Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-23
TAKES STEPS TO SUPPLY
MILK FOR POOR INFANTS
Board to Order Inquiry by
Health Department.
EXPECTS TO FIND SOLUTION
DIR. Flanagan Instructed to Work
Ont Plan TO Relieve ANY Suffering
Which May Result Among Chill
dren.

| Grave fear that increased milk prices.
which will become effective on Novem-
Der ], will cause suffering among chill
dren and babies in Richmond led the
| Administrative Board yesterday to d.
rect DR.. Roy X. Flanagan to conduc.
an immediate investigation as to what
effect the higher prices will have on
the welfare of infants. and to report 10
the board at once. The entire force
of the Health Department. If neces-
sary. is to be used in making the In
quiry.
This action follows the decision Of
distributors and producers. as an
nounccd Saturday. to advance the price
OF milk 10 10 cents per quart in the
city. While the producers declare
they are losing money in selling their
product at the present prices. and dis
tributors assert that they are operating
on an exceedingly close margin of prof
IT, members OF the Administrative
Board are fearful of the effect the
higher prices will have on the well
fare OF the children.
Careful consideration was given the
matter by the board, and efforts were
made to work out some solution of the
problem. In event that DR.. Flanagan
finds that the increased cost of milk
will cause suffering among children
and babies, he will be directed to take
the matter up directly with the dairy
companies and the farmers In an eff
fort to alleviate the situation as rar
as possible. The board Is determined,
members said. to protect the life and
health OF Richmond children.
MAY ASK PRODUCERS TO
SELL MILK AT COST
Among the suggestions made at the
meeting OF the board was the estab-
lishment OF mammoth milk station
in the city. or several smaller stations
in different localities. This is the plan
that probably will be followed in event
that the Health Department finds such
action necessary for the protection of
infants. With the establishment of
this station, the producers will be asked
80 sell milk to families with small
children and babies at actual cost and
all the work will DC superintendent by
the Health Department.
No distinction is made by the Ad-
nlihlstrative Board between white and
cCiorcd children. Members of the board
believe that, after a thorough inveS-
tiSation into all the phases of the
problem, some solutions can be
found. The investigation will be start
ed by DR.. Flanagan at once. he said.
it vas pointed out that there are
hundreds of families In the city with
children and babies. and that in few
instances. under existing conditions
can they afford to pay the increased
price of milk. The article is one, how
ever, that is of vital Importance TO
tbs health and welfare of children.
The Importance of proper milk for
children has been given deep con-
sidcration in recent months, and dur
ing the summer several milk stations
were opened in the city. These sta
tons were mainly conducted by well
fare organizations, but under the di-
rcctior and supervision of the Health
Department. The success and value OF
this work was clearly demonstrated.
and plans arc on foot for the opening
of other stations.
DEPENDS on COOPERATION
OF D.ttHIlaS AND FARMERS
Mothers are furnished with the pur-
est milk obtainable. and the article
is kept iced ut all times. Records of
the Health Department during the
summer showed great reduction in
sickness as result OF this work, and
the Administrative Board is fearful
that. with increased prices. parents
will he unable TO purchase the article,
and there will be increased sickness
among the babies of the city.
Or. Flanagan will detail several
members OF his staff to the investiga-
Quiiv will be completed in the next
few days. He will report at once to
the Administrative Board and plans
for the establishment Of the milk
stations will be worked out. This ac-
ton on the part of the board is de-
pendent largely upon the cooperation
obtained from the dairy companies and
the farmers. but members OF the board
believe little difficulty will be ex-
pcrienced in reaching an agreement
~