Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-14
DEFENDS NORWICH MILK SUPPLY
Nothing Fear From I-Dr Shahan Milk Inspector An swers Criticism of Dr. North of New York-Norvvch Milk Tastes Good and Looks Clean, Says the Inspector In Last Quarter Almost Per Cent of Samples Ran Between 80 and 90 Per Cent Cleanliness

 spector for Norwich, made answer Wednesday evening to the criticism of the Norwich milk supply made before the County Improvement league in New London Tuesday night by Dr. c E. North, formerly of North Ston- ington and now of New York, who was quoted in the Bulletin as having stated that the milk supply of Norwich was about the poorest in the state as far as cleanliness is concerned" and that New London had about the best
 This certainly was some good news to New London" Dr. Shahan said. yet 1t seems to some that if Dr. North had a grievance against the farmers or inspector of Norwich, the time and place for such damag ging accusations was not in New London. but in our town hall, where he stood face to face with them on Dec. , (Ult1.
 If our milk contains dirt, continued Dr. Shahan, T am sorry for it, and have no excuses to make. It tastes good and looks clean. Our farmers are clean. and for farmers, look clean; their stables and cattle and surround ings are clean, and, if cur milk, in cleanliness. is not the best, it Is prob ably made so in the process of milk ing. But there is g difference be- tween relative or comparative dirti- ness and absolute dirtiuess. l believe that the average so- called dirty milk of today is as clean as. if not cleaner than, the apparently clean milk of ten years ago. But, calling a sheep's tail so.' "
 What Tests Show.
 Taking up the results of tests of Norwich milk. the Norwich milk in- spector said that from Sept 3Oth to Dec. 31st, 1914. 15 per cent. of our to 8 per cent. cleanliness: and almost 60 per cent. between so and go per cent. cleanliness. Our state allows 50,0 900 bacteria per c. c. and then calls it "good' milk. In the quarter re- ferred to, 40 per cent. of our samples ran below 10, ,Q00 bacteria, which is looked upon in most states where they analyze milk, as No. 1, Certified. and commands high prices in many cities. Tn the city of Boston. as Dr. North showed on his chart, aTy milk brought or sent there containing 100000 or less bacteria per .. C. is qualified as fine. or almost certified. Now, oyer 70 yer cent of our milk runs below 50 900 and 29 per cent below 1000, so we may draw our own conclusions about the milk We use.
 The Norwich Milky Way.
 Dr Shaha~ reviewed some of the incidents If a few n2SAth= back which he thought may have tended to coiO~ what he called Dr. NCrth's yellow view 
 Last summer, he said. w a lead CT in the County Improvene league, and a prominent city official D~. EoCth made appointment to meet at my OfJtc6 to talk over a business proposition in relation to the milk question. There he emphasized the crying need of a central station, or establishment, for this city. in which all milk or cream coming from our neighbori g farms could me impounded and kept for sale. All producers were to be eniOin- ed or pledged to supply such station only. They were to give up their long established routes: those who had horses would need one only; extra help was to be dispensed with; early rising, and early milking by lantern light. was thirg of the past: the farmer might bring in his milk within any reasonable time; our city mile age in streets was infinitely figured out and a certain number of men or women were to handle a certain num- ber of miles, though delivery would not terminate until along in the af- ternoon: nobody need expect fresh milk for breakfast coffee, all products being those of yesterday or the day before; all was to be classified and all prices for certified milk were to be classy. He who would not enter the combine would be sorry: for as sure a.. smoke at the other end of the rain bow, those who combined would find that their can of milk would change to a pot of gold. Increased valuations would be allowed for the farmers pro- duct, and expenses for collecting. dis tributing. iceing. salaries, running ex- penses, etc, would be easily met, if the project could get the Board of Trade, city council or some few in f1uential citizens to back il.
 The plan further provided that ordi- nary milk, poor milk, was to be sold at a popular rate to those who could not afford to pay for the better kind. Certified milk. or milk richer in cream or more devoid of bacteria. than we are now getting would become too pro- hibitive in price, except to a few. who do not in reality need it, or could at least get along without it, and let those wao need it have it.
 Certified Milk Trade,