Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-21
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OMAHA March D-To the Editor OF
The Bee While arguing on the question
Of Preparedness. I am always asked
this; What will we do n a forelga ma
ton would send a large army over to
the United StatesT' 1 always wondered
how far a foreign army would get In our
country after attacking us. Now. for
instance. II foreign nation took a no
ton to attack the United states the
enemy would have to leave about half OF
It's forces at home In order to protect
its citizens there. When the hostile army
should come near the coast OF the United
States. the army would be between $500
and 5000 miles away from home. Then
how long do you think the enemy would
be able to keep up the fight with its sup
plies and, ammunition at this distance
away?
] have also heard some speakers say
that we have to fear England because OF
It's large and strong navy. n England
has such a powerful navy, why does IL
not attack the United States? There Is
a reason: and all Americans know it.
Our country is probably not prepared
TO go 20 Europe and fight, but we are
certainly prepared to defend our own
country MEREDITH KENYON.
Testimonial 90 Retiring Official.
VALENTINE. Neb., March 2O-To The
Editor of The Bee: At a meeting OF the
Board of Education. Superintendent ~
bothrop OF Long Pine was elected super
intendent OF Valentine public schools W
q. Green. the retiring superintendent, was
not candidate for reelection, although
during the three years OF his administra-
tion the Valentine schools have made re-
markable advancement, perhaps more
than during any equal period in their
history. In losing Superintendent Green.
the Valentine schools are losing a gentle-
man and a superintendent of very rare
ability. J. IL HOWE
Secretary, Board of Education.
MIX Inspector In Defense.
OMAHA, March 2O-To the Editor OF
The Bee: In reply TO the letter of Nathan
straus, 1 was indeed surprised to note
that the famous philanthropist was un
aware of the publication of infant NOR
tality rate of his home city for 1918. also
at misleading figures quoted by him for
1914. In giving the infant mortality rate
for New York City. as LII per 1000, I
erred. used unofficial figures published
In New York paper. I have the weekly
bulletin OF the Department of Health of
New York City OF January 8. 1916. This
bulletin gives the death rate among in
fants under year OF age as 90 per 1000
during 1916. or eighteen less than L stated
As to the 1914 figures the death rate as
stated in Mr.. Straus' letter was 33.O per
Loo, the true figures as shown by this
bulletin CNo. 2 OF New Series, Vol W
were % per 1000 in 1914. or nearly three
times az great as stated by him. He
stated further that since 1897, when he
first began supplying New York City
with pasteurixed milk, there has been a
steady decrease in the death rate among
infants. which at that time was, accord
ing to his figues. s6.5 per 1.oo0 This ia
contradicted by the increase In 1915 to 90
per 1000
Regarding the mistake made by me "a
milk inspector in putting pasteurixation
in q bad light and placing obstacles in
the way Of the noted gentleman in pro-
noting his propaganda. I was unaware
of his interest in the milk supply OF
Omaha until reading his telegram In The
Bee. Possibly he Is not aware that the
average bacteria content of over 1900
samples taken during 1914 In Omaha was
less than 5000 per c. Q. and Of LOO In
1915. was less than 1900. much lower
than allowed Grade A pasteurized milk
in New York City. which I believe has
been reduced to $1,000.
j admit daily inspection OF dairies Il
impossible. but cooperation of press in
publishing dairy scores and bacteria count
monthly has made this possible, averag-
ing lower than that OF pasteurizing
plants.
Milk produced 200 to 800 miles from a
city. on uninspected dairy farms. hauled
in cans TO = crossroad or railroad station,
exposed, probably, hours to the rays of
the sun, brought TO the city in unioed
cars, then pasteurized and delivered 10
the consumer In from thirty-sIx to forty
eight hours after drawn from the COW
can hardly compare with a product under
constant inspection from tuberculin-tested
cows. cleanly milked. cooled and aereated
promptly. bottled. stored and delivered
at approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
ali within a period of an average of
twelve hours.
As our city grows and dairymen are
compelled 10 move far away from the city
the pasteurization OF milk may become
necessary to provide sweet and whole
some milk. Then df still In the inspec-
tion service) will recommend that milk
be paAteuriEed in the original container
as It Is known that through carelessness
of employees IL Is possible for milk to be-
come contaminated after pasteurization
by running same over coolers and
through pipes and bottling machines not
properly sterilized.
In Omaha, without compulsory pas
teruiEation. infant mortality has been re-
duced nearly 70 per cent in the last five
years. 1915 showing A per l.oOo. as against
90 per 1000 (more than double as many
in New York City for the same year, un-
der compulsory pasteuriEation.
CLAUDE + ROSSTE