dairymen are
trying to keep their names in the
honor roll each month and the con-
sumerS are reaping the benefits.