New-York tribune., 1919-12-29


jurisdiction over the manufactured
milk products and discusses this as
follows:
1T (the commission) shall investigate
and supervise the milk industry, from
the COW to consumer. 1t shall have
jurisdiction. not only over the fluid
milk, but also over the manufactured
products of milk, with the exception,
however, that the commission shall not
lnterfere with the power of the State
Health Department or the local health
oihcers to supervise the quality of milk
and the conditions under which it is
produced and sold. All control and
supervision over milk and milk prod
ucts now given to the departments of
Farms and Markets in the Division of
Agriculture and in the Division of Food
and Markets, or elsewhere, shall be
transferred to this milk commission"
Would Register Producers
The suggestion for enforced regis
tration of producers and distributors
is covered in the committees recon-
mcndations by the inclusion Of the fol-
lowing two specifications:
ut shall require every producer of
milk to register with the commission
and to report to the commission at
stated periods showing the disposition
Of the milk and milk products sold,
setting forth the name and address of
the station or stations to which he de-
hvered 1t, the prices obtained therefor
and statement as to whether such
milk was sold for fluid or for manu-
featuring purposes.
1T shall require the operator of
every milk shipping station, conden-
sery, butter factory, cheese factory, or
other plant engaged in the manufacture
of milk products. and every distributor
of milk and milk products to register
with the commission and to report to
the commission at stated periods show
ing the amount of milk received. the
price paid therefor, the names Of
producers and tie eventual disposition
of the milk. together with such other
information as the milk commission
may deem necessary
The commission would have power to
eliminate Implications in the milk de-
livery in cities OF the first class, ac-
cording to the report. The committee
recommends that the commission shall
require each distributor in cities Of
the first class to file with it map set
ting forth the territory covered by
each milk wagon. The tenth specifica-
tion of the commissions power again
refers TO manufacturers. 1t would give
the commission the right to prohibit
the sale of milk for manufacturing
purposes and divert it to fluid milk
shipping stations to avert a shortage
of fresh milk.
Proposes City Zones
The report asks for the comm ssion
remedial legislation at all times.
The commission. the committee points
out, should be allowed to zone cities
Tor distribution purposes and to con-
solidate existing creameyies, shipping
stations, receiving stations and pasteur-
ization plants.
AS justification for the recommends
tlons, the committee says:
The committee is assured by counsel
that the emergency created by the war
fully justihes its asking for such legis
lation as it suggests"
The committee points out that it be-
lieves that comfort, safety and health
of the public demand that the milk
business be classified with the public
utilities and brought under public regu-
lation." 1t explains thai this conclu-
sion resulted from survey made by
Health Department nurses to determine
properly a health problem. H. the sur
vey, the results of which have been
made public previously, 11,0G7 families
were visited.
Would Consolidate Stations
In discussing the city distributing
stations the committee says:
investigations by the Department of
Health have shown that certain plants
are not operated to their full capacity,
and that if they were so operated a
number might be discontinued. Natural
IS. the operation of unnecessary sta
tions means wasteful expenditure Of
money. The modern city consolidates
its railroad terminals and erects union
depots. What can be more natural than
to follow this plan in milk handling
thus saving capital, overhead charges
and space"
The committee attacks the present
system of milk delivery by declaring
that the problem could be solved if the
public would use the 10000 grocery
and delicatessen stores in this city
as their sources Of milk supply. The
committee criticizes as unfair the pres
ent practice of distributing companies
of charging grocers the same price for
bottled milk as consumers.
If deliveries must be continued the
committee recommends that each com
pany take over single zone. To
eliminate the losses in Bottle breakage
and the failure to retorn bottles and
cans, the committee recommends that
dealers exact a deposit from con-
sumers.
The committee points to the dangers
arising from the unrestricted manu-
facture Of milk products by large COM
panies, citing the Nestle company Of
ticials Of which admitted to exporting
50 per cent of its manufactures. The
commit c suggests that manufacturers
be compelled to go outside Of a $50 or &
200 mile radius Of the city for their
milk leaving the dairies nearer New
York to supply the fluid milk.
Assails Dairymcns League
The Dairymen's League, the pro
ducers' organization, IS attacked in the
report. 1t states that the league col
lects through dues and subsidies $780,
600 a year, and that the money is eX-
pended in paying large salaries to q
many officers, and this is a charge
against the ultimate consumer. 1t adds.
however that the league seems to be
the only effort to protect the farmer.
The price-fixing function of the
league is criticized. The price Is called
a Violation of the Sherman antitrust
law, according to able attorneys, the
report states.
The report was unanimously ap-
proved by full personnel of the com
mittee, which includes. besides DR.
Copeland. DR.. Herman NJ. Biggs, State
1Ar of o