Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-11
MILK ORDINANCE
WILL Be MODIFIED
Dealers Tell City Council the
A raharns Ordinance is
Too Drastic.

City Council, in committee OF the
whole, last night, ordered modification OF
Councilman Abrahams proposed mix
ordinance and for that purpose referred
il to the health committee OF Council,
Health Commissioner Chester IA. Wells,
DR. Hiram =. Ewes, three farmers to be
selected by farmers and three milk re-
tailers to be selected by milk retailers.
Councilman Abrahams will notify the
conference when to meet.
Milk dealers discussed the proposed
ordinance last night and expressed the
opinion that it is too drastic. Counch-
man Abrahams told them 1t had been
approved by the Department OF Agneui-
ture at Washington, ID. c., and Chester
III. Wells said it is similar TO the mix
ordinances of New York and other large
cities.
Frank Yearsley, president of the
Farmers Milk NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. stated
it has 200 members and % per cent oil
the membership sends milk to Whining
ton. He admitted tuberculosis is prevalent
among cows in New Castle county and
said there are but four herds in Delaware
that are not affected by the disease. He
Thought the animals failing to react are
not in dangerous condition. He objected
TO pasteurizing milk, saying there are
but two pasteurizing plants IN Whining
ton. He predicted the price OF milk would
advance TO 30 cents per quart IT farmers
were compelled to rebuild barns.
Charles p. Dickey, secretary OF the
Farmers Milk Producers Association,
disliked the provision requiring that milk
be kept at temperature of 90 degrees
and stated few farmers have ice houses
or spring houses. He objected to the
tuberculin test because of the cost.
Commenting on cleanliness OF laborers,
he said farmers would be glad TO get
help of any kind, but it is scarce; II a
farmer told a laborer to go to the house
and get dressed at milking time, the
iaborer would say take your dairy and
20 to the devil"
Wesley Maclary a director OF the
Farmers Milk Producers Association,
stated none of its members would sell
milk unfit for consumption. lie objected
to condemnation of cattle slightly affected
by tuberculosis and thought farmers
should be compensated Tor animals con-
denned. He believed farmers favor rem
edving conditions, but did not think the
proposed ordinance would benefit pro-
ducers or consumers.
George W. Weldin, who has been a
milk retailer for 30 years, said he rs trying
to reduce prices by discontinuIng the use
OF bottles. He objected to testing and
condemninr COWS. With the Brandywlne
full of sediment, dumped from mills, he
thought Wilmington's drinking water is
moro dangerous to health than milk. He
stated he would have to change his busi-
ness IL the proposed ordinance ~~were
passed. IL retailers were driven out
Il. hnsr
would increase prices.
Ezekiel Dawson, a farmer, SAID there IS
more scare than tuberculosis. Few
dairies could produce certified milk
profi,ably. Not more than 10 per cent of
the farmers could comply with the pro-
vision relating TO barns.
George l.. Denney, a milk shipper,
stated farmers are trying 10 produce clean
milk. He said some houses In Wilmington
are filthy and the Board OF Health should
have them cleaned instead of attacking
farmers.
ID. 5. Klair. a farmer, sarcasticallv
remarked that his mother. aged 81 years
is healthy Notwithstanding she drinks
milk. He was told there IS n difference
between country milk and city milk. He
complained of daylight saving and said
farmers now rise at 3 o clock in the morn
ing and soon will be compelled to rise at e.
Health Commissioner Wells suggested
that the Legislature be asked to compen-
safe for cattle condemned lie said GO
TO 20 per cent of tubercular glands in
children is due to milk. Infantie death
rate in New York is much less than in
Wilmington. More precautions have to
be taken with raw milk than pasteurized
milk
James Reynolds, a farmer, asked who
would pay for pastcurizing milk.
Mr.. Wells replied that the public would
pay more for a better article.
Replying to another question, Mr..
Wells stated a small quantity of orange
juice is used to prevent pasteurized milk
producing scurvy in babies. He said
LOO children under one year of age
died in Wilmington during the last five
years. 4 large percentage died from
cholera infantum. but Wilmington must
guard against tuberculosis. There would
be many more deaths if milk wer enot
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