Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-02-22
MILK SUPPLY
Com mission Goes Into the Matter of
Local Milk Supply.

Placing the responsibility Of pas
tuerisng and distributing the city 5
milk supply on the city is the only
solution of the problem that now con-
fronts local health authorities to give
pure milk to the city
This statement was given with au-
thority today and is the elimination
of weeks spent in an eXacung rea-
search on the part of state and Local
health commissioners to ascertain
some method of dispensing the pro
duct throughout the city in way
that would lessen the possibility 81
cOntagion and turn il over to the con
sumner M the lowest cost Dr. Car
uey, who has been ia direct charge OF
the loca Investigation, remarked that
an investigation carried on recently
under the supervision OF the health
department has revealed many condi
tions that emphasize the Importance
Of immediate and definite action.
In carrying on this investigation.
the commissioners have considered ev-
cry phase Of the situation They
have secured data on the number o.
persons actually engaged in distrib
uting milk in the city and have gone.
In some cases, into homes receiving
milk from certain so-caled milkmen
and found that health conditions have
been below the average. The con
ditions under which the various
dairies are cooperating have been
thoroughly gone into and have eX-
posed many facts that show con-
clusively that radical steps should be
taken. The commission has left no
stone unturned in the campaign and
now comes with proposition for pub
lie endorsement.
The health department believes that
the public in general is not aware Of
existing conditions in the several
dairies Offering milk to the city. The
conditions in most of the dairies, it
is said, are such that disease is liable
to spread at any time. Sufficient
vigilance is not exercised to keep
utensils, stables or yards clean by the
majority of dairymen, little considera-
ton is given in determining the pres
ence or absence of tuberculosis in the
herd. The most essential principles
OF securing so-called certified milk
cannot be enforced here because OF
the lack of understanding by the
dairymen Of these important features
Such conditions as these, are reasons
that emphasize the Importance of a
change IN the present method of
handling the milk supply
Local conditions do not allow the
adoption of d system with as wide
range as that which prevails in larger
municipalities Ii is possible, health
authorities say. 10 work out a plan
that will operate III a city of this
size and work efficiently. and one that
will give to the public milk quickly.
sanitary and at a low cost The prin-
cipal features OF this plan are city
pastucrization and city distribution.
The others can be determined when
the city health department has the en-
dorsement OF the public on the propo-
sition. which up 70 the present has
not been altogether forthcoming
\ cooperative pastuerizing plan
has been suggested by Interested par
ties, but this proposition is not looked
upon BY the health department with
amy great favor There are at present
sixty sources Of the city's milk sup
ply These dairymen are willing to
60 operate on basis Of nine cents Il
quart, but Or Carney raises the ar
gUment that milk can be sold in this
city under municipal supervision at
eight cents and possibly lower Pri-
yate ownership has also been pigeon
holed as there would be tendency
towards the development of mono
poly with, perhaps. even worse results
than under the cooperative plan
There are two conclusions that can
be drawn from the statements given
out by the health department Either
the city must be content with the pres
cnt unsanitary, unhealthy conditions
on urge the council to take some ac-
ton where by the municipality will
take oyer the entire control of the
and distributing the To-
cal milk supply
\ CITIZEN