Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-03-09
THURSDAY, MARCH 9. 1922.
PROGRESS TOWARDS MILK
REGULATION

The action taken by the dairy
men at last Tuesdays meeting
in endorsing the proposed milk
ordinance, with certain minor
changes, is another big step to-
ward the goal OF milk protection
for Annapolis. The next step Is
for the CITY Council to take, and
it will doubtless be done IN the
same favorable spirit shown by
the dairymen.
When the proposed ordinance
was first presented, and ON every
subsequent occasion when II has
been mentioned, emphasis was
laid on the point that this par
ticular measure was. not offered
as a perfect instrument, or that
its phraseology and provisions eX-
actly fitted local conditions. On
the contrary. it was transmitted
by the Rotary Club to the City
Council with the suggestion that
full and open public discussion Of
il be invited and such modiica-
tons in the original draft be
made as best suited this locality.
The main point was to preserve
the idea of a protected milk sup
ply. The form and phraseology
of the regulations TO this effect
are matters OF detail. and are
only incidental to the main pur-
pose.
In arriving at the desired goal,
however, the only definite and
concrete measure yet before the
public is the proposed ordinance
that was submitted as the start
ing point. That this measure. as
submitted. has come SO close to
meeting the requirements, as de
termined by the dairymen them
selves after a thorough investi-
CATION of its provisions. is an en-
couraging indication that any OBJ
jections as to procedure can be
overcome without much dlth-
Guilty.
1t is Uncomfortable that there
could be any objection, except on
this ground of procedure or OF
ways and means. If the dairy
men are willing to give pro-
tected milk supply, the consum-
ers would surely be willing to
accept it. Likewise, the city gov
Crnment would undoubtedly wei
come the opportunity to place to
its credit such an enlightened and
progressive piece of legislation.
1t NAV be determined. however.
that the proposed ordinance. even
with the amendments suggested
by the dairymen. is possibly too
elaborate or too expensive for a
city like Annapolis Therefore.
the point narrowS down to the
wording and provisions of some
ordinance that will preserve the
main idea that has all along been
embodied in the proposition sub
mitted by the Rotary Club. This
is the point with which the City
Council is called upon to deal.
and it is TO be expected that at
the monthly meeting to be held
next Monday steps will be taken
for bringing this ordinance out OF
committee. having further public
discussion of it, and then having
a re-draft or substitute ready for
final action at the April meeting
of the Council
1t is a matter which should
have. and will stand. the closest
study and scrutiny, and which,
should be approached as a matter
OF civic welfare in the broadcast
spirit. There can now be hardly
any dissent from the proposition
that some municipal regulation of
the milk supply is desirable and
should be enacted without undue
delay. To reject this main prop
osition after the dairymen them
selves have gone so far in en-
dorsing 1t. would. apart from all
other considerations, be a most
decided reactionary step. the
moral effect OF which would be