New-York tribune., 1922-03-26
o the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: One Of the bills jammed through
the State Legislature on one Of the
closing days, known as the Ferris
SKINNED milk bill, is now before
Governor Miller for his signature or
veto. Despite strong protests made
against this bill it was put through by
the farm bloc with little or no op-
position in either House or Senate.
This bill forbids the manufacture or
sale of SKINNED milk compounds ad-
mittedly wholesome and nutritious
food-except in tcn-pound packages,
which obviously viii reduce if not en-
tirely wipe out its sale to home con
sumers and conGne it to the use of
bakers and confectionels.
We are informed that the Wisconsin
case will be argued about April 15 and
decis ION may be expected about May
/. 1t world seem to us that it would
be folly for the State of New York to
adopt similar bill before decision
has been announced in Wisconsin, as it
might cost this state great deal Of
money to defend the measure, as it has
already cost the state Of Wisconsin
considerable sum.
Our objection to the bill is based
not only on the feeling that it would
be wiser to await the decision of the
Wisconsin Supreme Court as to
the constitutionaity of tho measure
adopted by that state, but upon the
facts regarding the undcsirability of
such legislation which have been sub
mtted by various food experts genu
inely interested in the public.
A committee of the American Public
Health Association, Of which Professor
n. c. Sherman of Columbia University
is chairman, sees no menace in dried
milk preparations and recommends a
wider distribution Of them both for
reasons Of health and economies.
Pointing ont that the increasing Of
the milk supply of cities and towns by
bringing fresh milk from greater dis
tanccs must necessarily add to the cost,
1t is suggested that the seasonabIc
surplus of milk prod Iced in the market
milk areas should be preserved by con
dcnsing, evaporatinG or drying to
larger extent than at present, Such
preserved forms of milk (cither as such
or after being "remade" to the COM
position Of fresh milk "shall play an
increasingly important role in the food
supply Of the future
This committee reports that the
United States Public Health Service
his found highly favorable results
from the use of dry milk products in
infant feeding. The committee refers
to the convention of the international
Association Of the. Dairy and Milk in
spcctors in April, 1919, at which G. &,
Taylor, market milk specialist of the
, dairy division, United States Depart
mcnt of Agriculture, discussed "the
effects Of remadc milk on the dairy in
dustry.' basing his report upon letters
received from heads Of dairy depart
4ltHtS III lHt Stdic dGl4tttLQi-l Cpl-
leres, to whom he had written asking
for an expression of opinion. The
great majority Of these heads Of dairy
departments ] eQorted their belief that
tho powdered milk industry viii be a
benefit to the dairy industry and to
agriculture in general, as stated in the
following reasons:
Ca) 1t viii help to stabilize the mar
let for dairy products.
OBJ 1t viii help solve tho problem of
surplus milk.
(c) 1t will create the use Of milk
generally, especially in countries where,
on account of climatic conditions, the
use of milk has been restricted.
CD 1t will not compete directly with
the market milk industry, but will be