The Washington times., 1920-04-10
CLAIMS SM|LK ASSN:
SETSPR|CES IND.C.
Attorney at House Hearing
Reads Letter to Producers Of
Maryland and Virginia.

OIL Detore tne HOUSE Dlstfict SuV
today were intsrrupted By
tried to force an admission from Dr.
Harvey w. Wiley that the Virginia
Maryland MIX Producers Association
nxes the price OF milk sold in Wash
inston,
The upshot OF a sharp controversy
involving the practices OF the milk
producers was that CongTessman
Walters, In charge OF the hearings,
told Mr.. Darr he would be given OPP
portuBity at another time 20 10 into
the commereisl aspects OF tbs, milk
situation in the District
When DR.. Wiley, who II on; the leg
iklstive COMMITTEES OF, the Virginia
Maryland association. resumed his
testimony this morning, Mr.. Dsrr said
he would like to Ssk the wtnsss
about the practice OF the association
which has bsen charged with fSing
the price OF WashinEtcn milk. .
Fors.ss fer rrstsetisa.
In reply TO questiops. DR.. Wiley
said his association had been formed
to protect the legitimate Interests OF
its 700 members.
He explained that after the commit
tee studies the cost OF production and
that the price asked by the sssocia-
tion Is fixed at cost plus 10 per cent,
which he believes was perfectly legit-
innate.
Mr.. Darr. who said he. represents l..
H. Black and other shippers, then
read a letter sent to members OF the
tary, George Y. Booker, jr,. In which
he attempted 10 bring out that the
association insists on q fixed tax.
In this letter, dated March IL, 1918,
the association warned members that
certain dealers by cutting the price
OF milk as fixed by the association
were reducing the Wholesale cost in
Washington. 49,
Ask Price ASAsres Ts..
The letter called upon members to
insist upon the price prescribed by
the association and to report sthose
who sell at o. lower price. ~
{ IT certain dealers are permitted
to cut prices others VIII hayeste aud
producers will suffer" the letter
stated in rart. 1t went on to tell
members to ''stand by the dealer who
stands by you."
DIR. Wiley declared he had things to
do other than Legislative matters con-
nectsd with the association, but said
he believed the contents of the letter
ana pClt0tCQ SuCH u Stuuo WSS Joot.
Congressman Moore Of Virginia and
others tried to sidetrack the question
OF price nxing but Mr.. Darr insisted
that the commercial aspect would have
to be considered byNthe committee in
framing any Legislation. After . con-
sultation IL was decided to go on with
the hearings and leave that question
for smother time.
DR.. Wiley went into the question
Of grading OF milk, He said he was
heartily in favor of grading, and
stated that unless adequate provis-
ions were made for enforcement 1t
Fowler Fer Tests.
The early part of the hearings this
morning were devoted to a discussion
of the various sanitary conditions
under which milk should be sold in
the District.
DR.. w. c. Fowler, District Health
Officer, took a determined stand in
favor of tubercular tests. To clint
nate these tests he claimed would be
a long step backwards in the proper
safeguard of health. Government ex-
perts were practically agreed that the
additional cost of pasteurizatton
would further safeguard health, and
declared that the milk could not be
made too safe.
DR.. Kelly. of the Department OF
Agriculture. said that pasteurfzation
should not be urged at the expense OF
tubercular tests nor should tubercular
tests be urged at the expense of pas
teurization. By taking the most pre-
cautions the greatest safety to the
milk supply can be secured, he said.
The sale of certified raw milk pro-
vided in the Fowler bill was reas-
enable safeguard, he said. but he did
not believe the milk would be as safe