The Washington times., 1914-11-16
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
METHODS SA7TACKED
Attorney for Milk Dealers Takes
Exceptions to Manner OF Is
suing Bulletins.

Threats to adjourn the hearing IL the
arguments were not confined to the
question before the board, the publica-
ton of bulletins showing the bacterial
count in milk sold by Washington deal
ers, were made by Commissioner New
man today in the midst Of an attack
made by Mathew E. OBrien, attorney
| for the Washington Milk Dealers AS
| socation, on the methods of the Health
Department in its relations with milk
| dealers.
Mr.. O'Brien began his argument with
| the statement that the bacterial counts,
| AS determined by the Health Depart
| mcnt. were of no value. and that the
| tory facilities to make such bacteria,
logical examinations. The effect OF
publishing list showing the ratings OF
dealers selling pasteuriZed milk. he de-
| clared, would be in effect to establish q
| blacklist and to discriminate against
| one dealer in favor Of another.
Interrupted By Newman.
At this point Mr.. OBrien was inter-
| rupted by Commissioner Newman with
| the statement that he was wasting his
| time in attacking the Health Depart
mcnt, and that he must confine himself
to the question under consideration.
| Asked by Commissioner Siddons If he
contended that the Health Department
was using the means at its command
to benefit one dealer at the expense OF
another, Mr.. OBrien answered that
there were a large number of samples
taken from certain dealers and few from
others.
|. Mr.. O'Brien declared that there is no
authority Of law permitting the publ
cation of bulletins showing the bacterial
count Of pastuerized milk. If, in the
opinion Of the Health Department, a
certain milk supply is dangerous, 1t is
the duty Of the Health Department, he
said, to enter prosecution.
Intimates Gigantic Trusts.
That efforts are being made to CEN
tralize the milk business in the hands
Of g. gigantic corporation which started
with the Rockefeller Foundation, and
that every health officer from Bos-
ton to Richmond is a link in a chain
to carry out the laws as to the hand
ling and distribution of milk was
the charge made by Corbin J. Thomp-
son a milk dealer. Mr.. Thrmpson OBJ
Jccted to the publication of bulletins
showing the ratings of milk dealers on
the ground that the information con-
tanned was of little value.
Henry r. Davis, representing the
Washington Dairymens Association,
made the opening statement. declaring
that the proposed bulletin would inform
the public only Of past and not Of pres
ent conditions, and. therefore, could be
considered OF little value. This, he said.
would be unjust to the dealers, and its
effect would be to discriminate against
certain dealers. He decla red that it Is
by no means demonstrated fact that
the bacterial count has any relation to
the wholesomenesB of milk.
Woodward Explains Bulletins.
In answer to the arguments Of the
attorneys for the milk dealers, Health
Officer Woodward said that the bac-
tion of DR.. j. J. Kinyoun, than whom
United States" The purpose of issuing |
bulletins. he said. was to assure the |
consumer who asks for pasteurized milk |
that the product Is properly pasteurized. !
While there is no standard established !
by law in the District, milk that con-
tains not more than 100000 bacteria and |
no colon bacilli. he declared, Is properly |
pasteurized.
In view of the presence Of the foot |
and mouth disease in neighboring |
States. Mr.. Woodward declared he felt
that the public ought to have every |
protection. To publish list showing
the ratingse Of all dealers selling pas
teuriZed milk, he said. would not offer
an injustice to any particular dealer
and would give the community an op-
portunity to protect itself.
The Commissioners reserved decision,
Newman announcing that
careful consideration would be given
the question.